Main Links

Web Folders: 

A Daily Prayer Notebook Main Index

Learn to Pray Page Index -see all the p-n- documents

Bible Study Intro Index

The Latest full entire version 
 

My Classes Links:  

DPN Class List and Links in their Context   (to be updated as completed)

Personal Links:

2006 Web Edition Guest's Daily Prayer Notebook\


CTLANYONS

Biographical Introduction

How I Was Married

Christine Wise Lanyon

Tracts INDEX

The 1980 Prayer Notebook (thumbnail graphics of the first printed PNB)

Recent and ACCESS Pages

Access all You can see articles by yours truly, pastors, and missionary web pages we're hosting, and other Christian helps here including, among others:

Family Links:

CTLanyons

Meet 'Br. Bernie'

Resources for your Family : Audio or Video

Freedom Index

Reese Chr Bible

My Business Links

Glory Carpet Cleaning

Detailed Teaching on the Doctrine of the Local Church --

--from the Constitution of Truth Baptist Church, Bim Rowley, Pastor

The Church as the Local Body of Christ

Definition--

The local church is a local body of baptized believers who have voluntarily joined together to glorify our Lord Jesus Christ by fulfilling all aspects of the Great Commission (see Article II), observing the ordinances (see below), and having a government as described in Article IV.

We believe that the local church is the only organization upon earth that God has ordained with the responsibility to defend the faith and spread His Word to the ends of the earth. We reject as unscriptural any organization, evangelistic association, missions agency, or parachurch group which is not a ministry of a local church or involved directly with the establishment and strengthening of local churches. (1 Timothy 3:14-15; Acts 13:1,2 compare 14:21-23; 14:26-28; Acts 20:17,28; Romans 16:1,3-4,5,16,22-23; 1 Corinthians 3:4-17; Galatians 1:2; Philippians 1:1 compare 4:15; Colossians 1:2 compare 4:16; James 1:1 compare 2:1-4; 1 Peter 1:1 compare 5:1-4)

  • 1 Tim. 3:14-15 These things I write to you, though I hope to come to you shortly; [15] but if I am delayed, I write so that you may know how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.
  • Acts 13:1-2 Now in the church that was at Antioch there were certain prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. [2] As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, "Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them."
  • Acts 14:21-23 And when they had preached the gospel to that city and made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch, [22] strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, "We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God." [23] So when they had appointed elders in every church, and prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed.
  • Acts 14:26-28 From there they sailed to Antioch, where they had been commended to the grace of God for the work which they had completed. [27] Now when they had come and gathered the church together, they reported all that God had done with them, and that He had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles. [28] So they stayed there a long time with the disciples.
  • Acts 20:17 From Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called for the elders of the church.
  • Acts 20:28 Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.
  • Romans 16:1 I commend to you Phoebe our sister, who is a servant of the church in Cenchrea,
  • Romans 16:3-5 Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, [4] who risked their own necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles. [5] Likewise greet the church that is in their house. Greet my beloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia to Christ.
  • Romans 16:16 Greet one another with a holy kiss. The churches of Christ greet you.
  • Romans 16:22-23 I, Tertius, who wrote this epistle, greet you in the Lord. [23] Gaius, my host and the host of the whole church, greets you. Erastus, the treasurer of the city, greets you, and Quartus, a brother.
  • 1 Cor. 3:4-17 For when one says, "I am of Paul," and another, "I am of Apollos," are you not carnal? [5] Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers through whom you believed, as the Lord gave to each one? [6] I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. [7] So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase. [8] Now he who plants and he who waters are one, and each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor. [9] For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, you are God's building. [10] According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it. [11] For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. [12] Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, [13] each one's work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one's work, of what sort it is. [14] If anyone's work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. [15] If anyone's work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire. [16] Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? [17] If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are.
  • Galatians 1:2 and all the brethren who are with me, To the churches of Galatia:
  • Philip. 1:1 Paul and Timothy, bondservants of Jesus Christ, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, with the bishops and deacons:
  • Philip. 4:15 Now you Philippians know also that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church shared with me concerning giving and receiving but you only.
  • Col. 1:2 To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ who are in Colosse: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
  • Col. 4:16 Now when this epistle is read among you, see that it is read also in the church of the Laodiceans, and that you likewise read the epistle from Laodicea.
  • James 1:1 James, a bondservant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad: Greetings.
  • James 2:1-4 My brethren, do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with partiality. [2] For if there should come into your assembly a man with gold rings, in fine apparel, and there should also come in a poor man in filthy clothes, [3] and you pay attention to the one wearing the fine clothes and say to him, "You sit here in a good place," and say to the poor man, "You stand there," or, "Sit here at my footstool," [4] have you not shown partiality among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts?
  • 1 Peter 1:1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To the pilgrims of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,
  • 1 Peter 5:1-4 The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed: [2] Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; [3] nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock; [4] and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away.

We believe

that all saved persons upon earth are commanded to be an integral part of the ministry of a scriptural local church, including assembling together regularly, exercising their individual gifts for the edification of the church, submitting to one another in love and to scriptural leaders, supporting the work of the church with prayer and finances, observing the ordinance of the Lord's Supper regularly, agreeing together upon and carrying out church discipline, caring for the needs of widows indeed as well as the needs of the fellow believers, and striving for doctrinal purity and unity in the church. (Hebrews 10:24,25; 1 Corinthians 11:20; 12:14-30; 5:4,5,11; 6:1-6; 1 Peter 5:1-5; Hebrew 13:17; Ephesians 4:11-16; 1 Thessalonians 5:12,13; 2 Thessalonians 3:6,14; 1 Timothy 5:3,17; John 13:34,35; 1 Peter 4:10,11)

  • Hebrews 10:24-25 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, [25] not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.
  • 1 Cor. 11:20 Therefore when you come together in one place, it is not to eat the Lord's Supper.
  • 1 Cor. 12:14-30 For in fact the body is not one member but many. [15] If the foot should say, "Because I am not a hand, I am not of the body," is it therefore not of the body? [16] And if the ear should say, "Because I am not an eye, I am not of the body," is it therefore not of the body? [17] If the whole body were an eye, where would be the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where would be the smelling? [18] But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body just as He pleased. [19] And if they were all one member, where would the body be? [20] But now indeed there are many members, yet one body. [21] And the eye cannot say to the hand, "I have no need of you"; nor again the head to the feet, "I have no need of you." [22] No, much rather, those members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary. [23] And those members of the body which we think to be less honorable, on these we bestow greater honor; and our unpresentable parts have greater modesty, [24] but our presentable parts have no need. But God composed the body, having given greater honor to that part which lacks it, [25] that there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another. [26] And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it. [27] Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually. [28] And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues. [29] Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles? [30] Do all have gifts of healings? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret?
  • 1 Cor. 5:4-5 In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when you are gathered together, along with my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, [5] deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.
  • 1 Cor. 5:11 But now I have written to you not to keep company with anyone named a brother, who is sexually immoral, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner--not even to eat with such a person.
  • 1 Cor. 6:1-6 Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unrighteous, and not before the saints? [2] Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world will be judged by you, are you unworthy to judge the smallest matters? [3] Do you not know that we shall judge angels? How much more, things that pertain to this life? [4] If then you have judgments concerning things pertaining to this life, do you appoint those who are least esteemed by the church to judge? [5] I say this to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you, not even one, who will be able to judge between his brethren? [6] But brother goes to law against brother, and that before unbelievers!
  • 1 Peter 5:1-5 The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed: [2] Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; [3] nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock; [4] and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away. [5] Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for "God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble."
  • Hebrews 13:17 Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.
  • Ephes. 4:11-16 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, [12] for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, [13] till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; [14] that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, [15] but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head--Christ-- [16] from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.
  • 1 Thes. 5:12-13 And we urge you, brethren, to recognize those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, [13] and to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. Be at peace among yourselves. 2 Thes. 3:6 But we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly and not according to the tradition which he received from us.
  • 2 Thes. 3:14 And if anyone does not obey our word in this epistle, note that person and do not keep company with him, that he may be ashamed.
  • 1 Tim. 5:3 Honor widows who are really widows.
  • 1 Tim. 5:17 Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine.
  • John 13:34-35 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. [35] By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."
  • 1 Peter 4:10-11 As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. [11] If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

We believe

that Christ has commanded the local church to observe and administer two ordinances--Baptism and the Lord's Supper.

  • Baptism--
    • (See Article V Section 4K)
  • The Lord's Supper--
    • We believe the Lord's Supper is commanded by the Lord to remind us of His broken body and shed blood to pay for our sins and to remind us of His promised return. We do not believe that the Lord's Supper has any saving power. (1 Corinthians 11:23-26; Matthew 26:29)
      • Matthew 26:29 But I say to you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father's kingdom."
      • 1 Cor. 11:23-26 For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; [24] and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, "Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me." [25] In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me." [26] For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death till He comes.

Article V Section 4K

We believe

that all who trust Christ for salvation are commanded to make public profession of this faith by being baptized by immersion in water, that this baptism is an act of obedience after salvation and has NO saving power, and therefore only those old enough to repent, believe, and obey are proper subjects for Bible baptism. (Matthew 28:18-20; 3:16; Mark 16:16; John 3:23; Acts 2:38 compare 3:19, 10:43; 8:36-39; 10:44-48; 16:30-34; 1 Corinthians 1:17; Ephesians 1:13,14)

  • Matthew 3:16 When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him.
  • Matthew 28:18-20 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. [19] Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, [20] teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen.
  • Mark 16:16 He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.
  • John 3:23 Now John also was baptizing in Aenon near Salim, because there was much water there. And they came and were baptized.
  • Acts 2:38 Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
  • Acts 3:19 Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord,
  • Acts 8:36-39 Now as they went down the road, they came to some water. And the eunuch said, "See, here is water. What hinders me from being baptized?" [37] Then Philip said, "If you believe with all your heart, you may." And he answered and said, "I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God." [38] So he commanded the chariot to stand still. And both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him. [39] Now when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught Philip away, so that the eunuch saw him no more; and he went on his way rejoicing.
  • Acts 10:43-48 To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins." [44] While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word. [45] And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also. [46] For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God. Then Peter answered, [47] "Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?" [48] And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then they asked him to stay a few days.
  • Acts 16:30-34 And he brought them out and said, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" [31] So they said, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household." [32] Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. [33] And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their stripes. And immediately he and all his family were baptized. [34] Now when he had brought them into his house, he set food before them; and he rejoiced, having believed in God with all his household.
  • 1 Cor. 1:17 For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of no effect.
  • Ephes. 1:13-14 In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, [14] who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.
  • Philip. 1:12-18 But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel, [13] so that it has become evident to the whole palace guard, and to all the rest, that my chains are in Christ; [14] and most of the brethren in the Lord, having become confident by my chains, are much more bold to speak the word without fear. [15] Some indeed preach Christ even from envy and strife, and some also from good will: [16] The former preach Christ from selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my chains; [17] but the latter out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel. [18] What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is preached; and in this I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice.