Thematic Studies In Bible Basics Lesson 1 - Bible Study Guides

First Principles Of The Oracles Of God
Lesson 9
The Church Of The Lord – Its Work
The work of the church of Christ is easily identifiable from the Scripture. It is here that many churches
(those built by men as well as churches of Christ who have a “liberal” view of the Bible) go astray. These
churches involve themselves in works for which there is no authority. One of the passages that comes to
mind is one we’ve examined previously…Mt. 7:21-23.
The main point always to be remembered…the church is a Divine institution. Therefore, her work or her
“mission” is equally Divine. The church is not a political or social institution; it is a spiritual one. Her
concern is not the entertainment or physical needs of people but the saving of souls.
Simply put, the church’s work is three-fold. All 3 of these important works can be established and
substantiated by multiple passages from the Scripture.
11) EVANGELISM => the primary work of the Lord’s church
How do the following passages show the universal need of salvation?
Rom. 3:9-10, 23
Gal. 3:22
Eph. 2:1, 12
How does the gospel rectify this? (Rom. 1:16; 1 Cor. 15:1-4)
Be able to connect Jn. 8:31-32 & 1 Tim. 3:14-15 with this work.
How do the following passages illustrate the church’s involvement in evangelism?
Acts 13:1-3; 14:26-27
2 Cor. 11:8-9
Phil. 1:3-5; 4:14-16
We need to understand how local churches support gospel preaching. It is in this area where
departures from the Biblical pattern have occurred in the past & continue to occur.
Support of the gospel locally => 1 Cor 9:3-18; cp. Acts 18:1-3
Support of the gospel in other places => 2 Cor. 11:7-9; Phil 4:10-16
What is the pattern shown in these passages?
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