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      Praise for

      Seven Marks of a

      New Testament Church

      I believe it is fair to say that I know Brother David Black. He has been my professor, and I have been one of his pastors. On a trip to Ethiopia, I recall asking his wife (Becky), “What are Dr. Black’s strengths?” She responded, “Seeing the big picture and making it simple for everyone to understand.” Seven Marks of a New Testament Church is such a book. Clear, concise, engaging, and oozing with heavenly wisdom that will stir your heart and mind to want “gospel-maturity” for the glory of Christ.

      Dr. Jason Evans

      Pastor/Elder, Bethel Hill Baptist Church

      Just when I thought I had read my favorite book by Dave Black, out comes this one! Whether God just saved you or you’ve been walking with Jesus for many years, this book is for you. Jesus says in Matt. 16:18, “I will build My church.” From Jesus’ perspective the church was future, it was his possession, and he was its architect! Today, we are tempted to forget about its inception, to view it as someone else’s possession, and to build it with human minds and hands. Second to a wrong view of the gospel, nothing can hurt the Great Commission more than a wrong view of the church. Black’s Seven Marks of a New Testament Church is a necessary reminder that we are to “do” church on God’s terms, not our own. I, for one, have greatly benefited from Black’s careful study of Acts 2:37–47. Believe me when I say, we can’t afford to neglect these eleven verses if we hope to see God turn the world “upside down” in our day (Acts 17:6).

      Dr. Thomas W. Hudgins

      Capital Seminary and Graduate School

      Well, Dave Black has done it again! In his book Seven Marks of a New Testament Church he brings to light the fact that much of what is being done in our twenty-first century churches bears little to no resemblance to what the Bible teaches. Ouch! But, it’s true! Dave calls us to take a look at how we “do church” and seek to bring reform. It’s not that we’ve chosen to be disobedient or unbiblical in an intentional way. Yet, much like ocean tides eat away a sand castle, biblical truths are being eroded by our man-made traditions and philosophies regarding church leadership, polity and fellowship. Anyone desiring to lead or be a part of what looks like a first century church should heartily welcome the simple, yet profound principles outlined by Dave from the book of Acts. Thanks again for challenging the status quo Brother Dave!

      D. Kevin Brown

      Pastor/Elder, Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church

      Seven Marks

      of a

      New Testament Church

      A Guide for Christians of All Ages

      David Alan Black

      Energion Publications

      Gonzalez, FL

      2014

      Copyright © 2014, David Alan Black

      Unless otherwise noted, Scripture translations are by the author.

      Cover Design: Jody & Henry Neufeld

      Cover Images:

      Sunset, ID 3121126 © Koh Sze Kiat | Dreamstime.com

      Cross, ID 35103100 © Maria Wachala | Dreamstime.com

      Aer.io Edition:

      ISBN10: 1-63199-584-7

      ISBN13: 978-1-63199-584-2

      Print Edition Information:

      ISBN10: 1-63199-046-2

      ISBN13: 978-1-63199-046-5

      Library of Congress Control Number: 2014943894

      Energion Publications

      P. O. Box 841

      Gonzalez, FL 32560

      energion.com

      [email protected]

      Acknowledgements

      My thanks to Henry Neufeld (again!) for accepting this manuscript and for his constructive criticism and encouragement. Thanks also to my personal assistant, Jacob Cerone, for his extensive yet excellent work on this volume. I dedicate this book to my elders at Bethel Hill Baptist Church who weekly confirm the biblical principles set forth in this volume: Jason Evans, Jason Hatley, and Ed Johnson. But may the Head alone receive all the glory.

      David Alan Black

      Rosewood Farm, Virginia

      Introduction

      For years I have wanted to write a book on ecclesiology. This book, however, is not it. Instead, I have tried to ask the New Testament a very simple question: “What does a healthy, biblical church look like?” Of course, many excellent writers have attempted to answer this question. Books about the church are more abundant than ever. I do not claim to have found the only answer to this question. The one thing I have tried to do is allow the Scriptures to speak for themselves. You will notice that I asked my question of the New Testament itself; and it seems to me that the New Testament has provided us with an extraordinarily clear answer. The more I ponder the book of Acts, the more convinced I am that the wonderful chapter describing the birth of the church makes a fitting starting point for the study of New Testament ecclesiology. Should we ask, “Where do we start?”, our course is already plotted, in eleven brief verses no less. I am speaking of Acts 2:37-47, verses that describe at least seven basic characteristics of the newly-formed church in Jerusalem. Hence the title: Seven Marks of a New Testament Church. Here is my translation of these verses:

      Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what should we do?” Peter said to them, “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins may be forgiven, and you will receive the Holy Spirit as a gift. For the promise is for you, for your children, and for all who are far away, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to Him.” And he testified with many other arguments and exhorted them, saying, “Be saved from this corrupt generation!” So those who welcomed his message were baptized, and that day about three thousand people were added to the group.

      They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, to the fellowship, to the breaking of the bread, and to the prayers. A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. All the believers continued together in close fellowship and shared everything they had with one another. They would sell their property and possessions and distribute the money among all, according to what each person needed. Day after day they worshiped together in the temple and had meals together in their homes, eating with glad and humble hearts, all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And every day the Lord kept adding to their group those who were being saved.

      Before we examine this passage in greater detail, permit me to make four brief but important observations.

      First, you will notice that I did not entitle my book “The Seven Marks of a New Testament Church.” No human can claim such certainty. That would be to have omniscience. We may, of course, assert that we have discovered “the” marks of the church, but the definite article betrays not certainty but arrogance. In the second place, these seven descriptions of a New Testament church are valid regardless of one’s denominational affiliation. After all, in the first century there were no Baptists or Presbyterians or Methodists or Catholics per se. These marks, I should think, would apply no less to modern mega-churches as to the joyous house churches of the first century. In the third place, it needs to be noted that the church in Acts 2 was hardly perfect. Remember, it was not the Jerusalem church that initiated the evangelism of Samaria or Antioch. That torch had to be passed to others. Even Peter did not yet fully understand the place the Gentiles would have in the church. Still, the church in Acts 2 exhibited all the vital signs of new life in Christ. A church can be exemplary and not be perfect. The key is that it must be moving in the right direction. Finally, we will study these marks in the order in which the text presents them to us. The reader will, no doubt,

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