“If you have faith as a mustard seed, you shall say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it shall move; and nothing shall be impossible to you.”

Sharing Your Faith

Last Conversation Mr. Mike Is Studying With Randal About the New Testament Church. We Discussed the Two Churches of the N.T.

Problem In the Book Michael Shank Makes No Distinction Between the Universal Church and the Local Church. Michael Shank Makes No Distinction Between the Universal Church and the Local Church. “You Have to Be Part of the Church to be Saved.” “You Have to Be Part of the Church to be Saved.” Universal Church = You Are Part of It Because You are Saved!!! Universal Church = You Are Part of It Because You are Saved!!! Local Church = You Should Be Part of It Because You are Saved. Local Church = You Should Be Part of It Because You are Saved.

The Conversation Continues The Church of the N.T. Is Not a Denomination. The Church of the N.T. Is Not a Denomination. Denominations Are All Around Us, But They Were Not Part of God’s Plan For The Church. Denominations Are All Around Us, But They Were Not Part of God’s Plan For The Church. Denominational Thinking Is So Prevalent That It Is Hard Not to Talk About the Church as a Denomination. Denominational Thinking Is So Prevalent That It Is Hard Not to Talk About the Church as a Denomination.

What Is A Denomination?  Webster – “a particular religious sect or party, with a specific name, organization, etc.” (377).  Sect – “a group that has broken off from a larger group” (1287).  Together – a denomination is any group that has separated itself from another group and has established clear differences, such as name, organization, and beliefs.

D 2

“I’ve Been Church of Christ All of My Life.” Acts 11:26 “And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. And for an entire year they met with the church and taught considerable numbers; and the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.”

Acts 11:26 First Called____________ Christians ?

“When I Go to Church the Sign Outside Is Going to Read ‘Church of Christ’ or I’m Not Going.” Rom 16:16 “Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ greet you.”

“When I Go to Church the Sign Outside Is Going to Read ‘Church of Christ” or I’m Not Going.” The Phrase “Church of Christ” Is Not a Name - It Is a Description. It Is Not the Church Sign That Makes a Church Biblical, but Their Beliefs and Practices Do…or Don’t.

Other Biblical Descriptions of the Church The “Body” of Christ – Eph 4:12, 1:22-23 The “Bride” of Christ – Rev. 19:7 The Church of God – Acts 20:28; 1 Cor. 1:2 The Church – Acts 5:11; Phil 4:15

“I’m Going to Write to the Church’s Headquarters.” Where Would You Send Such a Letter? Eph 1:22 “And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church.”

Matt 28:18 “And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, ‘All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.’”

The Churches of Jesus Christ Are Made Up of Baptized Believers. They Have an Organization, But It Stops at the Local Level (No Hierarchy). They Have No Creed, But Confess Jesus Christ (Rom. 10:9). They Have No Doctrine Book, But the Bible (1 Pet. 4:11)