CAN YOU IDENTIFY WITH THE NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH?      BY STEVE FINNELL

The New Testament church began on the Day of Pentecost. Does the church congregation where you worship resemble the Lord's church. (Acts 2:47...And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved) (NKJV).

Acts 2:22-41......41 Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. (NKJV)
Acts 2:22-41......41 And those who believed Peter were baptized--- about 3,000 in all! (The Living Bible ---Paraphrased)

The 3000 all believed Peter when he preached Jesus as a miracle worker, and as Lord and Christ. They believed Peter when he said that God raised Jesus from the grave. They believed Peter when he told them to repent (repent means to make the intellectual commitment to turn from sin and to turn toward God) and be baptized so their sins could be forgiven. They believed Peter when he told them they would received the gift of the Holy Spirit. (That would be the indwelling of the Holy Spirit Himself.)

Is that what occurs at the church where you attend?

Acts 2:42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. (NKJV)
Acts 2:42 They joined with the other believers in regular attendance  at the apostles' teaching sessions and at the Communion service and prayer meetings. (The Living Bible---Paraphrased)

Is that what occurs at the church where you attend?

1. Is the apostles doctrine taught or is made-made church tradition taught at your church?
2. Is the apostles doctrine taught or is a semi-religious entertainment session presented, with skits, jokes, and or a secular a perspective of God's teaching? Is the gospel presented as an alternative, or the only way of salvation? Is sin preached as sin and then apologized for, or is sin simply not mentioned?
3. Is communion offered every Lord's Day, or is it offered monthly, yearly?(Acts 20:7...on the first day of the week...)
4. Is regular attendance encouraged, or is Easter, Christmas, and a few Sundays a year deemed to be sufficient? (Hebrews 10:25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.) (NKJV)
5. Is prayer an import part of the church you attend?

DOES YOUR CHURCH LOOK LIKE THE NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH?