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WHAT ABOUT THE CHURCH OF CHRIST
Is the church of Christ any different from other churches?
- Does it have a Creed?
- What does it believe.
- These and other questions will be answered in this study.
- WHY DO WE EXIST?
- Not to add another church to the many denominations already existing.
- The church of Christ is not a denomination. John 17:21; 1 Cor. 1:10-11.
- The church of Christ is committed to the plea of Christ.
- To restore primitive Christianity.
- To exalt Christ above all party and human names.
- Therefore: Where the Bible speaks, we speak. Where the Bible is silent, we are silent. In faith unity--in opinions and methods--liberty-- in all things love. No book but the Bible--no name but the divine name.
- The church of Christ began in 33 AD--Pentecost following the resurrection of Christ-Acts 2
- Jesus was preached--the Jews heard and believed--Acts 2:37-38, 47.
- Luke 8:11--The seed of the Kingdom is the word of God.
- Same word preached today that was preached then will produce the same church.
- THE NAME OF THE CHURCH.
- General: The church--Matt. 16:18; The church of God--Acts 20:28.
- Congregationally: The church of Christ--Rom. 16:16.
- Individual members were called Christians--Isa. 62:1-2; Acts 11:26.
- Christ is the head of the church--Col. 1:18.
- Each congregation has--Jesus as head. Elders as overseers of local congregation. Deacons who are special servants. Preacher or evangelist. Teachers.
- THE MISSION OF THE CHURCH.
- To glorify God--This is the chief function.
- Glorify God in preaching, Matt. 28:19-20.
- .................... In holy living, Tit. 2:11-12.
- .................... In looking after the needs of the members of the church--1 Thess. 5:14.
- .................... By remembering the poor--Gal. 2:9; James 1:27.
- .................... By the way we live --Matt. 5:16.
- To glorify God--This is the chief function.
- THE WORSHIP OF THE NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH
- The Lord's Supper - every first day of the week - Acts 2:42; Acts 20:7.
- Singing - Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16.
- Giving - 1 Cor. 16:1-2.
- Prayer - Acts 2:42.
- Teaching - Matt. 28:19-20.
- HOW TO ENTER THE NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH
- Must be converted.
- Must be born again--Acts 2:37-38; 2 Cor. 5:17; Rom. 6:3-4; Gal. 3:26-27.
- The importance of baptism: Beautiful as it is re-enactment of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus. The final acts to take us out of sin into a saved state--Mk. 16:16.