Grace Institute: Systematic Theology: Ecclesiology: The Practice of the Church

Ecclesiology Grace Institute for Biblical Leadership Winter 2006

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• The Practice of the Church

While the ultimate purpose of the church is to proclaim the gospel to the world, how is this carried out? Beyond the ordinances of the church, what should be the standard practice of the church? A look at the New Testament church should provide some example, while not in the details, at least in the general, what the practice of the church should be today (Acts 2:42-47).

• Teaching (Acts 2:42)
• Fellowship (Acts 2: 42, 12:1)
• Communion (Acts 2:42)
• Prayer (Acts 2:42)
• Caring for the poor (Acts 2:44-45, 1 Timothy 5:16)
• Gathering together (Acts 2:46, 14:27, 1 Corinthians 14:26, Hebrews 10:25)
• Eating meals together (Acts 4:46)
• Edification (Ephesians 4:11-13)
• Sending & Supporting Missionaries (Acts 15:3, 22, 2 Corinthians 8:19, 23, Phil. 4:15)
• Disciplines Church Members (Matthew 18:17, 1 Corinthians 5)
• Arbitrates disputes among church members (1 Corinthians 6)
• Lives in unity (Ephesians 4:3, Romans 14:19, 1 Corinthians 1)

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