1. What Makes the Church of Christ Unique? – Part 15
What Makes the Church of Christ Unique? – Part 1

2. RESPECT + PATIENCE BIBLE
Rules
RESPECT + PATIENCE BIBLE
PERSONAL WORK =

3. QUESTION What’s the difference between the Church of Christ and __________ ?

4. ANSWER We are consciously striving to be a New Testament church and they are not.

5. What is a New Testament Church?
Theological
Historical

6. What is a New Testament Church?
Our approach to theology is different than others in two ways:
We believe that the Bible is completely inspired by God.

7. All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness;
- II Timothy 3:16

8. Other Churches Believe:
R.C. – Pope + tradition have equal authority
Protestants – Bible is partly inspired
Evangelical – Bible is inspired (mostly)
Sects – Equal authority to their leaders

9. Different beliefs about the inspiration and authority of the Bible produce different teachings and practices. (Homosexuality, use of instruments in worship, church organization, etc.)

10. Do not add to His words Or He will reprove you, and you will be proved a liar.
- Proverbs 30:6

11. Now these things, brethren, I have figuratively applied to myself and Apollos for your sakes, so that in us you may learn not to exceed what is written, so that no one of you will become arrogant in behalf of one against the other.
- I Corinthians 4:6

12. 18 I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues which are written in this book; 19 and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his part from the tree of life and from the holy city, which are written in this book.
- Revelation 22:18-19

13. The Churches of Christ believe that the entire Bible is inspired and is the final authority for Christian teaching, morality, worship, church organization and function as well as personal spiritual development.

14. Theological Differences
Complete inspiration of the Bible
Interpretation and application of the Bible

15. Theological Differences
R.C. – Bible + Pope + Tradition
Protestants – Bible + Many Teachers + Conventions/Synods/Committees
Evangelical – Bible + Subjective Application
Sects – Bible + Founders’ Teachings
Church of Christ – Bible + Pattern Theology

16. Retain the standard of sound words which you have heard from me, in the faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.
- II Timothy 1:13

17. Beloved, while I was making every effort to write you about our common salvation, I felt the necessity to write to you appealing that you contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints.
- Jude 3

19. Pattern Theology
The Bible contains all the “patterns” necessary to produce authentic, biblical spiritual life and organization (i.e. church)

20. Pattern Theology
Q: What is the New Testament pattern for the public worship?
A: Sing without musical instruments
- I Corinthians 14:15
- Ephesians 5:19
- Colossians 3:16
- James 5:13

21. KJV = 181,253 Words

22. Churches of Christ are dedicated to being New Testament churches described in the Bible and use pattern theology in order to reach this goal.