The New Testament Church is an assembly of believers, committed to the Kingdom Mandate, who gather one or more times each week under the Headship of Jesus Christ; who are submitted to each other in love; who support each other’s ongoing work of being and making disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ; who edify, exhort and comfort one another; who submit and relate to elders, ministry gifts and apostolic leaders; who participate in planting and supporting new assemblies of believers to do the same with their prayers, time, finances and material resources. Back to top

We believe the church has five foundational values that form the basis for all doctrine. Denominational doctrines have divided the Body of Christ. Sound biblical doctrine provides clear foundations for the believer (2Thessolonians 2:15; 2Timothy 3:16; Titus 1:9; 2:1) Values increase our ability to walk as one. The Apostle Paul taught that “…in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that [we should] all say the same thing, and that there may be no divisions among [us], so that [we] may be in complete agreement, in the same mind and in the same opinion (1Corinthians 1:10 Bible in Basis English). The five foundational values we embrace are:

                 i.   The Lordship of Jesus Christ 
                ii.    The Priesthood of all believers, 
               iii.    The acts and gifts of the Holy Spirit
               iv.   Spiritual and numerical growth through covenant relationships
                v.    No one among us shall lack
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In a cell church, the small intimate gathering of believers are part of the larger mother church. Often cell groups are just a ministry or program within the church. In a house church, the gathering of believers in the home is the primary church. Each gathering is autonomous but interdependent with other such gatherings in their city or region.Back to top

The Greek word ‘ecclesia’ literally means an assembly or gathering. When a group of believers assemble around Jesus Christ, they form the most basic level of the church. We use the term ‘gathering’ to describe the assembly of believers who form the church. The church is not a building or an ecclesiastical corporation with a religious name. The church is an assembly of two or more believers who ‘gather’ in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Buildings are the place where the ‘church’ gathers. Scripture reveals that these ‘gatherings’ often took place in the homes of the believers. Back to top

The bible teaches that whenever the believers gather, everyone should have something to contribute. One may have a song, another a revelation, or another may have a special teaching to share. No one person dominates the gathering. Everything shared is for the purpose of edifying, exhorting and comforting each other. In the gatherings, one person does not preach while the others just sit and listen. Everyone has the opportunity to share. Back to top

Jesus established the leadership structure for His church. They are elders who govern and protect the church. There are ministry gifts (apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers) who equip the believers for the work of ministry. There are deacons and deaconess who primarily manage the resources of the church. All leadership serve the church. Their focus is to serve every believer in the church by providing the resources they need to fulfill their calling, purpose and ministry.  Scripturally, after an apostle planted a church, ordained a team of elders to oversee it. Ministry gifts who were either in the local church or sent to them provided the spiritual insight the church needed to do the work of ministry. Back to top

The work of ministry is to make disciples. The work of ministry is not ushering, singing in the choir or praise team; it is not programs and events – those things did not exist when the Apostle Paul wrote to the church in Ephesus. The work of ministry is to go into all the world and make disciples of all nations. That is the primary goal of every believer. Back to top

Winning the lost to Jesus Christ is the responsibility of every believer. It is not the sole responsibility of church leadership. We teach that every believer should lead and disciple one person every year. We also teach that every believer should be in the process of being discipled by someone else at all times. This is why the ministry gifts are so important. They equip the believers by building in them the capacity to lead people to Jesus Christ and to successfully disciple them. Back to top

Most of us are familiar with the traditional church system. Even though the New Testament structure of gathering from house to house is found all throughout scripture, it has not been practiced for nearly 1,700 years. Therefore, it feels foreign to many believers. Training is designed to help believers establish strong biblical foundations that will strengthen their gatherings and insure they will continually bear fruit. Back to top

Although we have prepared training materials, we strongly believe the Holy Spirit determines what is needed for each new gathering. The books and training manuals are resources that we submit to the Holy Spirit for His use. In addition, we train those who believe God has called them to serve in one of the ascension gifts so that they can effectively equip believers for the work of ministry. When appropriate, we will send ministry teams to work directly with new gatherings and traditional churches who are transitioning into a New Testament structure. Back to top

We do not charge for training. We do however accept donations and sell our books and training materials. If specific funds are needed to provide training, we will discuss the matter with the group receiving the training. We may, as the Lord leads, seek others who may assist in helping to cover training expenses. Back to top

We encourage believers to give generously and often. We believe that each house gathering is an autonomous expression of the church and that what is received from giving should remain with that gathering. For the sake of accountability, the local elders will provide guidelines for handling money received. This summary cannot cover all of the biblical uses of funds received, but generally speaking, if there is a need within a gathering, the members of the gathering should determine how to meet that need. If there is a need in other gatherings, each gathering in the network should determine their response to that need. If there is a need in the network, each gathering should determine their response to that need. Back to top

Yes. Using contributions for tax purposes is an individual choice. We are aware that some choose not to. Regardless, we encourage and train local elders to maintain records of all financial giving as well as how funds are used. At the end of each year, you can receive a written statement of your contributions. This is critical to be good stewards over all that the Lord provides. Most importantly, good records provide accountability. Back to top

This is a complex question. We want to be clear that we have no intention of disrupting local churches. Generally speaking, if your church is not transitioning into a New Testament structured church, you should not start a gathering if it will cause conflict in between you, your church and your pastor. You should discuss your desire to have a gathering in your home with your current church leadership. If they approve, we will prayfully consider helping you to plant a gathering in your home. Your pastor needs to be aware that if you have a gathering in your home, and if you follow the biblical mandate to be fruitful, multiply, replenish the earth and subdue, it could result in other gatherings being planted by you that may have no connection with your church. Ultimately, our prayer is that your pastor will consider transitioning into a New Testament structured church. Back to top

You and your spouse need to be in full agreement. Do not create conflict in your home over church structure. Before starting a gathering in your home, you both should first attend another gathering in your area. Allow the Holy Spirit to lead you and your spouse in this matter. Back to top

The Center for New Testament Church Development is willing to assist you. We will meet with you and together we will prayerfully seek the mind of the Lord regarding how to proceed in your area. Always remember, it is the Lord alone who builds His Church and He knows how to establish a work in your area. Back to top

The Kingdom Mandate is the original mission God gave to man in the Garden of Eden. In Genesis 1:28 He commanded man to be fruitful, to multiply, to replenish the earth and to subdue it. Man’s obedience would result in biblical dominion where the influence of the rule of God is felt and known throughout the earth. Jesus and the New Testament apostles reinforced this mandate with the message of the Kingdom of God. “Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven…” combined with “…this gospel of the Kingdom shall be preached in all the world..” and activated by us following the command to “…go into all the world and make disciples…” is fulfilling the divine command to be fruitful, to multiply, to replenish the earth and subdue it. Back to top

Pray. You should know that the Lord is leading you to pursue this.

Fast. Consecrate yourself before the Lord and diligently seek His will for you in this matter.

Read the book, NO LONGER CHURCH AS USUAL. This is written to give you a clear picture of how the values and structure of the first century church looks today.

Contact The Center for New Testament Church Development. We will schedule a time meet and pray with you. Back to top