Blueprint of the Church: The Blueprint

God has designed His church with the same order that exists in all of His creation. The Bible gives us specific foundations, principles, models and patterns by which the local church is to operate. The foundation for His church is found in Acts 2:42-47.

“And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. 43 Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. 44 Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, 45 and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need. 46 So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.” 

  

14 dynamics of the First Generation Church:

1. The Apostle’s doctrine: The authoritative teaching of the Word of God
2. Fellowship: The cultivation of relationships in the Family of God
3. The breaking of bread: The Communion of the Body of Christ
4. Prayers: The supernatural influence of prayer & intercession
5. The fear of the Lord: The awesome Respect of Almighty God
6. Wonders and Signs:  The miraculous works of the Holy Spirit
7. Together in one accord: The unity of true believers
8. All things in common:  The adventure of liberal giving
9. In the temple: The dynamics of corporate gatherings
10. From house to house:  The ministry of Care Centers/small groups
11. Simplicity of heart: The joy of the Christ-like lifestyle
12. Praising God:  The spiritual impact of worship
13. Favor with the people:  The influence of righteousness in a city
14. Added to the church:  The making of disciples in the local church

 

Church Government and Structure

A local church is birthed and founded by a “set man” or a senior minister who leads and “oversees” the church.

Moses set Joshua over the People.
Num 27:15-17 (18-23) Then Moses spoke to the LORD, saying: 16 "Let the LORD, the God of the spirits of all flesh, set a man over the congregation, 17 who may go out before them and go in before them, who may lead them out and bring them in, that the congregation of the LORD may not be like sheep which have no shepherd."

The local church is made up of overseers, deacons and saints.
Phil 1:1 To all the saints in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons.

  1. An overseer, one charged with the duty of seeing that things to be done by others are done rightly.
    It is not difficult to submit ourselves to authentic spiritual authority. True leadership is servant-hood and exemplary living. Having a Bible and a conscience and a personal relationship with the Holy Spirit, I should not fear being accountable to those God has anointed to lead His church. 1 Tim. 3:1-3, Acts 20:23, Eph. 4:11.
  1. Deacons are chief servants or supervisors of ministry.
    God is looking for servants who model a lifestyle that truly represents His Kingdom. Jesus was the ultimate deacon. He did not come to be served but to serve. That is the heart of the gospel and of Christian community and ministry. 1 Tim. 3:8-9, 10, 12-13, Romans 16:1-2, Acts 6:3-7.
  2. Saints are members of the church, the Body of Christ and are accountable to these spiritual overseers.
    A saint is not a superhuman individual. A saint is a Christian who simply lives in obedience to the Word of God. This is the kind of living stone that God is looking to put into the foundation and walls of the church He is building. Rom. 1:7, 2 Cor. 1:2, Eph. 2:19-22, 4:11-12, Col. 1:2, 1 Tim. 5:10, 1 Cor. 16:15-16.

 

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