What is a New Testament Assembly?
Throughout different parts of the world today, there are groups of Christians who are found gathered in the worthy Name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Disowning man-made organizations and man-made religious systems these assemblies of believers gather according to the teaching and principles taught in the New Testament and as practiced by the early church. Such have been in existence since the death, burial, resurrection and ascension of our blessed Lord Jesus Christ. And in Roseisle such an assembly is found.
This is a place where:
AS TO AUTHORITY: This is based on the words of the Lord Himself in Matthew 18:20, For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. It was carried out by the early disciples in Acts 2:42-47.
AS TO NAME: We are called Christians, believers, brothers, sisters, saints, etc., any of which describes those which belong to Christ. Acts 11:26; Colossians 1:2
AS TO RESPONSIBILITY: The Assembly is responsible to the risen Head, the Lord Jesus Christ, and although independent of other assemblies, there is a connecting spirit of fellowship between us. We have no organizational headquarters, no human official to represent us, nor do we have any official publications of man's creeds, writing or doctrines to which we must adhere. The Bible is our only textbook, the Holy Spirit our only guide and the Lord Jesus Christ our only head.
AS TO ORDINANCES: Two ordinances have been left for the Christian assembly to carry out, namely: baptism by immersion, and the Lord's Supper. Both of these are strictly observed in accordance with Matthew 28:19 and 1 Corinthians 11:26.
AS TO THE GOSPEL: The good news of the Gospel is preached regularly to old and young in a very simple, solemn, and soul-searching way, keeping in mind the brevity of time and length of eternity. This is in fulfillment of the Lord's command of Mark 16:15.
AS TO DISCIPLINE: This is carried out in the fear of God as is necessary, remembering the varying degrees of sin committed and dealing with such from the mild warning of Galatians 6:1 to excommunication in 1 Corinthians 5:13.
AS TO TEACHING: This is done subject to the dictates of the Holy Spirit for the benefit of old and young, both in simplicity and in depth using only the Holy Scriptures from Genesis to Revelation as the Divine guide and textbook.
AS TO ADMINISTRATION: Although there is no one pastor, the Assembly is not pastorless. Elders / overseers / pastors / shepherds and also deacons look after both the spiritual and physical welfare of the believers. These do the leading - 1 Timothy 5:17; guiding - 1Peter 5:3; feeding - Acts 20:28, and guarding - 1 Timothy 3:5, of the flock.
AS TO FINANCIAL SUPPORT: Offerings are taken each Lord's Day morning from those gathered in the Lord's name in accordance with 1Corinthians 16:2 and 2 Corinthians 9:7. This is viewed as a sacrifice well-pleasing to God, Hebrews 13:16.
This is a place where:
- The Lordship of Christ is acknowledged,
- The Person of Christ is the only center,
- The Priesthood of all believers is practiced,
- The Presidency of the Holy Spirit controls,
- The Word of God is the all-sufficient guide.
AS TO AUTHORITY: This is based on the words of the Lord Himself in Matthew 18:20, For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. It was carried out by the early disciples in Acts 2:42-47.
AS TO NAME: We are called Christians, believers, brothers, sisters, saints, etc., any of which describes those which belong to Christ. Acts 11:26; Colossians 1:2
AS TO RESPONSIBILITY: The Assembly is responsible to the risen Head, the Lord Jesus Christ, and although independent of other assemblies, there is a connecting spirit of fellowship between us. We have no organizational headquarters, no human official to represent us, nor do we have any official publications of man's creeds, writing or doctrines to which we must adhere. The Bible is our only textbook, the Holy Spirit our only guide and the Lord Jesus Christ our only head.
AS TO ORDINANCES: Two ordinances have been left for the Christian assembly to carry out, namely: baptism by immersion, and the Lord's Supper. Both of these are strictly observed in accordance with Matthew 28:19 and 1 Corinthians 11:26.
AS TO THE GOSPEL: The good news of the Gospel is preached regularly to old and young in a very simple, solemn, and soul-searching way, keeping in mind the brevity of time and length of eternity. This is in fulfillment of the Lord's command of Mark 16:15.
AS TO DISCIPLINE: This is carried out in the fear of God as is necessary, remembering the varying degrees of sin committed and dealing with such from the mild warning of Galatians 6:1 to excommunication in 1 Corinthians 5:13.
AS TO TEACHING: This is done subject to the dictates of the Holy Spirit for the benefit of old and young, both in simplicity and in depth using only the Holy Scriptures from Genesis to Revelation as the Divine guide and textbook.
AS TO ADMINISTRATION: Although there is no one pastor, the Assembly is not pastorless. Elders / overseers / pastors / shepherds and also deacons look after both the spiritual and physical welfare of the believers. These do the leading - 1 Timothy 5:17; guiding - 1Peter 5:3; feeding - Acts 20:28, and guarding - 1 Timothy 3:5, of the flock.
AS TO FINANCIAL SUPPORT: Offerings are taken each Lord's Day morning from those gathered in the Lord's name in accordance with 1Corinthians 16:2 and 2 Corinthians 9:7. This is viewed as a sacrifice well-pleasing to God, Hebrews 13:16.
Other Basic Fundamentals adhered to:
THE HOLY SCRIPTURES: Accepted and believed as God-breathed - 2 Peter 1:21; vital for every phase of the Christian's life - 2 Timothy 3:16; living and abiding forever - 1 Peter 1:23.
THE TRINITY: One eternal God existent in three equal, divine persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Matthew 28:19 & 2 Corinthians 13:14
VIRGIN BIRTH OF CHRIST: This came about by miraculous conception, Luke 1:35, which resulted in the miraculous birth through the virgin Mary, Luke 1:27-34 (this being in fulfillment of the Old Testament Scripture, Isaiah 7:14).
SINNERSHIP OF MAN: The Bible says, "All have sinned", Romans 3:23; and has concluded the "whole world guilty before God", Acts 4:12.
NEED OF SALVATION: This is best described by our Lord in John 3:7, "Ye must be born again."
CHRIST ALONE CAN SAVE: This truth has been proclaimed for over 2000 years, "Neither is there salvation in any other." Acts 4:12
ETERNAL SECURITY OF THE BELIEVER: Believers have been born into God's family, John 3:7. Eternal life is a present possession, John 3:14-15; 3:36; 5:24. Nothing can separate the believer from God's love, Romans 8:38-39. The words of Lord Himself were, "They shall never perish", John 10:27-30.
ETERNAL BLISS AND GLORY FOR THE BELIEVER: The apostle Paul looked forward to having a glorified body, 2 Corinthians 5:2-8. He also looked forward to the better part of "being with Christ", Philippians 1:21-23. Revelation 22:3-5 also further describes the future blessing of the redeemed.
ETERNAL DAMNATION OF THE UNBELIEVER: Future, eternal punishment is clearly and unmistakably taught in the Scriptures. There will therefore be righteous retribution meted out to the unbeliever - Acts 17:31, Hebrews 9:27, Revelation 20:11-15.
SIMPLICITY OF SALVATION: This is by simply believing or accepting Christ as one's Saviour, Acts 16:30-31, apart from self-righteousness, good works or religion.
THE RESURRECTION OF CHRIST: The literal, bodily, physical resurrection of Christ is believed as expounded in the Gospels. This truth was confirmed by an angel, Matthew 28:6; acknowledged by the apostles, John 20:25; and preached by the disciples, Acts 13:30.
THE RESURRECTION OF MANKIND: Our Lord spoke of a future resurrection in John 5:28. This has been confirmed by the inspired writers in 1 Corinthians 15 (for the saved) and in Revelation 20:12-13 (for the unsaved).
THE TRINITY: One eternal God existent in three equal, divine persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Matthew 28:19 & 2 Corinthians 13:14
VIRGIN BIRTH OF CHRIST: This came about by miraculous conception, Luke 1:35, which resulted in the miraculous birth through the virgin Mary, Luke 1:27-34 (this being in fulfillment of the Old Testament Scripture, Isaiah 7:14).
SINNERSHIP OF MAN: The Bible says, "All have sinned", Romans 3:23; and has concluded the "whole world guilty before God", Acts 4:12.
NEED OF SALVATION: This is best described by our Lord in John 3:7, "Ye must be born again."
CHRIST ALONE CAN SAVE: This truth has been proclaimed for over 2000 years, "Neither is there salvation in any other." Acts 4:12
ETERNAL SECURITY OF THE BELIEVER: Believers have been born into God's family, John 3:7. Eternal life is a present possession, John 3:14-15; 3:36; 5:24. Nothing can separate the believer from God's love, Romans 8:38-39. The words of Lord Himself were, "They shall never perish", John 10:27-30.
ETERNAL BLISS AND GLORY FOR THE BELIEVER: The apostle Paul looked forward to having a glorified body, 2 Corinthians 5:2-8. He also looked forward to the better part of "being with Christ", Philippians 1:21-23. Revelation 22:3-5 also further describes the future blessing of the redeemed.
ETERNAL DAMNATION OF THE UNBELIEVER: Future, eternal punishment is clearly and unmistakably taught in the Scriptures. There will therefore be righteous retribution meted out to the unbeliever - Acts 17:31, Hebrews 9:27, Revelation 20:11-15.
SIMPLICITY OF SALVATION: This is by simply believing or accepting Christ as one's Saviour, Acts 16:30-31, apart from self-righteousness, good works or religion.
THE RESURRECTION OF CHRIST: The literal, bodily, physical resurrection of Christ is believed as expounded in the Gospels. This truth was confirmed by an angel, Matthew 28:6; acknowledged by the apostles, John 20:25; and preached by the disciples, Acts 13:30.
THE RESURRECTION OF MANKIND: Our Lord spoke of a future resurrection in John 5:28. This has been confirmed by the inspired writers in 1 Corinthians 15 (for the saved) and in Revelation 20:12-13 (for the unsaved).