Secular View of the Church Do some Good, But Not Essential Do some Good, But Not Essential Join One That Fits Your Lifestyle Join One That Fits Your Lifestyle Day Care, Secular School, Recreation Day Care, Secular School, Recreation Hospitals, Homes for Aged & Unwed Mothers Hospitals, Homes for Aged & Unwed Mothers Xmas & Easter Programs, Youth Activities Xmas & Easter Programs, Youth Activities Marriage Counseling, Divorce Recovery Marriage Counseling, Divorce Recovery Feed the Homeless, Hurricane Relief Feed the Homeless, Hurricane Relief

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

Denominational & Catholic View of Christ as Head Christ PopeChrist DenominationalCatholic Many Bodies One HeadOne Body – Two Heads

Christ and the Church Loved & Sacrificed for the Church Loved & Sacrificed for the Church “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! Planned and built the church! Bought it with His own blood! Bought it with His own blood! Head of the church, His body! Head of the church, His body! Savior of the church! Savior of the church! Loves the church! Loves the church! Sacrificed Himself for the church! Sacrificed Himself for the church! Could We Call the Church Nice, But Not Essential?

The Church Began in the 1st Century – Acts 2:47; 8:1 Began in the 1st Century – Acts 2:47; 8:1 Only One in the 1st Century – Eph. 4:4 Only One in the 1st Century – Eph. 4:4 Existed Ever Since 1st Century – Dan. 2:44 Existed Ever Since 1st Century – Dan. 2:44 Baptized Into Only 1 Body – 1 Cor. 12:13 Baptized Into Only 1 Body – 1 Cor. 12:13 Translated Into Only 1 Body – Col. 1:13 Translated Into Only 1 Body – Col. 1:13 All Christians in 1 st Century were taught the same doctrine – 1 Cor. 4:17; 16:1 All Christians in 1 st Century were taught the same doctrine – 1 Cor. 4:17; 16:1

Apostasy Foretold 2 Thess. 2:3-4; Acts 20: Thess. 2:3-4; Acts 20:29-31 The Church Catholic Church Denom. Churches Sects “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).

ONE CHURCH—ONE HEAD TimePlaceFounderChurch PentecostJerusalemChristChurch of Christ 606 A.D. Rome, Italy Boniface III Roman Catholic 1520Germany Martin Luther Lutheran 1534England King Henry VIII Church of England 1536Switzerland John Calvin Presbyterian 1607Holland John Smythe Baptist 1739England John Wesley Methodist 1830 United States Joseph Smith Latter Day Saints 1830 United States William Miller 7th Day Adventists 1866 United States Mary Baker Eddy Christian Scientist 1872 United States Charles Russell Jehovah Witnesses

Thousands Saved Before Denominations Ever Existed 3,000 on Pentecost – Acts 2:41 3,000 on Pentecost – Acts 2:41 5,000 – Acts 4:4 5,000 – Acts 4:4 Multiplying – Acts 6:1 Multiplying – Acts 6:1 Multitudes in Samaria – Acts 8:6 Multitudes in Samaria – Acts 8:6 Ethiopian – Acts 8:26-39 Ethiopian – Acts 8:26-39 Cornelius & Family – Acts 10 Cornelius & Family – Acts 10 Christians in Antioch – Acts 11:26 Christians in Antioch – Acts 11:26 Philippians – Acts 16 Philippians – Acts 16 Corinthians – Acts 18:8 Corinthians – Acts 18:8 Ephesians – Acts 19 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 People Do? Assembled together in local churches referred to as “churches of Christ” (Rom. 16:16). Assembled together in local churches referred to as “churches of Christ” (Rom. 16:16). Assembled to edify one another & worship God (Heb. 10:23-25). Assembled to edify one another & worship God (Heb. 10:23-25). Partook of Lord’s Supper on 1 st Day of Week (Acts 20:7). Partook of Lord’s Supper on 1 st Day of Week (Acts 20:7). Sang & Prayed (1 Cor. 14:15). Sang & Prayed (1 Cor. 14:15). Gave on 1 st Day of Week (1 Cor. 16:1-2). Gave on 1 st Day of Week (1 Cor. 16:1-2). Continued in Apostles’ Doctrine (Acts 2:42). Continued in Apostles’ Doctrine (Acts 2:42). Can We Do This Today?

Why Belong To A Denomination? People Saved & Worshipped Before Any Denomination Ever Existed! Contrary to the Will of Christ – Jn. 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!

Did God Plant Denominational Churches? “Every plant which my heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted. Let them alone. They are blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind leads the blind, both will fall into a ditch.” (Matt. 15:13-14). “Every plant which my heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted. Let them alone. They are blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind leads the blind, both will fall into a ditch.” (Matt. 15:13-14).

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 3,000 souls were added to them.” (Acts 2:36- 41).