At the outset of this series of articles on doctrine, teaching and assembly history I must say that it is presupposed that it will be accepted by the reader that the Bible is the inerrant (Ps. 12:6,7), infallible (Isa. 55:11) and inspired word of God and “is profitable for doctrine, for reproof for correction, for instruction in righteousness …(2 Tim. 3:16 KJV).” Every Christian is exhorted by the Word of God to be as the Bereans who “…received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.” (Acts 17:11b) “Prove (examine, discern) all things; hold fast that which is good.”(1 Thess. 5:21)

Unless otherwise noted the King James Version (KJV) will be quoted from in all passages from the Bible.

The calling, continuance and communion of the New Testament church.

Of the great New Testament mysteries this new thing formed by the person and work of the Holy Spirit is undoubtedly the crowning jewel of the many great works of God in the lives of men. Jew and gentile (Gal. 3:28, Eph. 2:14,16) were now brought into one body by the calling of God and were to be set as public testimony in the local sense in every nation. The Lord Jesus Christ was now saving souls by sealing them with the Holy Spirit (Eph. 1:13,14) and keeping them to the day of redemption as they were now baptized into one body with the Spirit of God. (1 Cor.12:13)

This new work had its beginning at Pentecost, which took place on the first day of the week 50 days following the resurrection of the Lord Jesus and would see its culmination when “... the fullness of the gentiles be come in … (Romans 11:26).” “For the law was given by Moses but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ” (John 1:17). As Christ had promised “… upon this rock I will build my church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it (Matt. 16:18b).”

The calling

“For the promise is unto you, and to your children and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call (Acts 2:39).” This was the promise to those of faith, their offspring and to their neighbour. The Lord was the one doing the calling, Christ the baptizing into the one body and the Holy Spirit sealing until the day of redemption.
The triune Godhead is evidenced in salvation here and throughout the scriptures. In verse 41 we see they (1) gladly received his word (2) were baptized and (3) were added to the fellowship of Christians.

The continuance

Now verse 42 reveals the pattern and practice of the early church in that they “continued steadfastly in the apostles doctrine.” “A. M. S. Gooding has suggested that “the apostles’ doctrine (teaching)” comprised fifty per cent teaching from the OT, twenty-five per cent of the oral teaching given to the apostles by the Lord, and twenty-five per cent new revelation give by the NT apostles and prophets through the Holy Spirit before the completion of the canon of Holy scripture” (Anderson, J., ‘What the Bible teaches,’ pg. 42). Fellowship was the word revealing the bond between the saints of God as they looked to one Lord and saviour and rejoiced in with each other when they met on this common ground of gathering to His name.

The communion

“The cup of blessing which e bless, is it not the communion (fellowship) of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body (unity) of Christ? For we being one bread (loaf), and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread (loaf).”
The breaking of bread is mentioned in the scriptures as a common practice with the words “as often as you do this… (1 Cor. 11:26) revealing the frequency of this event of remembrance rather than an irregular or limited practice of it. Acts 20:7 tells us it is performed on the first day(s) of the week. It is the same day money for a special offering was to be laid aside (1 Cor. 16:1,2) and the day the Lord rose from the dead and appeared in the upper room and again in the upper room one week later on the first day of the week. So as with Pentecost the first day of the week became a day of special meeting revealed to us by the pattern observed in the New Testament. Paul called it the Lord’s supper (1 Cor.11, 20,23). It was a solemn gathering that is jealously guarded by the Lord who’s hand of chastening even unto death was upon those that abused this time of remembrance (1 Cor. 11:28-32).

Summary

The New Testament sets before us a pattern to be carried out by the church of today which gathers to the name of the Lord Jesus and seeks scriptural guidance as to practice and doctrine. Woe unto the person that sets about to destroy this holy gathering (1 Cor. 3:16,17) or move it from its steadfastness and obedience to the Lord which allows a loving and powerful testimony (1 Cor. 13:13; 14:25) for God where the Lord has called this assembly to be (Deut. 12:5,11,14,18,21 and 26 along with Matt. 18:20)
“Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown (Rev. 3:11).”

W. C. Burton is a fundamental evangelical Bible teacher and gospel preacher who was saved by the grace of God in Oct. of 1984. He is presently in fellowship with the saints at Bethel-Park Bible Chapel.

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