Systematic Theology Part 10

Ecclesiology – (What is the Church?) Listen to part 1 here and part 2 here


Definition: The Assembly
Those that have been redeemed by God in order to serve and worship Him, calling upon His name both individually and corporately this present evil age.

History of the church:

Old Testament and the church under age
The Sanctuary of God: Adam-Noah was Eden, Noah to Moses (None, but alter centered worship), Moses to David was the ark covenant and the tabernacle, David to Christ was the temple.

New Testament and church in maturity
Christ to Pentecost was Christ, Pentecost to Second Coming the cooperate body of Christ. Second Coming to endless eternity it will be the cosmos.

The Inauguration of the New Testament Church:

Pentecost the birth of New Testament of Church (see pneumatology)

The three Marks of a true Church:
Word, Sacrament and church discipline

Purpose of the Church:
Exaltation/Worship: The regulative principle of worship, not the nominative
Edification: Believer gifts and love build up the church
Evangelization: To preach the gospel to ever creature

The government of the Church:

Different views:
Episcopalianism
Presbyterianism
Congregationalism
Plurality of Elders

Offices of the Church:

Foundational/extraordinary office: Apostles, Prophets, Evangelist
Continual/ordinary office: Pastor and Teacher/Elder, deacons, Missionaries (Apostolic/evangelistic)

Qualification and duties of an Elder:
1 Tim 3:1-8, Titus 1:5-9
Qualifications and duties of a Deacon:
1 Tim 3:9-12

Means of Grace:

Word
Mark 16:16-17, Matt 28:20, 1 Cor 1:17-23
Sacraments
Lord’s supper I Cor 11:17-26, Baptism Matt 28:19, 1 Peter 3:20, Heb 8 (credo position)
The Lord’s Day
Rev 1:10, Acts 20:7, Matt 28:1 The first day of the week.
Prayer
The Lords Prayer, Submission, Worship to God. Rom 8:26 pray according to His Will.