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The pages of the New Testament contain a brief but accurate history of the first century New Testament church. Records of the church’s history outside the New Testament are unsupported by inspiration and therefore may be subject to inaccuracies. Church historians have provided helpful records of the church’s history since the first century to the present age.

Divine foresight has anticipated the difficulties arising from attempts to trace church history throughout the ages. Within the pages of the Bible is the identity of the one true church. While uninspired records differ and church history is obscure throughout certain times, the church has always existed. The church exists in the “seed” form while it may not exist in outward form. The word of God, the Bible, can be easily planted into the honest heart and therefore produce the christian. (Luke 8:11) This product, the Christian, is a member of the church of Christ. (Matthew 13:23)

Application of the doctrines of the New Testament scriptures produce the same church that existed in the first century church. The New Testament scriptures contain all the information needed to identify the New Testament church. (II Timothy 3:16-17, II Peter 1:3) Today this church, the church of Christ, is known by its adherence to the New Testament doctrines in worship, church government and works.

Today, the true church of Christ follows the same pattern set forth in the New Testament. The first century church was composed of separate and autonomous congregations. Each congregation was to be governed by it own elders. Deacons were selected to assist. (Philippians1:1) Worship consisted of singing, praying, giving, preaching and taking the Lord’s supper. (Ephesians 5:19, I Corinthians 11:20-29, 16:1-2, Acts. 20:7)

Many other teachings and authorized practices are observed in the New Testament. Therefore, by using the Bible as our only guide, we can know and serve in the true historical church that Christ built, the church of Christ. (Matthew 16:18)