Christ And The Church Builder “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” (Matthew 16:18).

Christ And The Church Owner “Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood” (Acts 20:28).

Christ And The Church Head and Savior “For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body” (Ephesians 5:23).

Christ And The Church Loved and Sacrificed For Her “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her” (Ephesians 5:25).

Is The Church Important To God? Planned and Built the Church Bought It With His Own Blood Head of the Church Savior of the Church Loves the Church Sacrificed Himself for the Church

Apostasy Foretold 2 Thess. 2:3-4; Acts 20:29-31 The Church Denom. The Church “Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons” (1 Tim. 4:1). Sect

Latter Day Saints (Mormon) Seventh Day Adventists Time Place Founder Church Pentecost Jerusalem Christ Church of Christ 606 A.D. Rome Boniface III Roman Catholic 1520 Germany Martin Luther Lutheran 1534 England Henry the 8th Episcopalian 1536 Switzerland John Calvin Presbyterian 1607 Holland John Smythe Baptist 1739 John Wesley Methodist 1830 United States Joseph Smith Latter Day Saints (Mormon) William Miller Seventh Day Adventists 1866 Mary Baker Eddy Christian Scientist 1872 Charles Russell Jehovah Witnesses

Thousands Saved Before Denominations Ever Existed 3,000 – Acts 2:41 5,000 – Acts 4:4 Multiplying – Acts 6:1 Multitudes in Samaria – Acts 8:6 Ethiopian – Acts 8:26-39 Cornelius & Family – Acts 10 Christians in Antioch – Acts 11:26 Philippians – Acts 16 Corinthians – Acts 18:8 Ephesians – Acts 19 Were these people saved? Were these people Christians? What church were they members of? Were these people “unchurched?” “…And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved” (Acts 2:47).

What Did These Saved People Do? Assembled together in local churches called churches of Christ (Rom. 16:16). Assembled to edify one another (Heb. 10:23-25). Partook of the Lord’s Supper (Acts 20:7). Sang and Prayed (1 Cor. 14:15). Gave on first day of the week (1 Cor. 16:1-2). Continued in the Apostle’s doctrine (Acts 2:42).

Why Make Converts To A Denomination? Contrary to the Will of Christ – John 17:20-23! Contrary to the Command of Christ through His apostles – 1 Cor. 1:10! A work of the flesh – Gal. 5:20-21! No saved person was ever added to a denomination – Acts 2:47!

Be Saved Tonight! “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ." Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Men and brethren, what shall we do?" Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins…Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them” (Acts 2:36-41).