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THE BEGINNING OF THE NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH
MATTHEW 16:15-18
INTRODUCTION:
- Wrong about beginning date--wrong about conditions of salvation, governing law, meaning and duty of membership.
- There have been three periods of Bible history.
- Tell when each began and ended.
- Illustrate with our history as a nation.
- God's dealing with man has always demanded the same thing--faith & obedience.
- When did the New Testament Church begin?
- PROPHECY SAID IT WOULD BE IN DAYS OF ROMAN EMPIRE. Dan. 2:44.
- It was shown to Nebuchadnezzar 600 years beforehand.
- Head of Gold - Babylonian - Dan. 2:37-40.
- Chest of Silver - Medo-Persian--Cyrus.
- Belly & Thighs of Brass--Grecian--Alexander.
- Feet & Toes of Iron mixed with Clay--Roman--31 BC-476 AD.
- John and Jesus said soon at hand - Mt. 3:1; Lk. 1:14,15.
- Apostles in it--Rev. 1:9; Col. 1:13.
- It was shown to Nebuchadnezzar 600 years beforehand.
- DEDUCTION--LIMITS THE TIME SPAN.
- It could not have been before the death of Christ.
- Or it would have been under abrogated law--Mt. 5:17-20; Col. 2:14.
- Jesus gave a new covenant--Heb. 9:15-17.
- Stone had to be tried before laid in Zion--Isa. 28:16; Rom. 1:14; Acts 4:11,12; Mk. 8:31.
- It could not have been after the Apostles.
- They spoke of the church as a reality--Col. 1:13; Mt. 16:18,19.
- I will not trust my soul to something the apostles were not members of.
- It could not have been before the death of Christ.
- REVELATION PINPOINTS THE EXACT TIME.
- Isaiah 2:1-4; Acts 2.
- Last days--Last days Acts 2:17.
- Door opened to all nations--Every nation Acts 2:39; Eph. 2:11-13.
- Law of Lord from Mt. Zion--took place on Mt. Zion.
- Word go from Jerusalem--Lk. 24:46,47; Acts 2:38.
- Mark 9:1; Acts 2.
- Kingdom not yet come.
- It was to come during lifetime of some present--none living now.
- Some would die (Jesus and Judas).
- Come with power - Lk. 24:49; Acts 1:6-8; Acts 2:1-4.
- Dan. 7:13-14 (Lk. 19:11,12; Acts 1:9; I Pet. 3:22; Eph. 1:20-22).
- Isaiah 2:1-4; Acts 2.
CONCLUSION:
- Terms of entrance set forth--here key click--Acts 2:38.
- No one has right to change--bound & loosed.
- Same Gospel--produce same results--Church of Christ.
- Luke 8.
- What if Philip had taken wheat seed to Samaria? Gen. 1:1,2; Gal. 6:7.
- Take genuine Ford parts, properly assemble them--you won't get a motorcycle!
- Submit to Peter's condition--be a member of same Church!