Prov. 9:1  "WISDOM HATH BUILDED HER HOUSE, SHE HATH HEWN OUT HER SEVEN PILLARS."
(Acts 2:41-42)
I. Then They That Gladly Received His Word.  (1st pillar)
    A. “Gladly received” means to accept what is offered.
    B. Any time the gospel is preached salvation is offered.  I Pet.1:23  Being born
        again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptibl e, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.
    C. "Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again." John 3:7
    D. It is at the point of faith that we are saved. Rom. 10:9-13
II. They Were Baptized.  (2nd pillar)
    A. First righteous act after salvation. Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. But John
         forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me?  And Jesus answering said unto him,
         Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him. Matt. 3:13-15
    B. One must have proper baptism before becoming a church member.
        1. Proper authority.
        2. Proper administrator.
        3. Proper manner.
        4. Proper reason.
    C. Baptism is an outward manifestation of the inward change.
III. And the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. ( 3rd pillar is church membership)
    A. The church was conceived in the mind of God ~ the Holy Trinity. Eph 1:11 In whom also we have obtained an
         inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of
         his own will: Eph. 3:8-10
    B. Her election was made to fill a vacancy at Christ’s side that angels could not fill. Eph. 1:4 According as he hath chosen
         us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
        1. One day the Lord’s New Testament church Bride is going to Judge angels.  I Cor. 6:3 Know ye not that we shall
            judge angels?
    C. The only witness Jesus has on earth is His churches which began in Galilee during His personal ministry. Acts 10:37-39
    D. The under world cannot prevail against her. Matt. 16:18
    E. The ages cannot out live her. Eph. 3:21
    F. The nations of the world cannot stop her mission nor alter her course. Acts 1:8; Matt. 28:19-20
    G. Her enduring pillars of truth cannot be deleted by political powers. I Tim. 3:15; But if I tarry long, that thou mayest
         know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and
         ground of the truth.  Matt. 24:35; Psa. 119:89
    H. The church’s destiny is a joint ruler-ship with Christ on earth, in the kingdom age. Matt. 19:28; And Jesus said unto
         them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the
         throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.  Luke 22:28-30: "Ye are
         they which have continued with me in my temptations. And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed
         unto me;"
     I. Her place and position is to rule jointly with Christ. Jn 14:3; Rom. 8:17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and
        joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
     J. God the Father will still get glory through His Son’s Bride (the church) in eternity. Eph. 3:21
    K. A child of God can only strive lawfully in a New Testament church.  II  Tim.2:5: AND THEY (those that were added
         unto them, "the Church.") CONTINUED SEDFASTLY IN THE APOSTLES…" v. 42
IV. Doctrine. (4th pillar)
    A. They practiced what the apostles taught.  Matt. 28:20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have
         commanded you.
    B. The church at Berea. Acts 17:11
    C. The elders at Ephesus. Acts 20:29-32
    D. Psa. 68:11 The Lord gave the word: great was the company of those that published it.
    E. All that Missionary Baptist preach and teach can be found n the Bible.
        1. If it’s in the Bible then it’s Baptist doctrine, if it’s Baptist doctrine then its in the Bible.
V. And fellowship, joint participation (5th pillar)
VI. And in breaking of bread, referring to Lord's Supper. (6th pillar)  I Cor. 10:16-18
    A. Behold Israel after the flesh.  Num. 9:10-13
VII. And in prayers. (7th pillar)    I Thess. 5:17; James 5:16
    A. Elijah had power with God; he was a praying man. James 5:17 Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are,
         and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months.
    B. Daniel had power with God; He was a praying man. Dan. 6:10
    C. The church at Jerusalem was a praying church. Acts 4:31- 33
Conclusion: Matt. 7:24-27