He is HEAD - Eph. 5:23

For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, He Himself being the Savior of the body.

He is LAWGIVER - Acts 2:36

Therefore let all the house of Israel know for certain that God has made Him both Lord and Christ-- this Jesus whom you crucified.

He is SAVIOR - Eph. 5:23

For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, He Himself being the Savior of the body.

When Did Jesus Christ Establish His Church??

The Kingdom of Christ = the church.........the church of Christ is His Kingdom

All prophecies of the coming kingdom are fulfilled in the church (when, where, & how it was to be established).

NOTICE: Isaiah 2, Isaiah 62, Joel 2, Daniel 2, etc. refer to a kingdom that would come in Jerusalem, the law would come from Jerusalem, It would be at the time of the Roman kings, (a time referred to as "the last days") ---- To make sure that we didn't miss the point, Peter declared when the church was established on Pentecost .........Acts 2:16-17 but this is what was spoken of through the prophet Joel: 'AND IT SHALL BE IN THE LAST DAYS,' God says, 'THAT I WILL POUR FORTH OF MY SPIRIT UPON ALL MANKIND; AND YOUR SONS AND YOUR DAUGHTERS SHALL PROPHESY,"....etc.

Jesus declared that the kingdom would come in the lifetime of those He was addressing (Mark 9:1) And He was saying to them, "Truly I say to you, there are some of those who are standing here who shall not taste death until they see the kingdom of God after it has come with power.".....The kingdom came, with power, on the first Jewish Pentecost following the resurrection of Christ. (Acts chaps. 1 & 2)

Jesus used the terms kingdom & church interchangeably

Matthew 16:18-19, "And I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades shall not overpower it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven."

The apostles spoke of the kingdom being in existence; and that we are put into it by becoming Christians.

Col. 1:13, "For He delivered us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son,"

Jesus established His church AFTER Hades tried but failed to hold it builder -

Matt. 16:18--And I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades shall not overpower it.

Acts 2:31--he looked ahead and spoke of the resurrection of the Christ, that HE WAS NEITHER ABANDONED TO HADES, NOR DID His flesh SUFFER DECAY.

Jesus established His church while Apostles Lived -

Mk. 9:1-- And He was saying to them, "Truly I say to you, there are some of those who are standing here who shall not taste death until they see the kingdom of God after it has come with power."

Jesus established His church when H/S & Power Came -

Mk. 9:1--- And He was saying to them, "Truly I say to you, there are some of those who are standing here who shall not taste death until they see the kingdom of God after it has come with power."

Acts 1:8 --- but you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth."

Acts 2:1-4 ---And when the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a noise like a violent, rushing wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. And there appeared to them tongues as of fire distributing themselves, and they rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit was giving them utterance.

Jesus established His church when the word of the Lord went forth from Jerusalem -

Isa. 2:2-3; Now it will come about that In the last days, The mountain of the house of the LORD Will be established as the chief of the mountains, And will be raised above the hills; And all the nations will stream to it. And many peoples will come and say, "Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, To the house of the God of Jacob; That He may teach us concerning His ways, And that we may walk in His paths." For the law will go forth from Zion, And the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.

Lk. 24:47--- and that repentance for forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in His name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem.

What is the ORGANIZATION of the Lord's church??

Its Head is in Heaven

Eph. 1:19-21--and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead, and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age, but also in the one to come.

Eph. 4:8-10 --- Therefore it says, "WHEN HE ASCENDED ON HIGH, HE LED CAPTIVE A HOST OF CAPTIVES, AND HE GAVE GIFTS TO MEN." (Now this expression, "He ascended," what does it mean except that He also had descended into the lower parts of the earth? He who descended is Himself also He who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things.)

Its Law is From Heaven

Eph. 1:22--- And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church,

Eph. 4:11-16--- And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fulness of Christ. As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves, and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him, who is the head, even Christ, from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by that which every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.

Rom. 8:2--- For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death.

It Serves Under Heaven

Eph. 5:23-24--- For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, He Himself being the Savior of the body. But as the church is subject to Christ, so also the wives ought to be to their husbands in everything.

Its Worship is Toward Heaven

John 4:24 ---God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth."

What is the DOCTRINE of the Lord's church??

Christ is the Lawgiver---Eph. 4:7-16---
But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ's gift. Therefore it says, "WHEN HE ASCENDED ON HIGH, HE LED CAPTIVE A HOST OF CAPTIVES, AND HE GAVE GIFTS TO MEN." (Now this expression, "He ascended," what does it mean except that He also had descended into the lower parts of the earth? He who descended is Himself also He who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things.) And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fulness of Christ. As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves, and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him, who is the head, even Christ, from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by that which every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.

Eph. 5:24 --- But as the church is subject to Christ, so also the wives ought to be to their husbands in everything.

The Holy Spirit is the Revealer --- 1 Cor. 2:13---
which things we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words.;

Eph. 3:1-6--- For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles-- if indeed you have heard of the stewardship of God's grace which was given to me for you; that by revelation there was made known to methe mystery, as I wrote before in brief. And by referring to this, when you read you can understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, which in other generations was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed to His holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit; to be specific, that the Gentiles are fellow heirs and fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel,

The Apostles' Teaching is its Manual - Acts 2:42---And they were continually devoting themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.;

Eph. 2:20---having been built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone,

What is the WORK of the Lord's church??

Preaching the Gospel - Supporting the men who labor in preaching the word.

1 Thess. 1:8 --- For the word of the Lord has sounded forth from you, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith toward God has gone forth, so that we have no need to say anything.

2 Cor. 11:8--I robbed other churches taking wages from them to serve you;

Phil. 4:14-18 --- Nevertheless, you have done well to share with me in my affliction. And you yourselves also know, Philippians, that at the first preaching of the gospel, after I departed from Macedonia, no church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving but you alone; for even in Thessalonica you sent a gift more than once for my needs. Not that I seek the gift itself, but I seek for the profit which increases to your account. But I have received everything in full, and have an abundance; I am amply supplied, having received from Epaphroditus what you have sent, a fragrant aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God.

Providing for its own Needy

Acts 4:34-35 --- For there was not a needy person among them, for all who were owners of land or houses would sell them and bring the proceeds of the sales, and lay them at the apostles' feet; and they would be distributed to each, as any had need.

Acts 6:1-7--- Now at this time while the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint arose on the part of the Hellenistic Jews against the native Hebrews, because their widows were being overlooked in the daily serving of food. And the twelve summoned the congregation of the disciples and said, "It is not desirable for us to neglect the word of God in order to serve tables. But select from among you, brethren, seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may put in charge of this task. But we will devote ourselves to prayer, and to the ministry of the word." And the statement found approval with the whole congregation; and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch. And these they brought before the apostles; and after praying, they laid their hands on them. And the word of God kept on spreading; and the number of the disciples continued to increase greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were becoming obedient to the faith.

1 Tim. 5:16--- If any woman who is a believer has dependent widows, let her assist them, and let not the church be burdened, so that it may assist those who are widows indeed.

Edifying Itself

Eph. 4:11-16 --- And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fulness of Christ. As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves, and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him, who is the head, even Christ, from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by that which every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.

Is Your Church Working the Works of God or Men??

What is the WORSHIP of the Lord's church??

Communion

1 Cor. 10:6 --- Is not the cup of blessing which we bless a sharing (Communion) in the blood of Christ? Is not the bread which we break a sharing (Communion) in the body of Christ?

11:20-30 --- Therefore when you meet together, it is not to eat the Lord's Supper, for in your eating each one takes his own supper first; and one is hungry and another is drunk. What! Do you not have houses in which to eat and drink? Or do you despise the church of God, and shame those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I praise you? In this I will not praise you. For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus in the night in which He was betrayed took bread; and when He had given thanks, He broke it, and said, "This is My body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of Me." In the same way He took the cup also, after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in My blood; do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me." For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until He comes. Therefore whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner, shall be guilty of the body and the blood of the Lord. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For he who eats and drinks, eats and drinks judgment to himself, if he does not judge the body rightly. For this reason many among you are weak and sick, and a number sleep.

Acts 20:7 --- And on the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul began talking to them, intending to depart the next day, and he prolonged his message until midnight.

Singing

Eph. 5:18-19 --- And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord;

Col. 3:16 --- Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God.

Praying

Acts 2:42 --- And they were continually devoting themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

1 Thess. 5:17 --- pray without ceasing

1 Thess. 5:25 --- Brethren, pray for us.

Giving

1 Cor. 16:1-2 --- Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I directed the churches of Galatia, so do you also. On the first day of every week let each one of you put aside and save, as he may prosper, that no collections be made when I come.

2 Cor. 9:7 --- Let each one do just as he has purposed in his heart; not grudgingly or under compulsion; for God loves a cheerful giver.

Teaching

Acts 2:42 --- And they were continually devoting themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

1 Tim.3:15 --- but in case I am delayed, I write so that you may know how one ought to conduct himself in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and support of the truth.

What is the PLAN OF SALVATION

that Jesus has established for His church?

Hear the word of the Gospel

Rom. 10:17 --- So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.

Acts 18:8 --- And Crispus, the leader of the synagogue, believed in the Lord with all his household, and many of the Corinthians when they heard were believing and being baptized.

Believe the Gospel

Acts 18:8 --- And Crispus, the leader of the synagogue, believed in the Lord with all his household, and many of the Corinthians when they heard were believing and being baptized.

1 Cor. 1:2 --- to the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus, saints by calling, with all who in every place call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours:

Mk. 16:16 --- "He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned.

Repent of Their Sins

Acts 2:38 --- And Peter said to them, "Repent, and let each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Acts 2:47 --- praising God, and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.

Confess the Christ

Acts 8:37 --- And Philip said, "If you believe with all your heart, you may." And he answered and said, "I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God."

Rom. 10:10 --- for with the heart man believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.

AND: Are Baptized

Buried - Rom. 6:4 --- Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, in order that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.

In Water - Acts 8:36-39 --- And as they went along the road they came to some water; and the eunuch said, "Look! Water! What prevents me from being baptized?" And Philip said, "If you believe with all your heart, you may." And he answered and said, "I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God." And he ordered the chariot to stop; and they both went down into the water, Philip as well as the eunuch; and he baptized him. And when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord snatched Philip away; and the eunuch saw him no more, but went on his way rejoicing.

Acts 10:47 --- "Surely no one can refuse the water for these to be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we did, can he?"

To Wash Away Their Sins - Acts 22:16 --- 'And now why do you delay? Arise, and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on His name.'

To Be Saved - 1 Pet. 3:2 --- And corresponding to that, baptism now saves you-- not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a good conscience-- through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,

For the Remission of Sins - Acts 2:38 --- And Peter said to them, "Repent, and let each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Into Christ - Gal. 3:27 --- For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.

Into the One Body - the Church - 1 Cor. 12:13 --- For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.

The CHURCH

Purposed by Heaven's Wisdom

Eph. 3:10-11 --- in order that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known

through the church to the rulers and the authorities in the heavenly places. This was in

accordance with the eternal purpose which He carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord,

Purchased by Heaven's Love

Eph. 5:25 --- Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her;

Acts 20:28 --- "Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.

Kept by Heaven's Grace

Rom. 5:2 --- through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God.;

Eph. 1:7 --- In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace,

Heb. 4:16 --- Let us therefore draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and may find grace to help in time of need.

And It Will Go to Heaven

1 Peter 1:4 --- to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you,

Col. 1:5 --- because of the hope laid up for you in heaven, of which you previously heard in the word of truth, the gospel,