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Call Operators Are Standing By!!!

Call Operators Are Standing By!!!. Call And --- Ask For A Copy Of This Presentation. BY EMAIL, BY FLOPPY DISK or IN PRINT. Ask To Be Added To The Beacon’s Mailing. Ask For A Free Bible Correspondence Course. Call With A --- Biblical Question Or Comment.

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Call Operators Are Standing By!!!

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  1. Call Operators Are Standing By!!! • Call And --- • Ask For A Copy Of This Presentation. • BY EMAIL, BY FLOPPY DISK or IN PRINT. • Ask To Be Added To The Beacon’s Mailing. • Ask For A Free Bible Correspondence Course. • Call With A --- • Biblical Question Or Comment. • Receive a Biblical Answer – “Book, Chapter and Verse”. Call (828) 327-9459 or - WHKY

  2. WHY WE BELIEVE IN UNDENOMINATIONAL CHRISTIANITY 1 Peter 3:15 “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:” The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

  3. Many “denominational” preachers say: • “Denominations are not in the Bible, so it doesn’t matter what denomination you join.” • We set forth another idea - often overlooked • Don’t be a part of any denomination. • It is true that denominations are not in the Bible. • It is also true that they have no scriptural right or reason to exist

  4. Acommonmistake • Since “Denominate” means - “to give a name to; call” (Funk & Wagnalls Standard Desk Dictionary), • “denomination” simply refers to what people call themselves religiously. • Reply: • 1) The children of God should call ourselves what God’s word says we are • I Peter 4:11 – speak as oracles of God • 2) Religious “denominationalism” involves much more than just names or designations

  5. Dealing with the problems of “denominationalism”: • Requires properly understanding scriptural concepts of “church”. • Dealt with at length in previous broadcasts, including earlier this year: • “WHY WE BELIEVE IN THE NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH”

  6. Dealing with the problems of “denominationalism”: • Requires properly understanding the scriptural concepts of “church”. • Gk. – ekklessia – lit., called out (ones) • In N.T. usage and emphasis, the practical meaning is “assembly”. • A gathering, an assembly ofpeople (In our context = saints, disciples, Christians)

  7. CHURCH = EKKLESSIA (assembly) • Two primary uses in N.T.: • 1) “UNIVERSAL” (or “general”) - the whole assembly of people who are saved, both living and dead. • (“Assembled” to God in Christ – through the gospel). • Matthew 16:18 – “I will Build My church.” • Ephesians 4:4 – One body • All the saved are added to the church (universal) – Acts 2:47

  8. CHURCH = EKKLESSIA (assembly) • Two primary uses in N.T.: • 1) “UNIVERSAL” (or “general”) - the whole assembly of people who are saved, both living and dead. • All the saved are added to the church by the Lord (universal) – Acts 2:47 • Thus all the saved are in the church (universal) • We do not get into the church in order to be saved; • We are added to the church (universal) WHEN we are saved (cleansed from sin). • Salvation and membership in the church (universal) happen at the same time.

  9. CHURCH = EKKLESSIA (assembly) • Two primary uses in N.T.: • 1) Universal – the whole assembly of people who are saved, both living and dead. (added by Lord) • (Do not physically all assemble in one place) • 2) Local - a company of saved people (as far as we can determine) - in a geographical area who work and worship together as a local congregation /assembly. • I Cor. 1:1-2 – church of God at Corinth • Rev. 1-3 – seven churches of Asia • (Fellowship by agreement of members based on the truth of God – I Cor. 5; Acts 9:26-28) • (Literally assemble in one place – I Cor. 14:13)

  10. “CHURCH” in the New Testament • “Church” as used in the New Testament refers to “relationship” (fellowship; communion) between God and His people. • (and extends to the relationship of God’s people to one another, because of the relationship they share with God.)

  11. “CHURCH” in the New Testament • Universal – Matt. 16:18; Eph. 4:4 • Denomination? - ??????? • Local – Rev. 1-3; I Cor. 1:1 • A denomination is a collection of churches – not simply a collection of people. • A denomination is smaller than the “church universal” and larger than a “local church.” • It is neither - and is not in the Bible.

  12. “CHURCH” in the New Testament • Two primary uses in N.T.: • Universal • Local • “Local” churches are made up of individual saints – I Cor. 1:1-2 – those sanctified = called saints. • The “universal” church is made up of individual saints – I Pet. 2:4-6 (not a collection of churches) • A denomination is a collection of churches • (Notice: NO scripture.)

  13. The Problem Further Demonstrated- Baptism and “Denominationalism” • Rom. 6:3 “Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death?” • Gal. 3:26 “For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.”

  14. The Problem Further Demonstrated- Baptized and “Denominationalism” • I Cor 12:12 “For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ. 13 For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body- -whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free--and have all been made to drink into one Spirit.” • “Denominationalists” say we are baptized into the “local church” or “denomination. • The Bible indicates that we are baptized into the one body of Christ (“church universal”)

  15. Attempts to prove “Denominationalism” • I Cor. 12:12f – One body; many members. • Denominationalism says, • “The branches are different denominations…” • The simple and obvious meaning of the text: The body = the church. • Members = individual Christians

  16. Attempts to prove “Denominationalism” • John 15:1-8 – Vine and branches • Denominationalism says, • “The branches are different denominations…” • The simple and obvious meaning of the text: • Vine = Christ • Vine-dresser = Father • Branches = individual disciples

  17. Attempts to prove “Denominationalism” • Acts 15- Meeting @ Jerusalem concerning (circumcision). • Denominationalism says, • “We need to have ‘church conventions,’ etc. to decide what we are to believe and teach.” • The simple and obvious meaning of the text: • The decision was reached on the basis of revelation from the Holy Spirit by inspired individuals BEFORE the completed New Testament was available. – verse 28; I Cor. 13:(8-13)

  18. Effects of Denominationalism • Denominationalism promotes division. • God desires unity – John 17:20-23; Ephesians 4:1-6 • Denominationalism promotes “doctrines” and “traditions” of men – not the doctrine of Christ found in the scriptures. • Matthew 15:7-9; II John 9-11 • (“Creeds,” “church doctrines,” etc. come from man – not God. The Bible is sufficient – II Tim. 3:16-17)

  19. Effects of Denominationalism • Denominationalism creates “churches” (denominations) made up of many local congregations – requiring unscriptural organization: • (church conventions, etc. to make the rules) • The scriptures give the basis for independent and self-governing local churches ruled by the word of God. • Ex. - Acts 14:23; Titus 1:5; I Pet. 5:2

  20. Undenominational Christianity • This is the only “kind” of Christianity we can read about in the word of God. • Therefore there is NO reason to form or join denominations, and every reason NOT to. • WON’T YOU BE JUST A CHRISTIAN?

  21. Call To Speak ToUS Live Now!!! • Call And --- • Ask For A Copy Of This Presentation. • BY EMAIL, BY FLOPPY DISK or IN PRINT. • Ask To Be Added To The Beacon’s Mailing. • Ask For A Free Bible Correspondence Course. • Call With A --- • Biblical Question Or Comment. • Receive a Biblical Answer – “Book, Chapter and Verse”. Call (828) 327-9459 or - WHKY

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