The Origin of the Church (Continued)

2. A FUTURE CHURCH AND A PRESENT CHURCH
1. A Future Church (Matthew 16:18And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
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1. The promise concerning the church is future.
2. He gave a time frame for this church in the passage, but we will deal with that later.
2. A Present Church (Matthew 18:15-17 [15] Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. [16] But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. [17] And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.
   See All...; Hebrews 2:12Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee.
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1. The Lord speaks of a church as though it is present tense (Matthew 18:15-17 [15] Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. [16] But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. [17] And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.
   See All...).
2. The Lord sang praise in the church (Hebrews 2:12Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee.
   See All...).
3. Nothing happened in between Matthew 16 and Matthew 18 that would lead us to believe He built His church.
4. Apparently, even while the Lord was promising to build a church, there was already a church in existence.
3. THE BEGINNING OF THE NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH
1. The Announcement of the Church (Matthew 16:18And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
   See All...)
1. I will
1. I – demonstrates the responsibility for bringing this church to pass is fully laid upon the Lord Jesus Christ.
2. Will – demonstrates that it is yet future, and that it is certain to come to pass.
2. Build – demonstrates how the church will come to be. It must be built, and it must be built by the Lord Himself.
3. My church – demonstrates possession. The “church” mentioned here cannot be any “church” until the Lord owns it.
2. The Building of the Church
1. The Lord said He would build His church.
2. The building of His church is connected to His death.
1. Jesus Christ as the “chief corner stone”
1. He was prophesied as a stone in the Old Testament (Psalm 118:22The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner.
   See All...; Isaiah 8:14And he shall be for a sanctuary; but for a stone of stumbling and for a rock of offence to both the houses of Israel, for a gin and for a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem.
   See All...; Isaiah 28:16Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste.
   See All...).
2. The Lord deals with this in the New Testament as a truth that is connected to His rejection and crucifixion (Matthew 21:42Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes?
   See All...; Mark 12:10And have ye not read this scripture; The stone which the builders rejected is become the head of the corner:
   See All...; Luke 20:17-18 [17] And he beheld them, and said, What is this then that is written, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner? [18] Whosoever shall fall upon that stone shall be broken; but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.
   See All...).
3. Simon Peter connects it to the rejection and crucifixion of the Lord Jesus (Acts 4:11This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.
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4. The Apostle Paul declares Christ to be the foundation (1 Corinthians 3:11For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
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5. Peter declares that we came to this stone and when we did we became a spiritual house (1 Peter 2:1-8 [1] Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, all evil speakings, [2] As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: [3] If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious. [4] To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious, [5] Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. [6] Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded. [7] Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, [8] And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.
   See All...).
2. Jesus Christ as the carpenter (Mark 6:3Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him.
   See All...) - As the carpenter he would have done a great deal of His work with
1. Wood (Galatians 3:13Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:
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2. Nails (John 20:25The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the LORD. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.
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3. Hammer
3. Solomon’s temple was built using timber and stone (1 Kings 5:18And Solomon's builders and Hiram's builders did hew them, and the stonesquarers: so they prepared timber and stones to build the house.
   See All...) and the Lord signified His presence in the temple by filling it with His glory (1 Kings 8:10-13 [10] And it came to pass, when the priests were come out of the holy place, that the cloud filled the house of the LORD, [11] So that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud: for the glory of the LORD had filled the house of the LORD. [12] Then spake Solomon, The LORD said that he would dwell in the thick darkness. [13] I have surely built thee an house to dwell in, a settled place for thee to abide in for ever.
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3. This is carried out in the context of Matthew 16.
1. The announcement of the church (Matthew 16:18And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
   See All...)
2. The giving of the keys of the kingdom (Matthew 16:19-20 [19] And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. [20] Then charged he his disciples that they should tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ.
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3. The announcement of the crucifixion (Matthew 16:21-23 [21] From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day. [22] Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee. [23] But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.
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3. The Purchase of the Church
1. The New Testament Church is the Lord’s – “my church” (Matthew 16:18And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
   See All...).
2. It became His by a purchase.
1. The “ church of God” was purchased with the blood of Christ (Acts 20:28Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
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2. We have been redeemed by His blood (Ephesians 1:7In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
   See All...; Colossians 1:14In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:
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3. Our eternal redemption was taken care of when the blood was placed on the mercy seat in heaven (Hebrews 9:12-14 [12] Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. [13] For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: [14] How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?
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4. The Holy Spirit is the earnest of that purchase (Ephesians 1:14Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.
   See All...).
4. The Growth of the Church (1 Corinthians 13:11-13 [11] When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. [12] For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. [13] And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.
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1. Infancy
1. Preaching only to Jews
2. Preaching the baptism of John
3. Sign gifts
2. Childhood
1. Sign gifts
2. Began to reach out to Gentiles
3. Maturity
1. Sign gifts ceased.
2. Jew and Gentiles in one body
3. The focus on faith, hope, and charity
5. The Beginning of the New Testament
1. The mediator of the testament (Hebrews 9:15And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.
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2. The offering of the testament (Hebrews 9:16-17 [16] For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. [17] For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth.
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1. The testament is present (Hebrews 9:16For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator.
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2. The testament is prepared while the testator lives (Hebrews 9:17For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth.
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3. The effect of the testament (Hebrews 9:16-17 [16] For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. [17] For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth.
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1. The death of the testator is necessary (Hebrews 9:16For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator.
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2. The testament is of force after men are dead (Hebrews 9:17For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth.
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4. The dedication of the testament (Hebrews 9:18Whereupon neither the first testament was dedicated without blood.
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6. Conclusion
1. A church was present during the earthly ministry of Christ (Matthew 18:17And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.
   See All...; Hebrews 2:12Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee.
   See All...).
2. This could not, however, be the New Testament church as the New Testament was not in effect until the death of Christ.
3. The church could not be rightfully called “my church” by Christ until He purchased it with His blood (Acts 20:28Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
   See All...).
4. This did not happen until Christ sprinkled His blood on the mercy seat in heaven which likely took place between John 20:17Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.
   See All... and Matthew 28:9And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him.
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5. We know the New Testament church began no later than Pentecost when the Lord is said to have “added” to the church (Acts 2:47Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.
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6. This would narrow the beginning of the New Testament church to some time between John 20:17Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.
   See All... and Acts 2:47Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.
   See All....