Today we are posting a Multiple-Choice Test to answer the question: “What is a Bible Church – in the Bible?” put together by a friend and dear brother in Christ–Randy Amos (who is now in the arms of the Lord).
Mega Style Church
A. Mega Style:
The Bible is used but more with select phrases on a screen than all reading their Bible. Biblical relationships with psychological counselling are emphasized. A Bible phrase is used, not so much for its contextual meaning, but as a nuance proving the concept of a dynamic ‘pastor’. Not a lot of the Bible warnings are stated for help, hope and happiness is the goal. The church’s methods come more from popular ‘likes’.
Denominational Style Church
B. Denominational Style:
The Bible is used, but its headquarters determine its doctrinal understanding. If one agrees with the headquarters then the local church will mirror that teaching. You know what you’re getting here. It’s like a food franchise; its message and methods (recipe) are pretty much the same wherever, as it draws its menu from the tradition of the headquarters. Its chef (‘pastor’) must also be approved by the headquarters.
Independent Style Church
C. Independent Style:
This style is independent from a main human authority for its doctrine. So its ‘pastor’ has liberty to find his own style for worship and methods. The Bible is used to emphasize the gospel of the Lord Jesus that saves. The deeper teachings of Scripture are not the first goal but more seeing people saved or restored – again.
Reformed Style Church
D. Reformed Style:
The literal Bible is used for matters of salvation and godly living. But Israel and future events are often spiritualized matching the Protestant reformer’s understanding 500 years ago. So, depending on the trained ‘pastor’, the teaching can be deeper and thought provoking. Its methods of order and worship are more formal.
Charisma Style Church
E. Charisma Style:
The Bible is used to tell about Jesus and highlight the Holy Spirit’s apostolic miracle power as normal. So besides the Bible they have “a word of prophecy”. Direction is given that doesn’t come directly from the completed Bible but from this further revelation of the “Spirit” that the prophet or ‘pastor’ says they got or dreamed.
Messianic Style Church
F. Messianic Style:
The Bible is used but more from the OT Mosaic law (Torah). Its Jewish religious tradition is taught as relevant for today (as much as is possible without the Jewish temple that the Lord Jesus prophesied would be removed – and was in 70AD). Their ‘Rabbi’ uses the NT Bible not as much for congregational policies and doctrine but to mainly verify that Yeshua (Jesus) is the Jewish Messiah who matches the OT prophets.
New Testament Style Church
G. New Testament Style:
The gospel has graced all believing nationalities equal in Christ. All believers are called brothers with no titles in front of their name. The only one with a title is the Lord Jesus Christ. No human receives glory in the presence of the Lord – for He alone is the Spirit’s wisdom to be glorified. Their reason for meeting is in remembrance of their Lord and Savior at the Lord’s Supper, and to edify the body by the liberty of a plurality of Spirit-gifted ones – in an orderly way with love. Different roles for men and women (with the symbol of head covering) are upheld with the women being silent in the church – for it is God’s holy temple where His Spirit is. Its church authority and wisdom are the written commands from heaven’s Head (Lord Jesus) via Paul His apostle.
Which description, do you think, fits a Bible teaching Church according to God’s word?
Answer:
Some things in A-F might have value but the Bible book of 1Corinthians instructs in “G”.
Comments and Questions Welcome
Feel free to let us know your thoughts in the comment section.
We welcome any questions you might have as we like to hear from you.
Please share this blog with your friends if you liked it, if not, please let us know.
Thank you for reading and God bless you!
Blog Posts Related to this Topic:
What are the four table legs of the Church meeting?
What is the Role of the Church in the Book of Revelation?
Ever wondered to which of the Seven Churches mentioned in Revelation you belong to?
Resources:
“The Church” – A Discipleship Manual for the Body of Christ by Randy Amos
.
For a deeper study into Jesus’ next coming and the signs of the time check out our 3-in-1 Study Guide:
“Digging Deep into the Revelation of Jesus Christ”.
It is a one-of-a-kind reference for anyone striving to understand the Book of Revelation in the Bible.
This study guide for the Book of Revelation is revolutionary and unique.
On each page it contains:
-the original scripture,
-the commentary on that scripture,
-the actual Bible verses referenced in the commentary, and
-the commentary on these references in 4 columns side by side.
Through the format and contents, the reader is able to find comprehensive information in a few minutes versus spending an hour looking up cross-references to find meaning in challenging text.
For someone studying Revelation, this one reference saves time and enhances understanding without making the mistake of translating scripture. This enables the reader to make his/her own conclusions about the meaning in the Word as inspired by God.
