The Church of Christ IS NOT... Preached at West Side on May 22, 2011 AM Print Slides: 1,15,19 Prepared from points made in a sermon by Joe Price (Spiritual Sword, May 1, 2011) A Building!

The Church of Christ IS NOT... Catholic, Orthodox or Protestant (Matthew 16:18)

Matthew 16:18 And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. Christ’s church predates the Catholic church, the Orthodox church (the two split 6 centuries after the establishment of Christ’s church); and Protestantism (the movement began in the 1500’s).

The Church of Christ IS NOT... Catholic, Orthodox or Protestant (Matthew 16:18) A denomination of churches (1 Corinth-ians 1:10-13)

1 Corinthians 1:10-13 Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. 11 For it has been declared to me concerning you, my brethren, by those of Chloe's household, that there are contentions among you. 12 Now I say this, that each of you says, “I am of Paul,” or “I am of Apollos,” or “I am of Cephas,” or “I am of Christ.” 13 Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?

The Church of Christ IS NOT... Catholic, Orthodox or Protestant (Matthew 16:18) A denomination of churches (1 Corinth-ians 1:10-13) Administered by a worldwide organ-ization (Acts 14:23)

Acts 14:23 So when they had appointed elders in every church, and prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed.

The Church of Christ IS NOT... Catholic, Orthodox or Protestant (Matthew 16:18) A denomination of churches (1 Corinth-ians 1:10-13) Administered by a worldwide organ-ization (Acts 14:23) A social organ-ization (1 Corinth-ians 11:22,34)

1 Corinthians 11:24, 33 (22), What! Do you not have houses to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God and shame those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I praise you in this? I do not praise you. (34), But if anyone is hungry, let him eat at home, lest you come together for judgment. And the rest I will set in order when I come.

The Church of Christ IS NOT... Catholic, Orthodox or Protestant (Matthew 16:18) A denomination of churches (1 Corinth-ians 1:10-13) Administered by a worldwide organ-ization (Acts 14:23) A social organ-ization (1 Corinth-ians 11:22,34) A general bene-volence society (Acts 4:32-35; 11:27-30)

Acts 4:32-35 Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul; neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common. 33 And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all. 34 Nor was there anyone among them who lacked; for all who were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold, 35 and laid them at the apostles' feet; and they distributed to each as anyone had need.

Acts 11:27-30 And in these days prophets came from Jerusalem to Antioch. 28 Then one of them, named Agabus, stood up and showed by the Spirit that there was going to be a great famine throughout all the world, which also happened in the days of Claudius Caesar. 29 Then the disciples, each according to his ability, determined to send relief to the brethren dwelling in Judea. 30 This they also did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.

The Church of Christ IS NOT... Catholic, Orthodox or Protestant (Matthew 16:18) A denomination of churches (1 Corinth-ians 1:10-13) Administered by a worldwide organ-ization (Acts 14:23) A social organ-ization (1 Corinth-ians 11:22,34) A general bene-volence society (Acts 4:32-35; 11:27-30) A political action committee (Matthew 22:17-21)

Matthew 22:17-21 “Tell us, therefore, what do You think? Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?” 18 But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, “Why do you test Me, you hypocrites? 19 Show Me the tax money.” So they brought Him a denarius. 20 And He said to them, “Whose image and inscription is this?” 21 They said to Him, “Caesar's.” And He said to them, “Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's.”

The Church of Christ IS NOT... Catholic, Orthodox or Protestant (Matthew 16:18) A denomination of churches (1 Corinth-ians 1:10-13) Administered by a worldwide organ-ization (Acts 14:23) A social organ-ization (1 Corinth-ians 11:22,34) A general bene-volence society (Acts 4:32-35; 11:27-30) A political action committee (Matthew 22:17-21) Controlled by the creeds of men (Colossians 2:20-23; 3:17; Acts 5:29)

Colossians 2:20-23 Therefore, if you died with Christ from the basic principles of the world, why, as though living in the world, do you subject yourselves to regulations – 21 “Do not touch, do not taste, do not handle,” 22 which all concern things which perish with the using – according to the commandments and doctrines of men? 23 These things indeed have an appearance of wisdom in self-imposed religion, false humility, and neglect of the body, but are of no value against the indulgence of the flesh.

Colossians 3:17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

Acts 5:29 But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: “We ought to obey God rather than men.”

Conclusion What is the West Side church of Christ? Not the building! West Side is a congregation of Christians only, unaffiliated with any denomination, and governed only by the Word of God. Dedicated solely to the furtherance of the gospel of our Lord, and the salvation of souls. At least, that is what the West Side church of Christ should be! Let us examine ourselves... Preached at West Side on May 22, 2011 AM Print Slides: 1,15,19 Prepared from points made in a sermon by Joe Price (Spiritual Sword, May 1, 2011)