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Mark Driscoll: 8 Marks of a True New Testament Church

2. The Church is Organized Under Qualified Leadership.

Inside the book of Acts, we see the leadership role of the Apostles, including their unique role in teaching (Acts 2:42), their receiving of gifts (Acts 4:35-5:2), and their leading the congregation in wise decision-making (Acts 6:1-6).

We also observe the church appointment of elders in Acts 14:23, and in Acts 6, we see the beginning of what was likely the office of deacon.

3. The Church Gathers to Hear Preaching and to Respond in Worship.

The church is to be nurtured through the preaching of the whole counsel of God’s Word (Acts 20:27). This is the primary way by which the church learns and grows.

The early church was known to regularly devote themselves to the teaching of the Apostles (Acts 2:42).

The church is also a worshipful community that responds to the preaching of God’s Word in praise and the service of others (Acts 2:11, 47).

4. The Church Rightly Administers the Sacraments.

The church regularly administers the sacraments of baptism and Communion.

5. The Church is Spiritually Unified.

God the Holy Spirit unifies the church. In this way, the unified life of the Trinity is manifested among God’s people who live in loving unity together as the church.