Here is Truth; Jesus, His Truth, and New Testament MinistryThe example of Jesus:

1.   Jesus had God's approval at the beginning of His ministry: Matt 3:16-17; Mark 1:11; Luke 3:22

2. Jesus' preparation for the ministry: Tempted by Satan in theWilderness: Matt. 4:1-11; Luke 4:1-13.  He refused the temptation  to make material provision for Himself, to get worldly power orGlory to use for personal benefit or protection the power of God.

3. Seven marks identifying the ministry of Jesus:

  a. Poverty: 2 Cor. 8:9; Matt 17:24-27; Mark 15:24; Matt. 27:59-60

  b. Homelessness: Matt. 8:20; Luke 9:58; John 7:53 and 8:1; Luke 21:37

c. He put the gospel before the claims of relatives: Matt.12: 46-50; John 7:36

  d. He put the gospel before the claims of His own life: John 10:11,15,17-18, John 12:24

  e. He was an example in service: Matt. 20:28; Phil. 2:7; John 13...washing disciples' feet

  f. He traveled in the ministry: Luke 4:43-44; 8:1

  g. He gave freely the gospel: Luke 4:18 (preached to the poor)

4. Jesus sent His disciples as the Father had sent Him: John 17:18   (Before His death) John 20:21(after resurrection)

  The Ministry of the Apostles

1. Jesus called them into the ministry: Mark 1:16-202. Jesus ordained (appointed) them: Mark 3:14; 1 Tim. 2:73. Jesus asked them to follow Him:  Matt: 4:194. Marks seen in their ministry:

  a. They were poor for his sake:  Matt. 4:12; Luke 12:23-33; Acts          3:6; 2 Cor. 6:10

  b. They were homeless for His sake: Matt. 19:27-29; Acts 9:43; Acts     10:5-6; 1 Cor. 4:11

  c. They were sent two and two: Luke 10:1

  d. They put the gospel before relatives: Matt: 4:22; Matt: 10:36-37

  e. They put the gospel before their own lives: John 12:21; Luke 14:26

  f. They gave freely the gospel: Matt. 10:8; 3rd John v.7; 1 Cor: 9:18

  g. They served in the ministry: Mark 10:43-44; 1 Cor. 9:19

  h. They traveled in the ministry: Matt. 28:19-20

  I. They were untitled ministers: Matt. 23:8-10; Ps. 111:9 (reverend applies to God only)

  j. They were not trained preachers: John 7:15; Acts 4:13; They learned by following Jesus.

  k. They were of no reputation like their master: Phil: 2:7

  l. They bore no other name but His: John 5:43

  m. How long were these conditions to be fulfilled? Matt. 28:20-to the end of the world

  n. Only collection mentioned in N.T....1 Cor. 16:1...given to poor saints, not ministersHow their needs were met. Luke 8:3; 10:7 (their hire was food and drink, Not salary) Luke 12:22-31; Matt.6 tells how alms should be given in secret; Phil. 4:15-17Ministers are called ambassadors, 2 Cor: 5:20; apostles, 1 Tim. 2:7;  Laborers, Matt. 9:38; ministers Rom. 15:25; preachers, Rom. 10:14;   Servants, Phil. 1:1; workers, 2 Cor. 6:1Some ways the saints can help in the extension of His Kingdom: by prayer, 2 Cor.1: 11; by walk, 3rd John v. 3-4; by fellowship, Phil.   1:4-5; by faithful witness, 1 Thess. 1: 6-10; by honesty, 1 Pet. 2:12REFERENCES ON THE NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH  The word "church" occurs 114 times in the N.T. and comes from the Greek Word "ecclesia" which means "called out". The church is God's people Called out by the gospel and built together as lively stones on the Foundation of Christ: Matt: 16: 13-18; 1 Pet. 2: 5-9; Eph.   2:20-22.Three buildings in the O.T. were authorized by God: Noah's Ark; the   Tabernacle erected by Moses; and the temple built by Solomon (destroyed In 70 A.D.).  The N.T. teaches that God dwells in lives and not in Buildings: Is. 66: 1-2; 57:15; Acts 17:24-25; Acts 7: 47-49; 1 Cor. 3: 9 & 16; 2 Cor. 6:16.References which prove that the church was not a building: Acts 5:11,  8:1-3, 9:31, 11:22, 12:5, & 14:27.  Early church history shows no buildings erected for public worship until 300 years after Christ.    The church met in the home.  In Luke 22 Jesus blended the O.T.   Passover feast and the N.T. breaking of bread in a private home in   the city of Jerusalem.   The Passover feast was always observed in the homes of the Jewish people.  References to the church in the home: Rom. 16:3-5; 1 Cor. 16:19; Col. 4:15; Philemon 2.N.T. church method of service and worship:

1. Each to have a part: 1 Cor. 11:4-5, 15; 14:26, 31-33, & 40.

  a. Singing, praying, prophesying (speaking to edify, comfort or exhort) and partaking of the emblems are all a part of the service.

2. Overseers (bishops or elders) appointed by the ministry to feed the Church: Titus 1: 4-9; 1 Tim. 3: 1-7; Acts 20:28.  God's order:  the church Subject to the elder; the elder subject to the ministry; the ministry subject to Christ; and Christ subject to God.  The elders are responsible for the church in the absence of the ministry and also enable the ministry to move on and reach others with the gospel.

a. The ministers did not forget God's people but returned to see them: Acts: 14: 22-23, Acts: 15:36.

  b. When it was not possible for those who brought them the gospel to visit, other ministers were sent: 2 Cor. 7: 6-7, Phil. 2:19.

  c.  Letters were also written by the ministers to the churches and this accounts for the epistles of the N.T., most of which were written by Paul.

3.  Communion service a very important part of the meeting: 1 Cor. 11:23-29. Instituted by Jesus in Luke 22 on the last night of His life.The headquarters of God's true church is in heaven: Heb.12: 22-23.   Don't Forsake the assembling of yourselves together: Heb. 10:25.REFERENCES ON BAPTISMIs baptism necessary:

1. Three reasons why it is necessary:  a. Jesus, our example, was baptized.  Matt. 3:13-17; Luke 3: 21-24.    He was baptized, not to make Him the Son of God, but because He was The Son of God, fulfilling all righteousness.  He traveled a long distance to be baptized by John, a man sent from God.  He was immersed in the river Jordan.  He entered into this experience in the spirit of prayer.... heaven was opened...God spoke audibly. The Spirit descended.2. Jesus commanded His disciples to baptize.... Matt. 28: 19-20.3. This is what the disciples of Jesus taught: Acts 8: 37-38; Acts 9:17-18; Acts 10: 44-48; Acts 16: 14-15; Acts 18:8.When is a person ready for baptism?  Only believers are baptized:  Mark 1:15; Acts 8:37; Matt. 21:32; Mark 16:16, and Acts 2:41.What does baptism teach?  Rom. 6: 13-14.  This teaches a death, burial and Resurrection.  We die to the world, to the desires of the flesh that are contrary to the teachings of Jesus and we are raised   in newness of life with Christ.  Col. 2:11-12; Gal. 3: 27; 1 Cor.10:1-2.  The children of Israel heard the word of God in Egypt; they believed and obeyed God's word. They left Egypt after partaking of   the Passover lamb and were baptized unto Moses in the cloud and the sea.What is the form of baptism?  Rom. 6:4; Acts 8: 38.Who has a right to baptize?  Matt. 28: 16-20.  Charge given to N.T.   Ministry.Three aspects of baptism:  Baptism of the Holy Ghost, Acts 10: 44,   Baptism of water, Acts 10: 43; Baptism of fire or suffering, Matt. 3:11; Matt.20: 22 & 27; Luke 12: 50;one baptism Eph.4: 5.