THE BEGINNING OF THE NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH
                         MATTHEW 16:15-18

INTRODUCTION:

     A.  Wrong about beginning date--wrong about conditions of salvation, governing 
           law, meaning and duty of membership.
     B.  There have been three periods of Bible history.
     1.  Tell when each began and ended.
     2.  Illustrate with our history as a nation.
     C.  God's dealing with man has always demanded the same thing--faith & obedience.
     D.  When did the New Testament Church begin?

I.  PROPHECY SAID IT WOULD BE IN DAYS OF ROMAN EMPIRE. Dan. 2:44.
     A.  It was shown to Nebuchadnezzar 600 years beforehand.
     1.  Head of Gold - Babylonian - Dan. 2:37-40.
     2.  Chest of Silver - Medo-Persian--Cyrus.
     3.  Belly & Thighs of Brass--Grecian--Alexander.
     4.  Feet & Toes of Iron mixed with Clay--Roman--31 BC-476 AD.
     B.  John and Jesus said soon at hand - Mt. 3:1; Lk. 1:14,15.
     C.  Apostles in it--Rev. 1:9; Col. 1:13.

II.  DEDUCTION--LIMITS THE TIME SPAN.
     A.  It could not have been before the death of Christ.
     1.  Or it would have been under abrogated law--Mt. 5:17-20; Col. 2:14.
     2.  Jesus gave a new covenant--Heb. 9:15-17.
     3.  Stone had to be tried before laid in Zion--Isa. 28:16; Rom. 1:14; Acts 4:11,
          12; Mk. 8:31.
     B.  It could not have been after the Apostles.
     1.  They spoke of the church as a reality--Col. 1:13; Mt. 16:18,19.
     2.  I will not trust my soul to something the apostles were not members of.

III.  REVELATION PINPOINTS THE EXACT TIME.
     A.  Isaiah 2:1-4; Acts 2.
     1.  Last days--Last days Acts 2:17.
     2.  Door opened to all nations--Every nation Acts 2:39; Eph. 2:11-13.
     3.  Law of Lord from Mt. Zion--took place on Mt. Zion.
     4.  Word go from Jerusalem--Lk. 24:46,47; Acts 2:38.
     B.  Mark 9:1; Acts 2.
     1.  Kingdom not yet come.
     2.  It was to come during lifetime of some present--none living now.
     3.  Some would die (Jesus and Judas).
     4.  Come with power - Lk. 24:49; Acts 1:6-8; Acts 2:1-4.
     C.  Dan. 7:13-14 (Lk. 19:11,12; Acts 1:9; I Pet. 3:22; Eph. 1:20-22).

CONCLUSION:

     A.  Terms of entrance set forth--here key click--Acts 2:38.
     B.  No one has right to change--bound & loosed.
     C.  Same Gospel--produce same results--Church of Christ.
     1.  Luke 8.
     2.  What if Philip had taken wheat seed to Samaria? Gen. 1:1,2; Gal. 6:7.
     3.  Take genuine Ford parts, properly assemble them--you won't get a motor-
          cycle!
          4.  Submit to Peter's condition--be a member of same Church!