WHAT MAKES A CHURCH A CHURCH OF CHRIST?

WHAT MAKES A CHURCH A WHAT MAKES A CHURCH A CHURCH OF CHRIST?CHURCH OF CHRIST?

Does it make a difference?Does it make a difference?

Can we tell the difference?Can we tell the difference?1 Peter 3:151 Peter 3:15

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House House the Lord the Lord

BuiltBuilt

Church of Church of ChristChrist

““Unless the LORD builds the Unless the LORD builds the house, they labor in vain who house, they labor in vain who build it” build it” (Psa. 127:1)(Psa. 127:1)

“…“…I will build my church…the I will build my church…the gates of Hades shall not prevail gates of Hades shall not prevail against it” against it” (Matt. 16:18)(Matt. 16:18)

“…“…every house is built by every house is built by someone, but He who built all someone, but He who built all things is God” things is God” (Heb. 3:4)(Heb. 3:4)

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Christ and His ChurchChrist and His Church

• Who do men say Jesus is? Who do men say Jesus is? (Matt. 16:13-16) (Matt. 16:13-16) – ““Prophet of God…Good Moral Teacher…”Prophet of God…Good Moral Teacher…”– ““Who do Who do youyou say I, the Son of Man, am?” say I, the Son of Man, am?”

• What do men say His church is? What do men say His church is? (Matt. 16:18)(Matt. 16:18) – ““Cult… Legalists… Water Salvationists… Cult… Legalists… Water Salvationists…

Antis… Extremists…”Antis… Extremists…”– What does the What does the BibleBible say His church is? say His church is?

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• In God’s eternal plan In God’s eternal plan (Eph. 3:10-11)(Eph. 3:10-11)

• God is glorified in the church God is glorified in the church (Eph. 3:21)(Eph. 3:21)– Christ is head; church is bodyChrist is head; church is body (Eph. 1:21-23)(Eph. 1:21-23)– Christ only has one bodyChrist only has one body (Eph. 4:4)(Eph. 4:4)– Christ is its chief-cornerstoneChrist is its chief-cornerstone (Eph. 2:19-20)(Eph. 2:19-20)– Christ is its SaviorChrist is its Savior (Eph. 5:23)(Eph. 5:23)– Christ adds saved to church Christ adds saved to church (Acts 2:47)(Acts 2:47)

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““CHURCH OF CHRIST”CHURCH OF CHRIST”

UniversalUniversalMt. 16:18; Heb. 12:23 Mt. 16:18; Heb. 12:23 Eph. 1:22; 3:21; 5:23Eph. 1:22; 3:21; 5:23

-All the saved--All the saved-

UniversalUniversalMt. 16:18; Heb. 12:23 Mt. 16:18; Heb. 12:23 Eph. 1:22; 3:21; 5:23Eph. 1:22; 3:21; 5:23

-All the saved--All the saved-

LocalLocal1 Cor. 1:2; Gal. 1:21 Cor. 1:2; Gal. 1:2

Romans 16:16Romans 16:16

- Congregations -- Congregations -

LocalLocal1 Cor. 1:2; Gal. 1:21 Cor. 1:2; Gal. 1:2

Romans 16:16Romans 16:16

- Congregations -- Congregations -

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• What makes a church a church of Christ?What makes a church a church of Christ?– We can be united in truth! We can be united in truth! Eph. 4:3-6Eph. 4:3-6– Jesus tells us in His word & His truth Jesus tells us in His word & His truth

settles the matter!settles the matter!• Study to be approved,Study to be approved, 2 Tim. 2:152 Tim. 2:15• Understand,Understand, Eph. 3:3-4; 5:17Eph. 3:3-4; 5:17• Ready to give an answer,Ready to give an answer, 1 Pet. 3:151 Pet. 3:15

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What makes a local church a What makes a local church a church that belongs to Christ?church that belongs to Christ?

•Makes a difference…We can tell the difference!Makes a difference…We can tell the difference!•Not all agree…Not all agree…

““The question arises, however, what if a congregation The question arises, however, what if a congregation takes on a takes on a non-Biblical namenon-Biblical name, such as “New , such as “New Testament Church” or “Fellowship of Christ”? Does it Testament Church” or “Fellowship of Christ”? Does it then cease to be a church of Christ? …then cease to be a church of Christ? …

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

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“… “… These questions relate to what is sometimes These questions relate to what is sometimes called called “the marks of the true church.”“the marks of the true church.” It is It is commonly taught that for a congregation to be a commonly taught that for a congregation to be a church of Christ it must have church of Christ it must have the right name, the right name, worship, organization, teaching, etcworship, organization, teaching, etc. But while all . But while all these things are important, they are these things are important, they are not what makes not what makes a congregation a church of Christa congregation a church of Christ, either individually , either individually or collectively.” or collectively.” (Bruce Terry)(Bruce Terry)

What Makes a Congregation a Church of ChristWhat Makes a Congregation a Church of Christ (1982) (1982)http://www.bible.ovc.edu/terry/articles/whatmake.htmhttp://www.bible.ovc.edu/terry/articles/whatmake.htm

Firm FoundationFirm Foundation, 18May99, 18May99

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What Does What Does NotNot Make a Church Make a Church a Church of Christ? a Church of Christ?

1.1. Past accomplishments,Past accomplishments, Rev. 2:2-3, 5 (Heb. 6:9-12)Rev. 2:2-3, 5 (Heb. 6:9-12)– Continue in diligent Continue in diligent

perseverance, perseverance, Rev. 3:8-11Rev. 3:8-11

2.2. Present reputation, Present reputation, Rev. 3:1Rev. 3:1– Lord knows the truthLord knows the truth

Luke 13:23-27Luke 13:23-27

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What Does What Does NotNot Make a Church Make a Church a Church of Christ? a Church of Christ?

3.3. Just saying it is so,Just saying it is so, Rev. 3:14-19 (Prov. 14:12)Rev. 3:14-19 (Prov. 14:12)

4.4. A sign that says it is so,A sign that says it is so, Rom. 2:28-29 (9:6)Rom. 2:28-29 (9:6)– Not advocating a name changeNot advocating a name change– Name identifies, Name identifies, Rom. 16:16Rom. 16:16– Must be Must be faithfulfaithful to belong to to belong to

Christ, Christ, Rom. 8:8-9 (Gal. 5:4-6)Rom. 8:8-9 (Gal. 5:4-6)

Luke 13:23-27Luke 13:23-27

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What Makes a Church What Makes a Church a Church of Christ?a Church of Christ?

RIGHT HEAD: JESUSRIGHT HEAD: JESUS• Submit to Christ’s authoritySubmit to Christ’s authority Eph. Eph.

5:24; Col. 3:17; Lk. 6:46 (Matt. 28:18)5:24; Col. 3:17; Lk. 6:46 (Matt. 28:18)–Right head (Christ), Right head (Christ), Rev. 1:17-18Rev. 1:17-18–Right heart, Right heart, Col. 3:12-16Col. 3:12-16–Right living, Right living, Col. 3:1-11Col. 3:1-11

Hebrews 3:4Hebrews 3:4

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TEACHING & PRACTICETEACHING & PRACTICE•Sound Doctrine Sound Doctrine (preach (preach && practice) practice)

–Whole counsel of God, Whole counsel of God, Acts 20:27Acts 20:27–No other, No other, 1 Tim.1:3; 4:6; 6:3-5 1 Tim.1:3; 4:6; 6:3-5 –Hold fast this pattern, Hold fast this pattern, 2 Tim. 1:13; 2 Tim. 1:13;

2:14-16; 4:2-42:14-16; 4:2-4–Fellowship Christ, Fellowship Christ, 2 Jno. 9; Rev.2:52 Jno. 9; Rev.2:5


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TEACHING & PRACTICETEACHING & PRACTICE•Plan of Salvation Plan of Salvation (Acts 16:30)(Acts 16:30)

–Hear gospel, Hear gospel, Rom. 10:17Rom. 10:17–Believe gospel, Believe gospel, Mk. 16:15-16Mk. 16:15-16–Confess faith, Confess faith, Rom. 10:9-10Rom. 10:9-10–Repent of sins, Repent of sins, Acts 2:38; 17:30Acts 2:38; 17:30–Baptized, Baptized, Mk. 16:16; Acts 2:38Mk. 16:16; Acts 2:38


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TEACHING & PRACTICETEACHING & PRACTICE•Worship Worship (Jno. 4:24; Acts 2:42)(Jno. 4:24; Acts 2:42)

–Prayer, Prayer, 1 Cor. 14:15-161 Cor. 14:15-16–Singing, Singing, Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16–Lord’s supper, Lord’s supper, 1 Cor. 11:23-261 Cor. 11:23-26–Preaching, Preaching, Acts 20:7Acts 20:7–Giving, Giving, 1 Cor. 16:21 Cor. 16:2


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TEACHING & PRACTICETEACHING & PRACTICE•Organization Organization (Phil. 1:1; 1 Pet. 5:2)(Phil. 1:1; 1 Pet. 5:2)

–IndependentIndependent–AutonomousAutonomous–Sufficient to do its workSufficient to do its work

• No adjunct human organizationsNo adjunct human organizations• No sponsoring churchesNo sponsoring churches


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TEACHING & PRACTICETEACHING & PRACTICE•Work Work (1 Ths. 1:3)(1 Ths. 1:3)

–Care for needy saints, Care for needy saints, 1 Tim. 5:16; 1 Tim. 5:16; Acts 4:32-35Acts 4:32-35

–Evangelism, Evangelism, Phil. 1:5-7; 4:15-16Phil. 1:5-7; 4:15-16–Edification, Edification, Eph. 4:11-12; 1 Cor. Eph. 4:11-12; 1 Cor. 14:2614:26


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TEACHING & PRACTICETEACHING & PRACTICE•Marriage, divorce & remarriageMarriage, divorce & remarriage

–Honorable among all, Honorable among all, Heb. 13:4Heb. 13:4–Do not put asunder, Do not put asunder, Matt. 19:6Matt. 19:6–But I say to you, But I say to you, Matt. 19:9Matt. 19:9–Bound by law for life, Bound by law for life, Rom. 7:2-3Rom. 7:2-3–Only one exception,Only one exception, Matt. 19:9 Matt. 19:9


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TEACHING & PRACTICETEACHING & PRACTICE•Fellowship Fellowship (1 Jno. 1:3-4)(1 Jno. 1:3-4)

–Receive fellow workers for the Receive fellow workers for the truth, truth, 3 Jno. 5-83 Jno. 5-8

–Do not receive those who go Do not receive those who go beyond the doctrine of Christ, beyond the doctrine of Christ, 2 Jno. 10-11 (Eph. 5:11)2 Jno. 10-11 (Eph. 5:11)


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TEACHING & PRACTICETEACHING & PRACTICE•Holy living Holy living (1 Ths. 4:3)(1 Ths. 4:3)

–Cease sin, Cease sin, Rom. 6:2 (Acts 19:18-20)Rom. 6:2 (Acts 19:18-20)–Living sacrifices, Living sacrifices, Rom. 12:1-2Rom. 12:1-2–Bear fruit of the Spirit,Bear fruit of the Spirit, Gal. 5:22-23 Gal. 5:22-23–Holy as God is holy,Holy as God is holy, 1 Pet. 1:15-16 1 Pet. 1:15-16


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The Devil Objects!The Devil Objects!

““It is certainly not the purpose It is certainly not the purpose of this article to condone false of this article to condone false teaching. But to teach that a teaching. But to teach that a church must be doing or church must be doing or teaching everything exactly teaching everything exactly right in order to be a church of right in order to be a church of Christ is itself false teaching.”Christ is itself false teaching.”(Bruce Terry, (Bruce Terry, “What Makes a…Church of Christ”“What Makes a…Church of Christ”))

2 Cor. 11:3-4, 12-152 Cor. 11:3-4, 12-15

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The Devil Objects!The Devil Objects!

““DEMAND IMPOSSIBLE!”DEMAND IMPOSSIBLE!”•100% doctrinal conformity, 100% doctrinal conformity, Jno. 8:32; 17:17; Eph. 3:3-4; 5:17Jno. 8:32; 17:17; Eph. 3:3-4; 5:17

•Always been divisions, Always been divisions, Acts 9:31Acts 9:31•We’ll have to “agree to disagree” We’ll have to “agree to disagree” Jno. 17:20-21; 1 Cor. 1:10; Eph. Jno. 17:20-21; 1 Cor. 1:10; Eph. 4: 4: 1-6; 2 Cor. 6:14-7:11-6; 2 Cor. 6:14-7:1

2 Cor. 11:3-4, 12-152 Cor. 11:3-4, 12-15

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Christ Commands!Christ Commands!

REMAIN FAITHFUL TO REMAIN FAITHFUL TO “THE FAITH”“THE FAITH”

•Some will depart the faith, Some will depart the faith, 1 Tim. 4:11 Tim. 4:1

•Truth, words of faith, the good Truth, words of faith, the good doctrine, doctrine, 1 Tim. 4:3, 61 Tim. 4:3, 6

•Hold fast word of life, Hold fast word of life, Phil. 2:16Phil. 2:16

Jude 3Jude 3

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FAITHFUL TO DO GOD’S WILLFAITHFUL TO DO GOD’S WILL•Christians who do not do the Christians who do not do the Father’s will do not go to heaven, Father’s will do not go to heaven, Matt. 7:21-23Matt. 7:21-23

–We must hold fast, We must hold fast, Heb. 3:4-6Heb. 3:4-6–Unity in truth is possible & Unity in truth is possible & commanded, commanded, 1 Cor. 1:101 Cor. 1:10


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FAITHFUL TO DO GOD’S WILLFAITHFUL TO DO GOD’S WILL•Churches that do not do the will Churches that do not do the will of Christ will not continue in of Christ will not continue in fellowship with Christ, fellowship with Christ, Rev. 2:5 Rev. 2:5

(1:13, 20)(1:13, 20)


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A CHURCH OF CHRISTA CHURCH OF CHRIST•Right Head (Christ)Right Head (Christ)•Right Teaching & PracticeRight Teaching & Practice

–Sound doctrineSound doctrine–True worshipTrue worship–Local organizationLocal organization–Spiritual workSpiritual work–Holy livingHoly living

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Christ is Among Christ is Among the Churchesthe Churches

““He who walks in the midst of He who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands” the seven golden lampstands”

– The Lord knows who are His The Lord knows who are His 2 Tim. 2:192 Tim. 2:19

– Be faithful or Jesus removes Be faithful or Jesus removes the lampstand from its place! the lampstand from its place! Rev. 2:5Rev. 2:5

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WHAT MAKES A CHURCH A CHURCH OF CHRIST?