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Discover the importance of relying on God's Word for the salvation of your soul and understanding the role of the church. Explore biblical teachings on salvation, worship, and organization within the divine blueprint. Learn why the "Church of Christ" is not a denominational title, but a phrase that represents adherence to Biblical guidelines.
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A Proper Answer Requires Proper Source • What I think about it is NOT the deciding factor • What YOU think about it is NOT the deciding factor • What SOMEBODY ELSE says about it is NOT the deciding factor
A Proper Answer Requires Proper Source • What GOD says about it in His Word IS the deciding factor • Matthew 7:13,14 • Matthew 7:21-24 • Titus 2:11; John 3:16; 1 Timothy 2:3,4 • John 17:17
RELYING UPON GOD’S WORD AS OUR SOLE SOURCE FOR THE SOUL • “Speaking where the Bible speaks, being silent where the Bible is silent” • Doing Bible things in Bible ways; Calling Bible things by Bible names {Colossians 3:17; 1 Corinthians 4:6}
THE CHURCH & SALVATION • Acts 2:47 “Lord add to the church” • Ephesians 5:23,27 “Christ is head of the church” • Which church are people added to? • Which church will be saved? • The church established by Christ – that belongs to Him
THE CHURCH THAT BELONGS TO HIM • Matthew 16:13-18 • Note the singular nature of Christ’s church • Ephesians 1:22,23 “head over all things to the church, which is His body” • Ephesians 4:4 “there is one body” • We need to make sure the church of which we are a part is indeed the church that belongs to Christ
THREE AREAS WITHIN THE DIVINE BLUEPRINT 1. The Plan of Salvation • After Hearing the Word- a person must: • Believe – John 3:16; 8:24 • Confess – Matthew 10:32; Romans 10:9-11 • Repent – Acts 17:30 • Be Baptized – Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; 1Peter 3:21 • Remain Faithful- John 14:15; Romans 6:4
THREE AREAS WITHIN THE DIVINE BLUEPRINT 2. Worship • Worship important topic throughout the Bible – Genesis - Revelation • Worship very serious with God – Matthew 15:9 • Must conform to God’s Pattern: • Lord’s Supper – Matthew 26:26,27; 1 Corinthians 11:23-29; Acts 20:7 • Singing – Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16
THREE AREAS WITHIN THE DIVINE BLUEPRINT 2. Worship • Must conform to God’s Pattern: • Giving – 1 Corinthians 16:1,2 • Preaching – Acts 20:7 • Praying – Acts 2:42
THREE AREAS WITHIN THE DIVINE BLUEPRINT 3. Organization • Autonomous congregations with men who met specific qualifications – 1 Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9 • Elders – overseers, shepherds, bishops, pastors – Acts 14:23; Titus 1:5 • Deacons – 1 Timothy 3:8-13
THE “CHURCH OF CHRIST” NOT TO BE LOOKED AT AS DENOMINATIONAL TITLE • It is a descriptive phrase • What is taught & practiced determines the identity of a church • Whether it follows the Biblical pattern & instructions determines if it belongs to Christ & whether or not its members have hope of eternal life in Heaven