In the Book of Revelation, chapters two and three, we have seven letters to seven local churches. There were only two of the seven churches, Smyrna and Philadelphia, which did not receive rebuke. A careful study of those two churches will reveal to us the marks of an ideal local church. One of the prominent principles, which seem to be clear in both churches, was an uncompromising determination to hold fast the Word of Truth. Therefore a church is one that is first marked by Biblical preaching. Namely a systematic preaching of “all the counsel of God” (Acts 20:27). Biblical preaching is doctrinal preaching. The word doctrine simply means teaching. It is commonly used in the New Testament. They filled Jerusalem with their DOCTRINE” (Acts 5:28). Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the DOCTRINE of Christ, hath not God (II John v.9). Biblical preaching is expository preaching. What is expository preaching? Nehemiah 8:8 defines it, “So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading.” From this we learn expository preaching is staying in the context of the particular passage and giving “the sense” of it. Second, the New Testament teaches us that another basic mark of an ideal church is Biblical church ordinances, which are Baptism and the Lord’s Table. Baptism is an ordinance of the New Testament, ordained by Jesus Christ. It is a SIGN of one’s fellowship with Christ in His death and resurrection, of his being engrafted into Christ, signifying remission of sins, and through Christ to live and walk in newness of life (Romans 6:3-5). Those alone who actually profess repentance toward God and faith in Jesus Christ are proper subjects of this ordinance. In the ordinance concerning the Lord’s Supper, Christ is not offered up to His heavenly Father (as some teach); nor any actual sacrifice made for remission of sin. The ordinance is the memorial of that one offering of Himself by Himself on the cross, once for all (Hebrews 9:25-28; I Corinthian 11:24). The Lord’s table was ordained by our blessed Lord Jesus Christ solely as an ordinance of worship and only for His elect people. Third, a New Testament Church is a church evidenced by Biblical church government. This government flows from the Throne of God, for Jesus Christ is the Supreme Governor and the only Head of His Church. Fourth, an ideal church is marked by Biblical spirituality. Jonathan Edwards’ work on ‘Religious Affections’ shows that more is to be looked for than moving testimonies and appearances of love, zeal, fervor and assurance. Genuine spirituality must show forth the spirit and temper of Christ, tenderness of heart and an all round balance in the Christian life expressed not in word only, but also in practice.
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