As we examine the pattern of the New Testament church in the first century, compare your own church with it today. To be biblical, your church must teach the same things and worship in the same way. If your church is different, then it is not following the New Testament's blueprint, and you must make arrangements to correct the wrong in your life. Each church of Christ in the first century used the same blueprint. For a church to be Christ's true church today, it must fit that identical design or pattern. We learn what the pattern of the church was by studying what the apostles directed the early Christians to do. The New Testament tells us what Christians did in the first churches of Christ under the guidance of the apostles. These examples act as commands from God and are the authority telling us what the church of Christ must do today.

In the New Testament, some Christians tried to make substitutes and change God's rules. Their actions were strongly rebuked. The apostles instructed the church to withdraw from them. This action kept the sin from contaminating the rest of the congregation. The church was commanded to hold tightly to the doctrine given to them by the apostles. To learn if your church matches the identity of the true church of Christ in the New Testament, we will examine the seven questions below. By doing this, you can determine yourself if the church where you are a member fits the New Testament pattern.

1. Who is the founder and head of the church of Christ?
2. What name does the church of Christ wear?
3. What are the acts of worship in the church of Christ?
4. Who is authorized to govern church affairs?
5. What are the doctrinal teachings of the church of Christ?
6. How does one become a member of the church of Christ?
7. What is the mission of the church of Christ? 

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Copyright 1989 by Carmen D Hilliard. Used by permission