I. The Birth of the Church (Acts 2)
- Jesus’ promise fulfilled at Pentecost.
- 3,000 saved and baptized (Acts 2:41).
- Marks of the church: Word, prayer, fellowship, mission (Acts 2:42–47).
II. The Drift of the Church (2nd–6th Century)
- From Spirit-led gatherings to tradition and hierarchy.
- Constantine (AD 313) — Christianity legalized, church entangled with empire.
- Papacy rises, rituals overshadow the gospel.
III. The Reformation (1500s)
- Martin Luther & John Calvin: Faith alone, Scripture alone.
- Key verses: Romans 1:17, Ephesians 2:8–9.
- But not a full return: infant baptism, state churches, and ritual remained.
IV. The Recovery of New Testament Principles (1600s)
- Believers sought a return to the Acts model.
- Emphasized:
- Believer’s baptism by immersion (Acts 2:41; Romans 6:4).
- Bible as sole authority (2 Tim 3:16–17).
- Local church autonomy (Acts 13:2–3).
- History remembers them as Baptists — but the point is biblical principles, not labels.
V. The Calling of Northern Light Church
- Christ Alone as Head (Col 1:18).
- Bible as Final Authority (2 Tim 3:16–17).
- Spirit-Led Worship & Prayer (Acts 2:42).
- Believer’s Baptism & Lord’s Supper (Acts 2:41; 1 Cor 11:26).
- Local Autonomy with Cooperative Partnerships (Acts 13:2–3).
- Every Member Ministry (1 Cor 12:27).
- Evangelism & Discipleship (Matt 28:19–20).
- Missions & Sending (Acts 13:2–3).
- Holiness & Accountability (Matt 18:15; Gal 6:1–2).
- Care for One Another (Acts 4:32).
VI. The Unity of the Church
- NT Example: Churches supported each other financially and spiritually (Acts 11:29–30; Phil 4:15–16).
- Purpose of Unity: Show the body of Christ to the world (John 17:21).
- Guardrails: True unity is based on truth, not compromise (Gal 1:6–9).
- Application for NLC:
- Pastor exchanges and pulpit sharing.
- Fellowship at each other’s events.
- Partnerships in missions and prayer.
VII. The Warning & The Invitation
- Churches that drift lose Christ at the center (Rev 2:4–5).
- Individuals who trust in traditions, rituals, or labels are in eternal danger (Matt 7:21–23).
- Invitation:
- Salvation is by grace through faith in Christ alone (Eph 2:8–9).
- “You must be born again” (John 3:7).
- Don’t just attend church — be part of the living body of Christ.
Closing
“The New Testament church is not Baptist, Catholic, or any denomination. It’s the people of God, built on Christ, filled with the Spirit, grounded in the Word, and sent on mission. That’s the church Northern Light is called to be.”
Full message: