THE ORIGIN OF DENOMINATIONS
                             Lesson Two


  I. THE NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH (Its Origin and Establishment):

     A. Formed in the mind of God as part of His eternal purpose.
        Eph. 3:10-11.

     B. The prophets foretold its coming:

        1. Daniel 2:44 (520-518 B.C.)
        2. Isaiah 2:1-5 (725-700 B.C.)
        3. Isaiah 11:1-10 (725-700 B.C.)
        4. Joel 2:28-30  (690 B.C.)

     C. Its Beginning:

        1. Christ stated His intention to build. Matt. 16:13-19.
           a. He is the builder. Heb. 8:2.
           b. He is the foundation. 1 Cor. 3:10-11.
           c. He is the head. Eph. 1:22, 23; 5:23.

        2. Peter confirms the fulfillment of Joel 2. Acts 2:16.

        3. The Church had it beginning in the city of Jerusalem
           in A.D. 30.

        4. The kingdom became a reality. Col. 1:13-14; 1 Thess 2:12;
           Rev. 1:6.

     D. Marks of Its Identity:

        1. Accepts Christ and His Word as its only authority.
           Rom. 1:16; 2 Tim. 3:16, 17.

        2. Identified by New Testament names:
           a. Individuals are Christians. Acts 11:26; 26:28;
               l Peter 4:16.
           b. Congregations are churches of Christ. Rom. 16:16.

        3. Its terms of membership:
           a. One must hear the gospel. Rom. 10:17.
           b. One must believe in Christ. Heb. 11:6.
           c. One must repent of sins. Acts 17:30; Acts 2:38.
           d. One must be baptized. Acts 2:38; 22:16; Mark 16:16.

        4. Its worship:
           a. Sing. Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16.
           b. Pray. 1 Thess. 5:17; Acts 12:12.
           c. Teach. Acts 5:42; Matt. 28:18-20.
           d. Lord's Supper. Acts 20:7; 1 Cor. 11:23-30.
           e. Give. 1 Cor. 16:1-2; 2 Cor. 9:6.

        5. Its Work:  Eph 4:12-13.
           a. Evangelism. Matt. 28:18-20.
           b. Edification. Rom. 15:14; 1 Cor. 4:14; Col. 1:28;
              Acts 20:32
           c. Limited benevolence. Acts 11:27.

        6. Its organization:
           a. Elders in each congregation. Acts 14:20; Titus 1:5;
              Phil. 1:1; 1 Tim. 3:1-7.
           b. Deacons. 1 Tim. 3:8-10; Phil. 1:1.
           c. Members who made up the congregation.
           d. Each congregation was independent and autonomous.
              Each functioned under its own oversight.
              Funds were not sent from one congregation to another,
                 except in the matter of benevolence, when one
                 congregation was not able to supply the needs of
                 that congregation. Acts 11:27-30; 1 Cor. 16:1;
                 Rom. 15:25-27.

 II. A FALLING AWAY WAS PREDICTED:  Acts 20:28-30; 1 Tim. 4:1-3;
        2 Tim. 4:2-4.

III. Conclusion:
     A. The church was established exactly as God desired it to be.
        Under the guidance of the Holy Spirit the perfect Word was
        given. That Word remains for us today.
     B. The falling away (apostasy) was slow, but sure. Unscriptural
        practices began to surface and gradually began to be
        accepted.
     C. We can see some early problems in the seven churches of Asia
        Minor. Rev. 2 & 3.
     D. We turn our attention to the history of the church and
        the falling away that was predicted.

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