Following the Recipe
"Timothy...will remind you of my ways which are in Christ, just as I teach everywhere in every church." I Cor. 4:17
Paul and the other apostles taught the same gospel in every place. The churches they
established practiced the same things; when the churches waivered, they were sent letters to
correct them, like the Corinthian letters. Others were sent letters praising them for
maintaining the standards, such as the letter to the Ephesians. It is our goal to make the
church today according to the same standards established by the apostles and practiced by
faithful first century churches. We do this by following the direct commands, apostolically
approved examples, and necessary inferences of the Bible.
The Bible contains "everything pertaining to life and godliness" (1 Pet 1:3) and is
sufficient "for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; that the
man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work (2 Tim. 3:16-17). It was
"once for all delivered to the saints" (Jude 3) and therefore needs no updating or changes.
It will be the standard by which each person will be judged (John 12:48). It is the rock
upon which the wise man builds his house (Matt 7:24-27).
The Bible reads a lot like a recipe. It contains a list of ingredients and a set of directions
needed to establish the church. A recipe begins by telling what things are needed, such as
eggs, flour, or sugar. Likewise, the Bible says the church begins with Christ (Matt 16:18)
and Christians (Matt 18:20). A recipe then gives directions for preparing the product,
such as pre-heating the oven or greasing the pan. And it tells how to combine the
ingredients and in what order to do it. Sometimes it gives specific direct statements, such
as "Pre-heat oven to 450 degrees for 15 minutes." Other times it gives examples and/or
illustrations, such as "knead the dough by folding and pressing," and it may have little
cartoon-like pictures of the process. Sometimes it makes inferences that the cook must
figure out, such as "combine eggs, flour, and sugar; then stir;" it doesn’t say what to
combine them in, so the cook must necessarily infer that he/she can combine them in a
bowl; also, it doesn’t say what to stir with, so the cook must necessarily infer that he/she
must use some kind of utensil or appliance. Furthermore, a good recipe does not
contradict itself or change it’s mind later on. It is consistent and the same.
Likewise, the Bible gives direct statements for the church, such as "on the first day of the
week let each of you put aside and save" (1 Cor 16:2). Other times it gives examples
and/or illustrations, such as partaking of the Lord’s Supper on the 1st day of the week
(Acts 20:7). And it also gives necessary inferences; we come to the obvious conclusion
that we must assemble every first day of the week, as often as the first day of the week
comes around, just as the first century Christians assembled on the first day of the week.
A recipe does not have to provide a list of everything the cook should NOT add to the list
of ingredients; it does not have to tell everything NOT to do when preparing the meal.
Likewise, the Bible does not list every sin NOT to commit, or every error the church is
NOT to practice; it only lists those things that are required and allowed.
Let’s take a look at a "Recipe For A Church"
Ingredients
1 Christ
1 Name (use only 1 Name, Acts 4:12; Phil 2:9)
2 or more Christians (Matt 18:20) (see also "Recipe For A Christian")
1 Purpose (Phil 2:2)
All Scriptures (2 Tim. 3:16-17)
1 Place to Meet (Acts 20:7-8)
Directions
1. Establish Christ as Head (Eph 1:22-23; 5:23; Col 2:18), Foundation (1 Cor 3:11), and
Chief Cornerstone (Eph 2:19-22)
2. Put Christians in Place to Meet (Heb 10:25)
3. Stir in All Scriptures thoroughly, carefully preserving unity (Eph 4:3; 1 Cor 1:10)
4. Add Name (Rom 16:16) and Purpose (Phil 2:2)
5. Plant it. Water and feed with All Scriptures continually(1 Cor 3:6; 1 Pet 2:2)
6. As Church grows, clean out old leaven (1 Cor 5:7) and remove evil influences (1 Cor
5:13). Reject false teachers and bad company (1 Cor 15:33; Gal 1:8-9)
7. Church is to accomplish the following:
-worship God (Matt 4:10; John 4:23-24; Heb 13:15)
-spread Gospel (Matt 28:19-20; 2 Tim 4:1-5)
-edify and encourage itself (Rom 14:19; 1 Cor 14:26; Heb 3:13)
-fully supply the needs of saints who qualify (2 Cor 9:12; 1 Tim 5:9-10)
-equip the Saints for the work of service (Eph 4:12)
NOTE: Church is to be presented to Christ, and He requires that it be made exactly
according to His recipe. Do not deviate from, add to, omit, or change any of His ingredients or directions (Eph 5:25-27; 1 Tim 4:15-16; 2 Tim 2:5, 15; Heb 2:1; Jms 2:10; 2 John 9; Rev 22:18-19) Fruit becomes evident from start (Matt 7:16-20; Gal 5:22-23;
Eph 5:9). Bad fruit indicates sin. Each Christian is responsible for ensuring His directions
are followed. Gates of Hades shall not prevail against properly made Church (Matt 16:18)
Conclusion:
It is up to YOU to search the Scriptures for the truth. If I have mis-applied or mis-taught
anything, or if I have fallen short of or gone beyond the truth in this lesson, it is still up to YOU to find the exact truth and obey it.
written by David F. Sims, doing my part to "turn the world upside down" (Acts 17:6)
All quotes taken from the New American Standard Bible.
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