Is The Christian Church The New Testament church?

1. Is The Christian Church The New Testament church? Short Answer: NO!

2. Facts: Some “Churches of Christ” are not or at least no longer New Testament churches No denomination is the Lord’s church… They are only denominations A “denomination” is a “part” of an original The Lord’s church is not a denomination… It IS the original! The long answer will prove it

3. Why are so many desiring fellowship with denominations? Perhaps because of I Samuel 8.5 Real question— Romans 4.3 We must ever Acts 17.11 It is never correct to ask “What’s wrong with…” Rather, ask “What’s RIGHTwith…” Or, “Where is the authority for…”

4. My assumption— We all desire to obey Titus 1.9 We must know what the Bible teaches regarding… The Lord’s church— Ephesians 3.11 Denominations [including the Christian Church]— Matthew 15.9…13 Fellowship—Ephesians 5.6,7…I John 1.3,7

5. Is the Christian Church the New Testament church? No, it fails in at least these passages— Acts 2.42— apostles’ doctrine… II John 9— abiding in Christ’s doctrine… It opposes Romans 12.1,2 All the Christian Church has proved… It wants “religion” on its own terms Colossians 2.23

6. A closer look at Romans 12.1,2 Good means “righteous” Psalm 119.172 Therefore, “good” is what the Bible teaches Acceptable means “pleasing” Hebrews 11.6 Therefore, pleasing God is based upon The Faith Perfect means “mature” Matthew 5.48 Ephesians 5.1

7. The Christian Church does not imitate God… Because they are not children of God! They cannot please Him because they do not practice The Faith [Jude 3]… Thus, they cannot be considered righteous!

8. Is the Christian Church the New Testament church? No, because God does not have grandchildren! A child of a child of God, is not God’s grandchild… That person is lost until they become a child of God, a Christian, saved, a member of the Lord’s church! [tree]

9. The Christian Church of today… Is not the Christian Church of a hundred years ago! 1848 marks the beginning of the end… Mechanical instruments were introduced… Mission work was done through “societies”… Benevolence was given over to “institutions”… Biblical education was given over to “secular” colleges

10. The Christian Church of today… Never was the church of Christ… It Has always been a denomination Those Who Split in 1848-1906 formed something different [Galatians 1.6,7] They could have repented & been restored Those added to that following today… Are added to a denomination, not the church of Christ! God does not add people to “denominations”

11. A parallel—

12. 18,19 Centuries Ago… II Thessalonians 2 Paul describes The “falling away”; the man of sin The apostasy that became the Roman Catholic Church Those of that day could have simply repented & be restored But is this true of Catholics today? No! Those added to Catholicism today are part of something entirely different

13. Christians who join denominations… Must repent if they expect to be saved But members of denominations… Must repent & obey the Gospel… If they expect to be considered and called Christians!

14. Is the Christian Church the New Testament church? Some Say “Yes, to the degree that they teach the truth” Like being “kind of, partly, sort of saved” What did Jesus say? [Matthew 12.30] “Just alike but different” [Contradiction] Just alike but they use instrumental music” [Ignorance] Like saying: “We went to different high schools together”

15. Most people miss this simple, Biblical fact: Truth becomes lies in the mouths of liars! Mark 1.34 John 8.44

16. In the garden of Eden… The devil added to the word of God… At the temptation of Jesus… He misapplied the word of God

17. The Christian Church denomination Does the same thing with Acts 2.38… They apply “remission of sins” to their denomination not the church of Christ Galatians 4.9 Not true of denominations Matthew 7.21-23 Christ does not know members of denominations

18. Not just anyone may use God’s words— Psalm 50.16,17 Acts 16.16-18 Acts 19.13-16 Those who do not belong to Christ have no authority to use His word!

19. I know a preacher who asserts— “Catholics have authority from God to teach against abortion…” “Baptists have authority from God to teach against alcohol...” “…because God’s word is quick & powerful”

20. Fact: These denominations have no more authority to do God’s Work… Than the Salvation Army has to do benevolence!! If these act by God’s authority… By what authority do we NOT have fellowship with them in these works? Such thinking contradicts Ephesians 5.11

21. Someone will say… “But benevolence is not evil” True, but don’t forget— I John 2.21 James 2.10 Matthew 7.23 Ephesians 2.10

22. Is the Christian Church the New Testament church? No, it fails to Acts 6.7

23. Question from Acts 19.3— Some say “If the phrase ‘remission of sins’is used then they are saved” If true: Mormons, “Jehovah Witnesses,” Primitive Baptists, some Catholics, certain sects in India are our brethren [which church?]

24. Fact: One who is taught by a denominational teacher… Denominational doctrine… About a denominational organization… Regarding denominational membership… And denominational worship & practice… Though “remission of sins” is pronounced… That person does not suddenly become a “brother in error” Colossians 2.12—their faith is not in God’s work but in denominational doctrine!

25. Fellowship & Acts 2.38 Those who say Christian Church members only need to repent… Put the cart before the horse They teach Acts 2.38 the way Baptists teach Mark 16.16 Baptists teach: “He that believeth & is saved should be baptized”

26. To accept Christian Church members as Christians… They must teach Acts 2.38 this way: “Be baptized everyone of you in the name of Jesus Christ unto remission of sins and then repent” One is just as false a doctrine as the other!

27. Is the Christian Church the New Testament church? No, they are not a part of & do not know about the kingdom!

28. 4 things about Acts 8.12 1-things [good tidings, Gospel] are death, burial, resurrection of Christ—I Corinthians 15.1-4 2-thekingdom is the church Of Christ— Colossians 1.13 3-thenameofChrist is the authority of Christ—Colossians 3.17 4-baptism is salvation & entry into the body, which is the church—I Corinthians 12.13 Ephesians 4.4 Ephesians 5.23,26—what word? As the Bible teaches!

29. Christian Church members do not know about the kingdom… They might understand #1,3,4… But miss #2 and its connection with #4 They do not teach that the kingdom is the church of Christ… They teach the kingdom is the Christian Church, or some “body” made up of all the denominations! They fail to Acts 20.27 Remember…James 2.10!

30. Is the Christian Church the New Testament church? No, because their heart is not right [Acts 8.21] Their heart is not right because their conscience is not sprinkled clean [Hebrews 10.22] Their conscience is not clean because they did not appeal to God correctly [I Peter 3.21] They appealed to God through a lie [II Thessalonians 2.11] You cannot be taught wrong and baptized right! Baptism is where Acts 2.47 & I Corinthians 12.13 takes place [the Christian Church is not the body!] To follow a “form” that adds you to a denomination… Is not to follow God’s form [Romans 6.17] and be added to His Son’s kingdom, the church of Christ!

31. Until they follow God’s true form of doctrine… They have not yet died to sin [Romans 6.7] And cannot consider themselves dead to sin and alive to God through Christ [Romans 6.11] Christian Church members are members of a denomination… …and are not members of the Lord’s church, the church of Christ!