1. “Those in the Church of Christ think they are the only ones going to heaven.”
Form of a question
Form of a statement
Form of a joke
However long you have been a member of the Lord’s church sooner or later you will hear someone make this statement: “Those in the CofC think they are the only ones going to heaven.” Sometime it is formed as a QUESTION; sometimes as a STATEMENT of our belief; others make a JOKE about us…

2. Will Only Those in the Church of Christ Go to Heaven?
So let us ask the question and see if we can give a scriptural answer to it…

3. The Question… Understanding the Question Understanding the Answer
Understanding what the Answer Demands
We want to examine this question in three ways. First of all, we need to understand the question. Then we need to understand the answer. Last, understand what the answer Demands from us.

4. Understanding the Question
Why it is asked:
Denominational view
Let us begin by seeking an answer to a more vital question—why is such a question asked or concerns raised?

5. Denominationalism God’s People (The Saved) Baptist Mormons Adventist
Methodist
Nazarene
Here is the way that the world of denominationalism see the realm of God’s people—the saved. Do you see each different organization comes under one rule—God. Yet, this view is inconsistent with the Bible view.
Church of God
Catholic
Church of Christ

6. 1 MANY Denominationalism says: Ephesians 4:4-6 Not Essential
Ephesians 4:4-6—Discuss how the concepts of these passages are contrary to denominationalism. (Discuss John 15:1-7)

7. Understanding the Question
Why it is asked:
Denominational view
Prejudice
Ignorance
What it does:
Puts you in a dilemma
Next, we need to understand the question. Why it is asked: Denominational view of the church—by that understanding no one church is better than another. Prejudice—since most people don’t know anything about the church of Christ they accept what others have told them. Ignorance—just don’t know the answer to the question themselves. Then places us in a dilemma…(next chart)

8. The Dilemma If Say “No” Hard to harmonize with what you teach
Not the truth!
If Say “Yes”
Person is “turned off” to further teaching
“Confirms” their Prejudice
It seems no matter how we answer they have us in a BOX! If we say NO—how do we harmonize with the teaching of the truth? (Matt. 16:18; Acts 20:28; Eph. 4:4-6) If we say YES—people are “turned off” for us being narrow minded and haughty. Just confirms the “prejudice” that they held all along!

9. Understanding the Question
What does it do:
Puts you in a dilemma
Charges us with narrow-mindedness
Creates prejudice
How can we stop these things from happening by our answer? First of all we hope we can sit down and discuss with them first the need for AUTHORITY for our answer. Then we must convince them to allow the Bible to answer the question and not us. Try to not make it a personal thing—US against THEM!

10. Understanding the Answer
Body=Church
Church Defined
Acts 2:47
Ephesians 2:16
Ephesians 5:23
Acts 11:20ff
Terms of entrance the same!
We need to understand the answer. The church is a body of people who have been saved from their past sins. Some folks don’t understand what is under discussion when the subject matter is the LORD’S CHURCH. All churches are not the same!
People who are saved

11. Acts 11 Christians Disciples Church Heard Believed Received “preaching
Turned to
The Lord
Received
The
Grace of God
Heard
“preaching
the
Lord Jesus”
Discuss Acts 11 (Conversion of Household of Cornelius—first Gentiles) same in same manner—Acts 13:46-48
Christians
Disciples
Church

12. II. The Bibles Says There Is Just One
“There is one body”
(Ephesians 4:4)
Body = church
(Ephesians 1:22-23)
Thus:
ONE CHURCH
Promise
Matthew 16:18
Died
for only one
Acts 20:28
In Ephesians 4, where the first six verses give the platforms for unity, Paul wrote that there is just ONE BODY. What is the body? IN Ephesians 1:22,23 Paul answers that question—THE BODY=THE CHURCH. If we can understand there is ONLY ONE GOD, ONE LORD, ONE SPIRT, why can’t we accept there is one BODY?
II. The Bibles Says There Is Just One

13. Understanding the Answer
Denominationalism is wrong
Not found in the Bible—1 Peter 4:11
Contrary to unity pleas—John 17:20,21; Corinthians 1:10
Contrary to “one body”—Ephesians 4:4
Contrary to the concept it DOES make a difference what one believes— Colossians 3:17
Bottom line—the concept of denominationalism is just plain wrong! Here are some reasons—explain each reason!

14. Understanding the Answer
God’s way is narrow
Matthew 7:13,14
God’s wisdom is greater than man’s wisdom
Proverbs 14:12
Isaiah 55:8-11
God has not changed His mind!
Hebrews 6:18
Understanding the answer means—God’s way is NARROW—Matt. 7:13,14. God’s wisdom is greater than man’s—Prov. 14:12; Isa. 55:8-11; 1 Cor. 4:4,5. God has not changed His mind concerning His church—Heb. 6:18.

15. Understanding What the Answer Demands
That one be in the Lord’s Church to be Saved! No
Middle
Ground!
Do we understand what the answer to the question demands of us? One must be a member of the LORD”S CHURCH to be saved—1 Cor. 15: One MUST renounce and Leave every DENOMANATION! Matthew 15:13 There is NO MIDDLE GROUND!
That one must leave and renounce denominationalism!