1. ECCLESSIOLOGY: THE DOCTRINE OF
THE CHURCH (Part 2)
INTERNATIONAL BIBLE BAPTIST
CHURCH, BANGKOK THAILAND
SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON, FEBRUARY
16, 2014

2. I) LOCAL CHURCH
>A) We baptists believe that Jesus established a local church. This sets us apart from
many cults like the Catholic Church, the Mormons, the Jehovah’s Witnesses and
others who have a form or heirarchy in their churches. We do not see Jesus or the
Apostles talk about “the church” but “churches”.
B) We can see in the New Testament that the pastor has the highest position in the
church and no one pastor was above another pastor.

3. c) Where did the idea of hierarchy come
from?
A) In the early church in
Jerusalem, the membership rose
to as many as 50,000 believers of
different nationalities. So a lot of
errors were creeping in. One
error was that some pastors
began to assume authority over
other pastors but that was not
given to them.(III John 9). They
began to lord over God’s heritage.
Another error was about
baptismal regeneration. The Jews
and pagans were taught to put
much emphasis on ceremonials.
So that doctrine that baptism
could save was decreed.

4. D) So when they believed that baptism can save, they also concluded that baptism
should start as early as possible. So came the doctrine of infant baptism. There was
not one infant that was baptized before A.D 370. And because infants were to be
baptized they thought that immersion would be difficult for the babies so they opted
for sprinkling and pouring just to “symbolize” baptism. Another incident was when
an emperor of the Roman Empire, Constantine the Great, in A.D. 313 dreamed
about a fiery red cross and on that cross was written “By this thou shalt conquer.”
So he became the leader of the church and of the state. He wanted Christianity to be
embraced by the people so he ordered that the goddess Diana and Nimrod will be
replaced by Mary and the infant child Jesus, the pagan practices became
incorporated to the Christian faith such as praying with the rosary, processions,
feasts, prayers for the dead, gift giving during Nimrod’s birthday.

5. II) Universal Church
A) Because the people rejected
the idea of a local church and
the pastors met together to
form doctrines, the church
became a hierarchy. This gave
birth to the Catholic Church. So
all churches would have the
same sermon, the same Bible
reading, the same theme, etc.
Later on the
Mormons, Jehovah’s
Witnesses, the Iglesia ni Cristo
adapted this kind of church
government. This is what we
call the universal, invisible
church.

6. B) But we baptists believe
that the Universal Church
is not in existence yet.
We believe that at the end
of time, when all
Christians are in heaven,
then we will be part of the
universal, visible church
II) PURPOSE OF THE
CHURCH
A) TO worship God and to
glorify Him on the earth
Eph. 1:4-6
B) To evangelize the world
with the gospel Mat. 28:19,20

7. 1) If the church is more
concerned with
concerts, physical
exercise, language
study, musical
recordings, activities such as
cantatas, etc. than with winning
souls, discipleship, encouragem
ent of the brethren during times
of trouble then the church is not
doing its primary purpose which
is the great commission.
Teachings such as giving, music
seminars, family life
seminars, teaching Sunday
School, are good but if they
become more important than
evangelization then the church
is not doing its primary purpose.

8. 2) It is very important that
the pastor have a regular
evaluation of the ministries
of the church. He must see
to it that the members do
not get their focus out of
soul winning instead of
activities, business, fellowshi
ps or learning endeavors
aside from Biblical truth. It
is sad that some pastors are
willing to spend money of
endeavors other than
activities where people get
saved!

9. C) For the Perfecting
of the Saints
Ephesians 4:11-15, I Thess. 5:11, I
Cor. 12:14-31,
1) Perfecting of the saints does not
mean making the believers sinless
but it is to make them spiritually
matured. We must grow in grace
(II Peter 3:18), Col. 1:28
2) God says in Matt. 5:48, “Be ye
perfect even as your Father
which is in heaven is perfect.”
3) It is the duty of the pastor to
bring the members to maturity
by teaching the whole counsel
of God even if sometimes the
Word of God is painful or too
difficult to accept.

10. 4) God said in His Book that only the overcomers will enter the
kingdom. This does not mean that our works will save us but that
we should put our faith in Christ to practice so that we can
overcome our sins and weaknesses. Rev. 21:7, 27
5) God is preparing us to be leaders in the millenium, that’s why he
is trying to mold our character for this great responsibiity, 2 Tim
2:12

11. III) CHURCH ATTENDANCE
A) In the Old Testament,
God instituted the Sabbath
Day.
B) No one was allowed to
work on the Sabbath
Exodus 31:15
C) No one was allowed to
kindle fire or to pick up
sticks on the Sabbath Day
Exodus 35:3, Numbers
15:32
D) No one should bring
their products within the
gates on the Sabbath Day

12. E) The Sabbath was changed to the
Lord’s Day on the Resurrection of Jesus
1) There is no record that
the Apostles kept the
Sabbath day after the
resurrection but there is a
record that they kept the
Lord’s Day
I Cor.16:2, Acts 20:7
2) Believers are not
supposed to neglect the
Lord’s Day : Heb. 10:25
Going to church against all
odds is a test of the
believer’s faith and a basis
for God’s blessings

13. HOW SHOULD WE TREAT
FELLOW CHURCH MEMBERS
The Bible mentions the words”one
another “ several times.
1) Love one another:
John 13:34
2) Preferring one another
Romans 12:10
3) Receive one another
Romans 15:7
4) Admonish one another
Romans 15:14: We should be
willing to confront an erring
brother
5) Salute one another Romans
16:16
6) Greet one another: II Cor. 13:12

14. 7) Bear ye one another’s
burdens- Galatians 6:2
8) Wash each other’s feet
John 14:13
9) Be kindly-affectioned one
to another Romans 12:10
10) Serve one anotherGalatians 5:13
11) Do not deceive one
another- Lev. 19:11
12) Show mercy and
compassion one to another
Zechariah 7:9
13) Be of the same mind one
to another Romans 12:16

15. 14) Let us not judge one
another – Romans 14:13
15) Be perfectly joined
together – I Cor. 1:10
16) Forebearing one another
and forgive each otherCol 3:13
17) Submit to each other
Eph. 5:21
18) Comfort and edify one
another –I Thess 5:11
19) Exhort one another daily
Heb. 3:13
20) Speak not evil one of
another – James 4:11

16. 7) Bear ye one another’s
burdens- Galatians 6:2
8) Wash each other’s feet
John 14:13
9) Be kindly-affectioned one
to another Romans 12:10
10) Serve one anotherGalatians 5:13
11) Do not deceive one
another- Lev. 19:11
12) Show mercy and
compassion one to another
Zechariah 7:9
13) Be of the same mind one
to another Romans 12:16

17. 21) Consider each
other, provoke each other in
love
Heb. 10:24
22)If you bite and devour one
another…..
Gal. 5:15
23) Humble yourselves one to
another – I Peter 5:5
24) Use hospitality one to
another – I Peter 4:9
25) They had things in
common- Acts 4:32