1. (Standard Manual for Baptist Churches, Edward T. Hiscox, p. 22)
ONE BODY Ephesians 4:4
“It is most likely that in the Apostolic age when there was but ‘one Lord, one faith, and one baptism,’ and no differing denominations existed, the baptism of a convert by that very act constituted him a member of the church… Now it is different”
(Standard Manual for Baptist Churches, Edward T. Hiscox, p. 22)

2. Is It Possible To Be Just A Christian?

3. Is it possible to be a Christian without being a member of any man made religious group?
“Repent and be baptized for the remission of sins” Acts 2:38
3,000 believed, were baptized, added by the Lord to the church- Acts 2:47

4. Is it possible to be a Christian without being a member of any man made religious group?
Disciples in Antioch called Christians – Acts 11:26
Just “Christians”
Suffer as a Christian and proudly wear the name – 1 Peter 4:16

5. Is it possible to be a Christian without being a member of any man made religious group?
In the First Century a generation of Christians served God, spread the gospel over the Roman Empire and pleased God without being a member of any denomination– Colossians 1:23

6. Is it possible to be a Christian without being a member of any man made religious group?
Should I be more than a Christian?
a Catholic-Christian?
a Protestant - Christian?
a Baptist or Methodist- Christian?

7. Follow Jesus & Obey His Teachings
Matthew 7:21 “does the will of My Father in heaven”
Many professed believers in last day who He never knew – Matthew 7:22,23 “Lord, Lord have we not prophesied in Your name… ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you who practice lawlessness!”

8. Early Church Faced People Who Said One Needed To Be A Christian & Something Else
Acts 15:5 – A Christian must observe the Law of Moses
Colossians 2:4 – “lest anyone deceive you with persuasive words”
Colossians 2:8 – Philosophy, man-made traditions
Colossians 2:18 - angel worship
Colossians 2: austerity

9. DENOMINATIONS: TOO SMALL TOO BIG
“Church” used two different ways in the Bible:
God’s people Everywhere on the planet – Matthew 16:18; Ephesians 1:22,23
Local Congregation – 1 Corinthians 1:2; Acts 14:23

10. Doctrinal Unity Expected
1 Corinthians 1:10 “speak the same thing…perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgement.”
Based on godly attitudes – Ephesians 4:1-3
Correct doctrine – Ephesians 4:4-6

11. Terms of agreement include:
Church discipline – 1 Corinthians 5
Correct view of right & wrong – 1 Corinthians 6:9-11
Marriage, divorce & remarriage – 1 Corinthians 7
Meat sacrificed to idols – 1 Corinthians 9,10
Lord’s Supper – 1 Corinthians 11:20-34
Purpose, proper use & duration of spiritual gifts- 1 Corinthians 12-14
Correct teaching of the resurrection- 1 Corinthians 15

12. Doctrinal Unity Is Commanded
2 John 9 “whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God”
Acts 15:25 “It seemed good to us, having become of one mind”

13. Citing Human Failure Not The Same As Citing Scripture
Gospel the Power of God unto Salvation – Romans 1:16
God has not failed – some do not love the truth – 2 Peter 3:16

14. THE PATH TO UNITY
John 17:20,21 “that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You”
Revealed by the Holy Spirit through the Apostles – John 16:13

15. View Of Differing Groups
Judaizing Teachers – Acts 15:1
Deny the Resurrection – 1 Corinthians 15:12
Resurrection Already Happened – 2 Timothy 2:17,18
Gnostics – 1 John 4:3
Nicolaitans – Revelation 2:15

16. Are Partial Churches Acceptable?
“They teach some truth.”
2 Corinthians 12:20,21 “many who have sinned before and have not repented”
Galatians 5:4 “you have fallen from grace”
Revelation 2:4,14,20 “a few things against you”

17. The Path Is Always Open
Simply a Christian, worship with a local congregation, follow God, and not be part of any denominational organization
Seed that produced Christians and the church that Jesus established (Luke 8:11) still exists (1 Peter 1:23-25).
Still baptized into Christ and Only wear the name CHRISTIAN