The word church in the Bible comes from the Greek word ekklesia. The word means a called-out assembly.

 

1 Thessalonians 4:16-17  |  Acts 9:31

 

How did you become part of a particular church?

 

You were baptized into the membership of that church.

1 Corinthians 12:13  |  Acts 2:41

 

You remained a member of that local church by continually assembling with that assembly.

 

When you left that assembly and moved to another location you were sent with letters of recommendation.

Acts 18:24-27  |  2 Corinthians 3:1

 

This was how the family of God operated and how local churches spread.

 

A local church had three groups of people

• The saints – the general member
• The bishops – pastors and elders
• Deacons – servants in the church

 

Philippians 1:1

 

These churches had six distinctive features that made them church.

 

Churches

The word means assemble

There is no church unless there is an assembly

The church cannot forsake assembly

Hebrews 10:24-25  |  Acts 2:1

 

When the church assembles together in one accord the power of the Holy Spirit is present

 

Churches

From the very creation of man, God said, “it is not good that man should be alone.”

Genesis 2:18

 

When Jesus sent His disciples out to preach, He sent them two and two

Luke 10:1

 

The church must not forsake fellowship because we need to encourage one another

Hebrews 10:24-25

 

John tells us that when we have fellowship with one another

1 John 1:3-4

 

That is why I say – go out together after the assembly

 

That is why we have church socials

 

Churches Together

Acts 4:31

 

Every time early churches met, they prayed

 

The Laodicean church did not pray and Jesus was left out

 

Jesus was knocking on the door to get in

Revelation 3:20

 

When a true church of God is meeting together, they are meeting with Jesus and the Devil hates that

Matthew 18:20

 

Churches Together

Ephesians 5:18-19

 

The church is told to get together and praise God with music

Acts 2:47

 

The first church praised God together

Psalm 150

 

Collective praise is a command

• It brings God’s presence!

Psalm 22:3

• It makes you aware of God’s power

Psalm 150:2

• It increases your faith in God

Psalm 149:2-4

 

Churches God’s Word Together

 

The first church preached the Apostles doctrine

Acts 2:42

 

God gives gifted men to churches to preach the Word

Ephesians 4:11-12

 

• God instructs pastors to preach the Word

2 Timothy 4:2-4

 

Churches

Acts 9:31

 

Churches Multiply:

• When churches assemble
• When they fellowship
• When they pray together
• When they praise together
• When they study God’s Word together
• When they multiply

 

If he can keep us from meeting together, he can quench the Spirit and power of God