“Upon this rock, I will build My church” Matt. 16:18 Thus, this is the Lord’s church Thus, this is the Lord’s church Since Jesus is Divine – it is a Divine institution Since Jesus is Divine – it is a Divine institution

1. Jesus is the Only Head It’s Standard and Discipline 2. OT is Not Her Law 3. NT is Her Only Guide 4. Application & Meaning

1. Origin of the NT Church Origin and Establishment 2. Establishment of the NT Church

1. The Saved Its Nature 2. The Church 3. The Body 4. The Kingdom 5. The House 6. The Temple 7. The Bride

1. The Term “Church” Used in Two Senses Its Organization 2. Universally – No Organization 3. Local Church Organization

Its Name

1.A name is key to identity of any person, place or thing. 2. Name: “ A word by which a person, place, or thing, or any object of thought is designated, called, or known.” 3.What is the name of the New Testament church? 4.Seek to answer these questions: Is a name important?Is a name important? Is one name used to the exclusion of all others?Is one name used to the exclusion of all others?

1. The Importance of a Name Its Name “Names do not matter.” “There is nothing in a name.”

1. The Importance of a Name A.Your Name? 1.Is it important? 2.Does it matter if we call you by someone else’s name? 3.Can we call you Jezebel? Judas? 4.Would it matter if your wife wears the name of another man?

1. The Importance of a Name A.Your Name? B.Can We Call the Church by Any Name? 1.“Church of Croft”? 2.“Church of Satan”?

1. The Importance of a Name A.Your Name? B.Can We Call the Church by Any Name? C.Could We Call One Religious Group by Name of Another? 1.Jew – a Catholic? 2.Catholic – a Buddhist? 3.Presbyterian – a Muslim? 4.Nazarene – a Methodist? 5.Church of God – a Free Will Baptist? 6.Jehovah’s Witness – a Mormon?

1. The Importance of a Name A.Your Name? B.Can We Call the Church by Any Name? C.Could We Call One Religious Group by Name of Another? D.Bride of Christ should wear husband’s name (2 Cor. 11:2) E.Do all (including name) by authority (Col. 3:17) For I am jealous for you with godly jealousy. For I have betrothed you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus

1. The Importance of a Name Its Name 2. Denominational Names

A.Reason & Meaning of Names? 1.Many of the modern names came – Reformation 2.Scope of church – “Catholic” (Universal) 3.Man – “Lutheran” (Martin Luther) 4.Form of government – “Presbyterian” / “Episcopal” 5.Practice – “Baptist” (immersion) 6.Belief / Doctrine – “Pentecostal” (Miraculous Gifts)

2. Denominational Names A.Reason & Meaning of Names? B.Divisive / Sectarian 1.Various names – is the idea that God’s people (church as a whole) is divided into denominations

God’s People (The Saved) Adventist Nazarene Presbyterian Church of God Baptist church of Christ Methodist Catholic Denominationalism / Sectarianism 2. Denominational Names

John 15:1-7 1 "I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. 5 I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. 7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. Argued that Jesus is talking About Denominations 2. Denominational Names

John 15:1-7 1 "I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. 5 I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. 7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. 2. Denominational Names Argued that Jesus is talking About Denominations

2. Denominational Names A.Reason & Meaning of Names? B.Divisive / Sectarian 1.Various names – is the idea that God’s people (church as a whole) is divided into denominations 2.God has a plan for unity (John 17:20-21) 3.Called by different names is divisive (1 Cor. 1:10-ff) I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us Now I plead with you, brethren that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. some are saying "I am of Paul," or "I am of Apollos," or "I am of Cephas," or "I am of Christ." Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you?

1. The Importance of a Name Its Name 2. Denominational Names 3. Scriptural Names - Church

A.Church of God (1 Cor. 1:2) B.Church of Firstborn (Heb. 12:23) C.churches of Christ (Rom. 16:16) D.Body of Christ (Col. 1:24) E.House of God (1 Tim. 3:15) F.The church (Rom. 16:1; Rev. 2:1, 8; 3:14)

1. The Importance of a Name Its Name 2. Denominational Names 3. Scriptural Names - Church 4. Scriptural Names - Individual

A.There is a Difference in the Individual & The Church (1 Tim. 5:16) 1.Body is not one member but many (1 Cor. 12:14) 2.What individual is called – not name of the church (vice versa) 3.Person cannot say, “I am a church of Christ”

4. Scriptural Names - Individual A.There is a Difference in the Individual & The Church (1 Tim. 5:16) B.What Individuals were Called: 1. Christians (Acts 11:26) – focus on relationship to Christ 2. Children of God (Gal. 3:26) – focus on relationship to God 3. Disciples (Acts 11:26) – focus on following teaching 4. Saints (1 Cor. 1:1-2) – focus on separation 5. Brethren (Col. 1:2) – focus on relationship to one another

1. The Importance of a Name Its Name 2. Denominational Names 3. Scriptural Names - Church 4. Scriptural Names - Individual 5. Ashamed of the Name

A.We Should Never be Ashamed of Our Name 1.Not be ashamed of gospel (Rom. 1:16) 2.Not be ashamed of fellow Christians (2 Tim. 1:8) 3.Not be ashamed of name Christian (1 Pet. 4:16) 4.Lord was not ashamed to be call with brethren (Heb. 2:11) 5.God is not ashamed to be called our God (Heb. 11:16) Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner. Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed. For both He who sanctifies and those who are being sanctified are all of one, for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.

5. Ashamed of the Name A.We Should Never be Ashamed of Our Name B.What Would You Think of Someone Ashamed of Your Name? 1.What if children ashamed to wear your name? 2.What if wife ashamed to wear your name?

5. Ashamed of the Name A.We Should Never be Ashamed of Our Name B.What Would You Think of Someone Ashamed of Your Name? C.Some are Ashamed of the Name 1.Some churches – removed the name from sign 2.Some churches – not used name in advertisement 3.Some Christian hesitate to tell where go to church

1. The Importance of a Name Its Name 2. Denominational Names 3. Scriptural Names - Church 4. Scriptural Names - Individual 5. Ashamed of the Name

Salvation Hear the gospel (Rom. 10:17) Believe In Jesus (Jn. 8:24) REPENT of your sins (Lk. 13:3) Confess your faith(Matt. 10:32-33) Baptized Into Christ (Acts 2:38) Faithful until death (Rev. 2:10) REMISSION OF SINS