1 REASONS FOR STUDYING Centreville Church of Christ “The Lovingness Church in the Brotherhood”

2 REASONS FOR STUDYING The Word of Truth Two Basic Reasons: 1.For Personal examination “Study to show thyself approved…” II Timothy 2:15 2. For Religious examination “Examine yourselves whether ye be in the faith.” II Corinthians 13:5

3 REASONS FOR STUDYING The Word of Truth Two Basic Reasons: 1.For Personal examination II Timothy 2:15 2. For Religious examination II Corinthians 13:5 Proverbs 14:12 Avoid misguidance by feelings Avoid the broad way of religion Avoid vain worship Avoid blind guidance Avoid supporting false doctrine II John 1:9-11 Avoid the dangers of a lie Matthew 15:14 II Thessalonians 2:10-12 Matthew 7:13-23 Matthew 15:8-9

4 THE BROAD WAY OF RELIGION Matthew 7:13-23 “ Many there be which go in there at v.13 GATE prophets v.15 WIDE BROAD false “Have we not wonderful works Preached cast out devilsin thy name.” Many will say unto me in that day “lord, lord Vain Worship v. 21Godley Living in Vain v. 22 … and then will I profess unto them I never knew you v. 23

5 TWO PRINCIPLES FOR UNDERSTANDING…. WORD OF TRUTH THE 1.The Principle of Unity A. The New Testament Example of Unity First century Christians were… 1.Commanded to be one. I Corinthians 1:10 2. Walked by the same rule. Philippians 3:16 3. Maintained a complete (seven-fold) system of unity. Ephesians 4:1-6 ONE BODY (Church) ONE SPIRIT (Holy Spirit) ONE HOPE (Eternal Life) ONE LORD (Jesus Christ) ONE FAITH (Doctrine of Christ) ONE BAPTISM (Burial in water) ONE GOD (The Father) 2. The principle of Division “Where There is Division There Is False Teaching” WIDE GATE

6 TWO PRINCIPLES FOR UNDERSTANDING…. WORD OF TRUTH THE 1.The Principle of Unity John 17:21 A. The New Testament Example of Unity ONE CHURCH ONE SPIRIT ONE HOPE ONE LORD ONE FAITH ONE BAPTISM ONE GOD 2. The principle of Division WIDE GATE A.New Testament warnings about the coming of different faiths 1. Paul’s warning to Timothy 1 Tim 4: Peter’s warning to Christians in Asia 3. The parable of Christ concerning bad seed Matt. 13: Peter: 2:1-2

7 TWO PRINCIPLES FOR UNDERSTANDING…. WORD OF TRUTH THE 1.The Principle of Unity John 17:17 A. The New Testament Example of Unity ONE CHURCH ONE SPIRIT ONE HOPE ONE LORD ONE FAITH ONE BAPTISM ONE GOD 2. The principle of Division WIDE GATE B. The seed principles for identifying false teachers “Ye shall know them by their fruit” Matt. 7:15-16 (see next slide)

8 GOD’S LAW OF PROCREATION Every seed must bring forth after its kind (Gen. 1:11) The Sower The ResultThe Seed Principle Farmer(pure) Horticulturalist (mixed) Varieties plum seed peach seed cross-breeding (hybridization) Plums Peaches or cross-pollination Kingdom of Heaven One Church One Spirit One Hope One Lord One Faith One Baptism One God Satanic forces THE WORDPURE SEED Luke 8:11 1 Peter 1:23 Seed mixed with teachings of men Matthew 13:1-7 produces False Teachings The Holy Spirit (teachers) Denominations (Luke 11:17) Division 1 Cor. 1:10

9 TWO PRINCIPLES FOR UNDERSTANDING…. THE WAY OF TRUTH ONE SPIRIT ONE HOPE ONE LORD ONE FAITH ONE BAPTISM ONE GOD WIDE GATE WAY BROAD ONE CHURCH False Way False Teaching

10 REASONS YOU SHOULD CHOOSE TO BE… IN CHRIST THE WAY OF TRUTH

11 SIX REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD BE… IN CHRIST The Church The Truth Doctrine of Christ EPHESIANS 1:3 ALL SPIRITUAL BLESSINGS ETERNAL LIFE SALVATION FORGIVENESS OF SINS A NEW CREATURE 2 Corinthians 5:17 NO CONDEMNATION EPHESIANS 1:7 ROMANS 8:1 I JOHN 5:11-12 II Tim 2:10 (deliverance)

12 WHAT IT MEANS TO BE… IN CHRIST= The Church Eph. 1:22-23 The Truth John 14:6 Doctrine of Christ II John 1:9

13 FIVE STEPS YOU MUST TAKE TO GET… INTO CHRIST The Church The Truth Doctrine of Christ H B B C R 5. Acts 2:38 4. Romans 10:9 3. Luke 13:3 1. Romans 10:17 2. Mark 16:15-16 ear elieve epent onfess aptize