The Church of Christ v 1.0

Are the versions of Christianity today better than the original Church of Christ v 1.0?

Answer: No! They are not improvements but departures of the original design!

They create confusion: “God is not the author of confusion, but of

peace, as in all churches of the saints.” (1 Cor 14:33)

History of the Church

Period of Perfection (Eph 2:14-15) “ 14 For he is our peace, who hath

made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; 15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace”

Period of Departure (1 Tim 4:1) “The Spirit speaks expressly, that in

latter times men shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils.”

History of the Church

Period of Apostasy – (The Church 2.0) From 6th to 16th century – Visible church could

not properly be called the church of Christ Period of Reformation

Luther, Zwingle, Wesley, Wycliffe, Calvin, Huss, etc.. attempted to reform the church.

Created more versions of Christ's church Period of Restoration

Battle Cry: “Speak where the Bible speaks, and be silent where the Bible is silent.”

The Identifying Marks ofThe Church of Christ v 1.0

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The Identifying Marks ofThe Church of Christ v 1.0

Origination – Seed (Lk 8:11) (1 Pet 1:23-25) “ 23 Being born again, not of

corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abides for ever. 24 For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower thereof falls away: 25 But the word of the Lord endures for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.”

The Identifying Marks ofThe Church of Christ v 1.0

Organization – Congregational Not denominationally organized (Phil 1:1) “Paul and Timotheus, the servants

of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons” Bishops – Shepherd the flock (1 Pet 5:1-3) Deacons – Serve the congregation (Acts

6:1-4) Saints – Work out own salvation (Phil 2:12) Evangelists – Preach the gospel (2 Tim 4:2)

The Identifying Marks ofThe Church of Christ v 1.0

Name – Christian This is the Name God called us!

(Acts 11:26) “The disciples were called Christians first in Antioch”

(Isa 62:2) “And the Gentiles shall see thy righteousness, and all kings thy glory: and thou shalt be called by a new name, which the mouth of the LORD shall name.”

The Identifying Marks ofThe Church of Christ v 1.0

Authority – The word of God, the Bible (1 Pet 4:11) “If any man speak, let him speak

as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever.”

Doctrine – The Gospel Message of the church v 1.0 (1 Cor 15:1-4)

The Identifying Marks ofThe Church of Christ v 1.0

Worship – By a Pattern! (1 Cor 11:2) “Now I praise you, brethren,

that ye remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances, as I delivered them to you.”

What ordinances? (ch 11) Lord's Supper, (ch 14) Orderly

conduct in worship, (ch 16) Offering (Gen 4:7) “If thou doest well, shalt thou not

be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lies at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.”

The Identifying Marks ofThe Church of Christ v 1.0

Origination – Seed Organization – Congregational Name – Christian Authority – The Word of God, the Bible Doctrine – The Gospel Worship – The Pattern Given