Please grant an introduction to the church of Christ:
We come to you only in the name of Christ
- We believe the Bible is the inspired Word of God (2 Timothy 3:16-I7).
- The Bible does not merely contain our teaching-- it ALONE is our teaching.
- We pray for the unity of believers in Christ, for so did He (John 17:20-21).
- Paul urged Christians to be "of the same mind," and set forth the only basis for unity in Ephesians 4:1-6.
The church was:
- Built and paid for by Jesus Christ. Matt. 16:13-18; Acts 20:28.
- Built on Christ as the only foundation. 1 Cor. 3:11.
- Not built upon Paul, Apollos, Cephas, or any other man. 1 Cor. 1:12-13
- Fully established on the first Pentecost after Christ arose from the dead. Luke 24:49; Acts 1:8; Mk. 9:1; Acts 2nd chapter.
In the New Testament, the church is called:
- The temple of God. 1 Cor. 3:16.
- The bride of Christ. Eph. 5:21-32.
- The body of Christ. Col. 1:24; Eph. 1:22-23.
- The kingdom of God’s Son. Col. 1:13.
- The house of God. 1 Tim. 3:15.
- The church. Eph. 3:10.
- The church of God. 1 Cor. 1:2.
- The church of the firstborn. Heb. 12:23.
- The church of the Lord. Acts 20:28.
- The churches of Christ. Rom. 16:16.
Members of the church are called:
- Members. 1 Cor. 12:27
- Disciples. Acts 6:1
- Believers. Acts 5:14; 2 Cor. 6:15
- Saints. Acts 9:13; Rom. 1:7; Phil. 1:1
- Priests. 1 Peter 2:9; Rev. 1:6
- Children. 1 John. 3:1-2
- Christians. Acts 11:26, 26:28-29; 1 Peter 4:16
The permanent classes of servants in the church are:
- Elders, who are bishops. overseers or pastors. Their duty is to oversee and feed the flock. Acts 20:28; 1 Tim. 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9; 1 Peter 5:1-4.
- Deacons to serve the church. Acts 6:1-16; 1 Tim. 3:8-13.
- Evangelists to teach and preach God’s word. For their work and qualifications, see Eph. 4:11; books of 1st and 2nd Tim. and Titus.
Man did not:
- Purpose the church. Eph. 3:10-11.
- Purchase the church. Acts 20:28.
- Build the church. Matt. 16:18.
- Name its people. Acts 11:26; Isa. 62:2.
- Add to the church. Acts 2:47.
- Give the church its doctrine. 2 John. 9-10; Gal. 1-11.
The church and body of Christ are:
- The same. Eph. 1:22-23; Col. 1:18; 1:24.
Christ Himself:
- Loved the church. Eph. 5:25.
- Bled for the church. Acts 20:28.
- Established the church. Matt. 16:18.
- Called the church His. Matt. 16:18.
- Added people to the church. Acts 2:47.
- Is the head of the church. Eph. 5:28; 4:4; 1:22-23.
In the church are:
- Redemption. Eph. 1:7.
- Forgiveness of sins. Col. 1:13-14.
- Sanctification. Eph. 5:25.
- All spiritual blessings. Eph. 1:3.
In order to get into the church you must:
- Believe in Christ. John. 8:24; Acts 16:31; Heb. 11:6
- Repent of your sins. Luke 13:3; Acts 2:38, 3:19, 17:30
- Confess your faith in Christ. Matt. 10:32-33; Rom. 10:10; Acts 8:37-38
- Be baptized. Matt. 28:19; Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38, 10:48, 22:16; 1 Pet 3:21; Gal. 3:27
In new testament times there was:
- One family of God. Eph. 3:15.
- One kingdom of Christ. Col. 1:13-14.
- One body of Christ. Eph. 1:22-23; 4:4.
- One bride of Christ. Rom. 7:1-7; Eph. 5:22-23
- One church of Christ. Matt. 16:18; Eph. 1:22-23; 4:4.
Baptism requires:
- Water. Acts 10:47.
- Much water. Jno. 3:23.
- Going to the water. Acts 8:36; Matt. 3:5-6.
- Going into the water. Acts 8:38.
- A burial. Rom. 6:3-5; Col. 2:12.
- A planting. Rom. 6:5.
- A washing. Acts 22:16.
- A birth. Jno. 3:5.
- A raising out of the water. Col. 2:12.
- A coming out of the water. Acts 8:39.
In baptism:
- Sins are washed away. Acts 22:16.
- You are saved from sins. 1 Peter 3:21; Mk. 16:16.
- You have remission of sins. Acts 2:38.
- You get into Christ. Gal. 3:27.
- You get into the church. Acts 2:37-47
- You put on Christ. Gal. 3:27.
- You obey Christ. Acts 10:48; II Thess. 1:7-9.
- You walk in newness of life. Rom. 6:3-5.
The faithful church:
- Must worship in both spirit and truth. John. 4:23-24
- Must meet upon the first day of the week. Acts 20:7; Heb. 10:25.
- Must sing (not play). Eph. 5:19; Col. 3-18.
- Must pray. Acts 2:42; 1 Tim. 2:1-2
- Must edify one another. 1 Cor. 14:15-27.
- Must take the Lord's Supper on the first day of the week. Acts 20:7; Heb. 10:25; 1 Cor. 11:20-32.
- Must give of their means. 1 Cor. 16:1-2; 2 Cor. 9:7.
The work of the work of the church is:
- Preaching the gospel. Mk. 16:15; Phil. 4:14-18
- Edifying itself. Eph. 4:11-16
- Providing for its poor. Acts 4:34-35, 6:1-7; 1 Tim 5:16
The same church:
- Is in your community.
- Is not a denomination in any sense.
- Is faithful to God's word.
- Is ONE in fact and teaching.
- Gains members by obedience to the gospel.
- Has the same freedom from human powers.
- Has the same name for its members.
- Has the same name for the church.
You can know you are a member:
- By obeying as described.
- By following examples in the book of Acts.
