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Standards
From the book of Acts as well as other passages in the new testament we gain insight into the norms or authoritative standards for a new testament assembly of believers.
1. First and foremost an assembly will consist of people formed into local congregations and united by the Holy Spirit, diligently seeking a faithful personal relationship with God through Jesus the Messiah ( Acts 13:2; 16:5; 20:7; Ro 16:3-4; 1 Cor 11:28; Heb 11:6)
2. Through its powerful witness, sinners will be saved, born again, baptized in water and added to the local assembly; they will partake of the Lords supper and wait for His return (Acts 2:41-42, 4:33, 5:14; 11:24; 1Cor 11:26)
3. The baptism in the Holy Spirit will be preached and communicated to new believers and the Spirit's presence and power manifested.
(Acts 1:8, 2:4,4:31,10:45-46,19:6-7)
4. The Holy Spirit's gifts will be in operation (Ro 12:6-8; 1Cor 12:4-11; Eph 4:11-12) including wonders, miraculous signs and healings
(Acts 2:18; 4:3, 4:30, 5:12, 6:8, 14:10, 19:11, 28:8; Mk 16:18)
5. God gives a five-fold leadership to the body in order to equip the saints for the work of ministry (Eph 4:11-12)
6. Believers will drive out demons (Acts 5:16, 8:7, 16:18, 19:12; Mk 16:17)
7. There will be absolute loyalty to the gospel, i.e., the original teachings of Messiah and the Apostles (Acts 2:42). The people will devote themselves to studying and obeying the word of God (Acts 6:4, 18:11; Ro 15:18; Col 3:16; 2 Tim 2:15)
8. The local congregation will meet together for sabbath observance, worship and mutual edification through the written word of God and the manifestations of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor 12:7-11, 14:26; 1 Tim 5:17)
9. The body will stand in humility, awe and fear before the presence of a holy God (Acts 5:11). The people will be vitally concerned for the purity of the body, disciplining sinning members and teachers not loyal to the biblical faith
(Acts 20:28; 1 Cor 5:1-13)
10. Those who have perservered in godly character and the righteous standards set forth by the Apostle(s) will be ordained as elders to oversee local congregations and maintain their spiritual life (Mt 18:15; 1 Cor 5:1-5; 1Tim 3:1-7; Tit 1:5-9)
11. There will be observable love and fellowship in the Spirit among the members (Acts 2:42, 44-46)
12. The local assembly will pray and fast.
(Acts 1:14, 6:4, 12:5, 13:2; Rom 12:12; Col 4:2; Eph 6:18)
13. Believers will seperate themselves from the prevailing worldview and the spirit of their surrounding culture (Acts 2:40; Ro 12:2; 2 Cor 6:17; Gal 1:4; 1Jn 2:15-16)
14. The local assembly will actively help send missionaries to other lands
(Acts 2:39, 13:2-4)
*Taken from the NIV study bible on new testament assembly