Questions about the church of Christ1 Peter 3:15

1 Peter 3:15

But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear;

Didn’t Alexander Campbell start the church of Christ?

• You can’t start something that is already in existence and that wasn’t paid for by you.

Acts 2:14-16But Peter, standing up with the eleven, raised his voice and said to them, " Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and heed my words. For these are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day. But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:

Acts 20:28Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.

Matthew 16:15-18He said to them, " But who do you say that I am?“ Simon Peter answered and said, " You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.“ Jesus answered and said to him, " Blessed are you, Simon Bar- Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.

Matthew 16:15-18And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.

Didn’t Alexander Campbell start the church of Christ?

• You can’t start something that is already in existence and that wasn’t paid for by you.

• The role of Alexander Campbell

Acts 2:42And they continued steadfastly in the apostles ' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.

Ephesians 4:4-6There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

Didn’t Alexander Campbell start the church of Christ?

• You can’t start something that is already in existence and that wasn’t paid for by you.

• The role of Alexander Campbell• If a teaching began with Campbell…

Ezekiel 3:27But when I speak with you, I will open your mouth, and you shall say to them, ' Thus says the Lord God. ' He who hears, let him hear; and he who refuses, let him refuse; for they are a rebellious house.

1 Peter 4:11If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Is the church of Christ a cult?1. Defining a “cult”

Acts 17:22-23Then Paul stood in the midst of the Areopagus and said, " Men of Athens, I perceive that in all things you are very religious; for as I was passing through and considering the objects of your worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO THE UNKNOWN GOD

Isn’t the church of Christ a cult?Definition of a “cult” (Webster’s Dictionary)1. a small religious group that is not part of a larger and more accepted religion and that has beliefs regarded by many people as extreme or dangerous

Is the church of Christ a cult?1. Defining a “cult”2. Comparison of definition to church of Christ

Matthew 15:10-14When He had called the multitude to Himself, He said to them, " Hear and understand:11 Not what goes into the mouth defiles a man; but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man." Then His disciples came and said to Him, "Do You know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this saying?"

Matthew 15:10-14But He answered and said, " Every plant which My heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted. Let them alone. They are blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind leads the blind, both will fall into a ditch."

Matthew 15:10-14• offended when they heard this saying• Every plant which My heavenly Father has not

planted will be uprooted.

Is the church of Christ a cult?1. Defining a “cult”2. Comparison of definition to church of Christ 3. Comparison of definition to denominations

Is the church of Christ a cult?To quote a Baptist preacher:“we can do various works with them but we couldn’t worship with them”.

Matthew 15:8These people draw near to Me with their mouth, And honor Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me.

What do these questions reveal?• Because denominations have men who began

their groups some want to assign Campbell as the person who began the church of Christ.

• A cult isn’t always a group that believes or teaches differently from what you or others may be used to or believe as what is right.

1 Peter 3:15

But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear;