The Church of Christ Things Concerning Christ (#6)

2 Misunderstanding the Church Contributes to… Devaluing of the churchDevaluing of the church SectarianismSectarianism Optional view of the churchOptional view of the church The church of Christ is essential to God’s eternal purpose of redemption Ephesians 3:10-11 The church of Christ is essential to God’s eternal purpose of redemption Ephesians 3:10-11

What is the Church? ekklesia: “to call out of” … “the called out ones” A N A SSEMBLY -Israel, Acts 7:38 -Gov’t body, Acts 19:39 -Riot, Acts 19:32, 41 A N A SSEMBLY -Israel, Acts 7:38 -Gov’t body, Acts 19:39 -Riot, Acts 19:32, 41 A SSEMBLY OF S AVED “Called out” of darkness into glory by God, by gospel, 1 Pet. 2: Ths. 2:12; 2 Ths. 2:14 The Redeemed Matt. 16:18 A SSEMBLY OF S AVED “Called out” of darkness into glory by God, by gospel, 1 Pet. 2: Ths. 2:12; 2 Ths. 2:14 The Redeemed Matt. 16:18 3

4 “Church” is a Collective Noun Applied geographically, Gal. 1:2Applied geographically, Gal. 1:2 Applied of those who compose it, Rom. 16:4; Col. 4:16Applied of those who compose it, Rom. 16:4; Col. 4:16 Applied possessively, Matt. 16:18; 1 Cor. 15:9; Rom. 16:16Applied possessively, Matt. 16:18; 1 Cor. 15:9; Rom. 16:16

5 CHRIST { { { { Local Church Acts 11:22 Local Church 1 Cor. 1:2 On earth CHURCH (Local) (elders, deacons, saints) Acts 14:23; Phil. 1:1 Churches of Christ Romans 16:16 Baptized into CHURCH (Universal) Heb. 12:23 Registered in heaven

“CHURCH OF CHRIST” Universal Matt.16:18; Heb. 12:23 Eph. 1:22; 3:21; 5:23 All the saved Universal Matt.16:18; Heb. 12:23 Eph. 1:22; 3:21; 5:23 All the saved Local 1 Cor. 1:2; 1 Ths. 1:1 Gal. 1:2; Rom. 16:16 Congregations of saved ones Local 1 Cor. 1:2; 1 Ths. 1:1 Gal. 1:2; Rom. 16:16 Congregations of saved ones 10 SAVED 6

“CHURCH OF CHRIST” Universal All the saved Universal All the saved Local Congregations of saved ones Local Congregations of saved ones 10 SAVED ? Denomination Less than Universal More than Local ? Denomination Less than Universal More than Local 7

8 To Understand “Church” We Must Think “People”, not “Institution” Acts 2:47 Believers, Acts 5:14Believers, Acts 5:14 Disciples, Acts 6:1, 7Disciples, Acts 6:1, 7 Christians, Acts 11:26Christians, Acts 11:26 Those of “the way”, Acts 9:1-2Those of “the way”, Acts 9:1-2 Saints, 1 Corinthians 1:2Saints, 1 Corinthians 1:2

9 ORIGINS: When the Church of Christ Began Built by Jesus on Pentecost, Acts 2Built by Jesus on Pentecost, Acts 2 –Establish a body of called out souls, Matt. 16:18 –Draw all to himself (salvation), John 12:31-33 (Eph. 5:25) –Great commission, Matt. 28:18-20; Acts 1:8 –Gospel preached, souls saved and church began, Acts 2:41 Lord adds souls to His church, Acts 2:47Lord adds souls to His church, Acts 2:47

10 ORIGINS: When the Church of Christ Began Did not originate in America in the 1800sDid not originate in America in the 1800s –“Restoration Movement” –A. Campbell (Disciples) and Stone (Christians) “By the early 1830s the Disciples of Christ had emerged as an independent denomination and, under the capable and energetic leadership of Alexander Campbell, made impressive gains during the decades between 1830 and 1860.” David Edwin Harrell, Jr. “The Sectional Origins of Churches of Christ”

11 ORIGINS: When the Church of Christ Began The seed principle (Gal. 6:7)The seed principle (Gal. 6:7) –Seed: The word of God, Luke 8:11 –Plant gospel…Christians…churches of Christ, Romans 16:16 –Plant error…not Christians…not churches of Christ

12 OBSTACLES Faced by the Church of Christ Threat of Modernism, Judges 21:25Threat of Modernism, Judges 21:25 Danger of Sectarianism, 1 Cor. 1:10Danger of Sectarianism, 1 Cor. 1:10 Encroachment of Worldliness, 1 John 2:15; James 4:4Encroachment of Worldliness, 1 John 2:15; James 4:4

13 We Are God’s House! I write so that you may know how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth. (1 Timothy 3:15)