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WHAT MAKES A CHURCH A CHURCH OF CHRIST?

WHAT MAKES A CHURCH A CHURCH OF CHRIST?. Does it make a difference? Can we tell the difference? 1 Peter 3:15. “Unless the LORD builds the house, they labor in vain who build it” (Psa. 127:1) “…I will build my church…the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it” (Matt. 16:18)

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WHAT MAKES A CHURCH A CHURCH OF CHRIST?

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  1. WHAT MAKES A CHURCH A CHURCH OF CHRIST? Does it make a difference? Can we tell the difference? 1 Peter 3:15

  2. “Unless the LORD builds the house, they labor in vain who build it” (Psa. 127:1) “…I will build my church…the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it” (Matt. 16:18) “…every house is built by someone, but He who built all things is God” (Heb. 3:4) House the Lord Built Church of Christ

  3. Christ and His Church • Who do men say Jesus is? (Matt. 16:13-16) • “Prophet of God…Good Moral Teacher…” • “Who do you say I, the Son of Man, am?” • What do men say His church is? (Matt. 16:18) • “Cult… Legalists… Water Salvationists… Antis… Extremists…” • What does the Bible say His church is?

  4. Christ and His Church • In God’s eternal plan (Eph. 3:10-11) • God is glorified in the church (Eph. 3:21) • Christ is head; church is body(Eph. 1:21-23) • Christ only has one body(Eph. 4:4) • Christ is its chief-cornerstone(Eph. 2:19-20) • Christ is its Savior(Eph. 5:23) • Christ adds saved to church (Acts 2:47)

  5. “CHURCH OF CHRIST” Local 1 Cor. 1:2; Gal. 1:2 Romans 16:16 - Congregations - Universal Mt. 16:18; Heb. 12:23 Eph. 1:22; 3:21; 5:23 -All the saved-

  6. Christ and His Church • What makes a church a church of Christ? • We can be united in truth! Eph. 4:3-6 • Jesus tells us in His word & His truth settles the matter! • Study to be approved,2 Tim. 2:15 • Understand,Eph. 3:3-4; 5:17 • Ready to give an answer,1 Pet. 3:15

  7. What makes a local church a church that belongs to Christ? • Makes a difference…We can tell the difference! • Not all agree… “The question arises, however, what if a congregation takes on a non-Biblical name, such as “New Testament Church” or “Fellowship of Christ”? Does it then cease to be a church of Christ? …

  8. What makes a local church a church that belongs to Christ? “… Or in the area of organization, what if a Church of Christ follows the Baptist pattern of having the deacons run the church? I have known of such happening when the elders resigned. Does such a church cease to be a church of Christ when this happens? If so, does it once again become a church of Christ when it again appoints elders? …

  9. What makes a local church a church that belongs to Christ? “… These questions relate to what is sometimes called “the marks of the true church.” It is commonly taught that for a congregation to be a church of Christ it must have the right name, worship, organization, teaching, etc. But while all these things are important, they are not what makes a congregation a church of Christ, either individually or collectively.” (Bruce Terry) What Makes a Congregation a Church of Christ (1982) http://www.bible.ovc.edu/terry/articles/whatmake.htm Firm Foundation, 18May99

  10. Luke 13:23-27 What Does Not Make a Church a Church of Christ? • Past accomplishments,Rev. 2:2-3, 5 (Heb. 6:9-12) • Continue in diligent perseverance, Rev. 3:8-11 • Present reputation, Rev. 3:1 • Lord knows the truth

  11. Luke 13:23-27 What Does Not Make a Church a Church of Christ? • Just saying it is so,Rev. 3:14-19 (Prov. 14:12) • A sign that says it is so,Rom. 2:28-29 (9:6) • Not advocating a name change • Name identifies, Rom. 16:16 • Must be faithful to belong to Christ, Rom. 8:8-9 (Gal. 5:4-6)

  12. Hebrews 3:4 What Makes a Church a Church of Christ? RIGHT HEAD: JESUS • Submit to Christ’s authorityEph. 5:24; Col. 3:17; Lk. 6:46 (Matt. 28:18) • Right head (Christ), Rev. 1:17-18 • Right heart, Col. 3:12-16 • Right living, Col. 3:1-11

  13. Hebrews 3:4 What Makes a Church a Church of Christ? TEACHING & PRACTICE • Sound Doctrine (preach & practice) • Whole counsel of God, Acts 20:27 • No other, 1 Tim.1:3; 4:6; 6:3-5 • Hold fast this pattern, 2 Tim. 1:13; 2:14-16; 4:2-4 • Fellowship Christ, 2 Jno. 9; Rev.2:5 GAL 1:6-10

  14. Hebrews 3:4 What Makes a Church a Church of Christ? TEACHING & PRACTICE • Plan of Salvation (Acts 16:30) • Hear gospel, Rom. 10:17 • Believe gospel, Mk. 16:15-16 • Confess faith, Rom. 10:9-10 • Repent of sins, Acts 2:38; 17:30 • Baptized, Mk. 16:16; Acts 2:38 GAL 1:6-10

  15. Hebrews 3:4 What Makes a Church a Church of Christ? TEACHING & PRACTICE • Worship (Jno. 4:24; Acts 2:42) • Prayer, 1 Cor. 14:15-16 • Singing, Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16 • Lord’s supper, 1 Cor. 11:23-26 • Preaching, Acts 20:7 • Giving, 1 Cor. 16:2 GAL 1:6-10

  16. Hebrews 3:4 What Makes a Church a Church of Christ? TEACHING & PRACTICE • Organization (Phil. 1:1; 1 Pet. 5:2) • Independent • Autonomous • Sufficient to do its work • No adjunct human organizations • No sponsoring churches GAL 1:6-10

  17. Hebrews 3:4 What Makes a Church a Church of Christ? TEACHING & PRACTICE • Work (1 Ths. 1:3) • Care for needy saints, 1 Tim. 5:16; Acts 4:32-35 • Evangelism, Phil. 1:5-7; 4:15-16 • Edification, Eph. 4:11-12; 1 Cor. 14:26 GAL 1:6-10

  18. Hebrews 3:4 What Makes a Church a Church of Christ? TEACHING & PRACTICE • Marriage, divorce & remarriage • Honorable among all, Heb. 13:4 • Do not put asunder, Matt. 19:6 • But I say to you, Matt. 19:9 • Bound by law for life, Rom. 7:2-3 • Only one exception, Matt. 19:9 GAL 1:6-10

  19. Hebrews 3:4 What Makes a Church a Church of Christ? TEACHING & PRACTICE • Fellowship (1 Jno. 1:3-4) • Receive fellow workers for the truth, 3 Jno. 5-8 • Do not receive those who go beyond the doctrine of Christ, 2 Jno. 10-11 (Eph. 5:11) GAL 1:6-10

  20. Hebrews 3:4 What Makes a Church a Church of Christ? TEACHING & PRACTICE • Holy living (1 Ths. 4:3) • Cease sin, Rom. 6:2 (Acts 19:18-20) • Living sacrifices, Rom. 12:1-2 • Bear fruit of the Spirit, Gal. 5:22-23 • Holy as God is holy, 1 Pet. 1:15-16 GAL 1:6-10

  21. 2 Cor. 11:3-4, 12-15 The Devil Objects! “It is certainly not the purpose of this article to condone false teaching. But to teach that a church must be doing or teaching everything exactly right in order to be a church of Christ is itself false teaching.” (Bruce Terry, “What Makes a…Church of Christ”) 2 TIM 3:10

  22. 2 Cor. 11:3-4, 12-15 The Devil Objects! “DEMAND IMPOSSIBLE!” • 100% doctrinal conformity, Jno. 8:32; 17:17; Eph. 3:3-4; 5:17 • Always been divisions, Acts 9:31 • We’ll have to “agree to disagree” Jno. 17:20-21; 1 Cor. 1:10; Eph. 4: 1-6; 2 Cor. 6:14-7:1 2 TIM 3:10

  23. Jude 3 Christ Commands! REMAIN FAITHFUL TO “THE FAITH” • Some will depart the faith, 1 Tim. 4:1 • Truth, words of faith, the good doctrine, 1 Tim. 4:3, 6 • Hold fast word of life, Phil. 2:16 2 TIM 3:10

  24. Hebrews 3:4 What Makes a Church a Church of Christ? FAITHFUL TO DO GOD’S WILL • Christians who do not do the Father’s will do not go to heaven, Matt. 7:21-23 • We must hold fast, Heb. 3:4-6 • Unity in truth is possible & commanded, 1 Cor. 1:10 2 TIM 3:10

  25. Hebrews 3:4 What Makes a Church a Church of Christ? FAITHFUL TO DO GOD’S WILL • Churches that do not do the will of Christ will not continue in fellowship with Christ, Rev. 2:5 (1:13, 20) 2 TIM 3:10

  26. A CHURCH OF CHRIST • Right Head (Christ) • Right Teaching & Practice • Sound doctrine • True worship • Local organization • Spiritual work • Holy living

  27. Christ is Among the Churches “He who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands” • The Lord knows who are His 2 Tim. 2:19 • Be faithful or Jesus removes the lampstand from its place! Rev. 2:5 REV 2:1

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