Identifying The New Testament Church
In setting forth the distinguishing and identifying characteristics of the New Testament church, it should be kept in mind by the reader that we are not concerned with what a church or group of churches may be practicing with reference to New Testament marks of identity, and who claim for themselves the distinction of being the "New Testament church." Certainly there are many it the denominational world along with some of those churches who still wear the God-given name that have lost all right to such claims. Modern religious bodies with their practices are not our standard of measurement in determining what the New Testament church is. One cannot afford to hold to a thing just because he happens to be a member of it, regardless of Bible teaching. Honesty, and a desire to serve God acceptably must be the motive by which men are moved in making a choice as to what to do or be religiously. It is only within the bounds of divine sanction that God is acceptably worshipped and served; and it is only within these bounds that we can determine what the true church of Christ is. Thus, irregardless of what "I" or my parents were religiously, the word of God is still the standard by which one may determine for sure what is truth.
Another outstanding characteristic of the New Testament church is that it has definite and specific conditions of membership. Wherever you find gospel preaching in the first century you will find these conditions so clear cut and well defined that one is astounded at the simplicity with which God gave this part of His law to man. Peter did not give one plan by which men could be saved, and Paul a different plan. Visualize if you can, Peter on Pentecost preaching baptism for the remission of sins, and Paul at Antioch preaching salvation by faith only! Such is not the case. Wherever churches were established and men became members of it under their preaching they all did the same things. Every New Testament example bears out this fact. Every recorded conversion in the Bible bears out, either by special mention or necessary inference that in order to salvation from past sins men did the following: (1) Believed in Christ. (Acts 16:31) (2) Repented of sins. (Acts 17:30; Lk. 13:3) (3) By confession of Christ as the Son of God. (Rom. 10:10; Acts 8:37) (4) Were baptized unto the remission of sins. (Acts 2:38) Let's look at the recorded conversions to see if they bear out the above.
The first one we find in recorded in Acts 2. Beginning with verse 14 we are told briefly what Peter preached to a multitude of Jews in Jerusalem. He emphasized to them that they had crucified the Son of God. That the one they crucified, God had raised from the dead; and that he had become both Lord and Christ. From verse 36 throughout the chapter Luke records their reaction. They, when they heard these things were "pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? Then Peter said unto them: Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." Verse 42 says that they "that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls." Then verse 47 says "the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved." Does this harmonize with the "conditions" named in the preceding paragraph? Let us see. Did the people believe? It doesn't specifically say that these people believed; but will anyone doubt for a moment that that did? Would they have asked the question "what shall we do," had they not believed? Certainly not! Thus, even though "believe" is not specifically mentioned it is necessarily inferred. Their faith prompted their question.
Did they repent? Peter specifically mentions repentance for they were commanded to repent. We know that they repented, for they obeyed. Their obedience was not repentance but was the fruit of it. Repentance is a change of mind or will, and obedience is the result of one changing one's mind. This is the reason it is impossible for one to repent before he believes, as some teach. He must hear or observe something that will make him change his mind, or repent. These people heard the preaching of Christ; it caused them to believe, and their faith caused them to repent or change their mind regarding him.
What about confession? As with faith, it says nothing specifically about them confessing, but certainly it is implied. We know that "whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven" (Matt. 10:32); and that confession is made "with the mouth." (Rom. 10:10) However, to say that each of these people made a "formal" confession as is practiced in the church today, cannot be proved. To confess simply means to acknowledge. These people acknowledged Christ as the Son of God when they asked the question, "what shall we do." For one to publicly confess that "Jesus is the Son of God" is certainly not out of order, therefore, it is practiced in the church today. But these people did confess.
Then they were baptized. Verse 42, "they that gladly received his word were baptized." Thus they were saved. Please observe that faith, repentance, confession or baptism did not save them, but that the Lord saved them. He saved them because they did what he told them to do; and if men are saved today it will be because they do what the Lord has told them to do. Do we have other recorded conversions that will harmonize with this? Let us see.
In Acts 8 is another example of what New Testament conversion is. Beginning at verse 26 the Lord instructs one of the gospel preachers of that day to a certain place. There he comes in contact with a man who has been to Jerusalem to worship, and is reading the scriptures. He is commanded to teach the man and Luke says he "preached unto him Jesus." Upon hearing the story of Jesus he demanded baptism, and the preacher said that "if thou believest with all thine heart thou mayest." The eunuch said: "I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God." Upon this confession Philip commanded the chariot to stand still and it is said, "they both went down into the water, both Philip and the eunuch: and he baptized him." Did the eunuch believe? Yes, he said he did. His repentance is necessarily inferred, for "except ye repent, ye shall perish." (Luke 13:3) Did he confess? Yes. Was he baptized?
Other examples are numerous, but for the lack of space these will have to suffice. However, every other example one may find will harmonize with the above two. The things men were required to do then God requires men to do today. They are the definite and specific conditions of membership of the New Testament church. The New Testament church today teaches them as prerequisites to salvation from past sins because God requires them. It is a characteristic by which the true church of Christ may be identified.
Let's not deceive ourselves into thinking that these things aren't necessary to salvation. Had they not been the apostles would not have preached them and required people to obey. A church that does not teach the conditions of salvation as outlined in the New Testament is not the New Testament church. If it were it would teach them.