1. “Why are you a member of the church of Christ?”
If you were to be asked:
“Why are you a member of the church of Christ?”
Material taken from tract by Roy Cogdill found
How would you answer?

2. The Basis For Any Religious Affiliation
Conviction
The Basis For Any Religious Affiliation
Only One Acceptable Basis For Conviction
Conviction
“Faith comes by hearing…hearing by the word of God”
(Rom. 10:17)

3. Early disciples died in the Arena – Rather than deny their faith
1 Peter 3:15
“But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear.”
Early disciples died in the Arena – Rather than deny their faith
Can you give Biblical reason for your faith, practice and work?
Can answer “Why?”
Polycarp

4. Why I Am a Member
of the Church of Christ

5. of the Church of Christ Why I Am a Member
It is built upon the foundation of the eternal truth: Jesus is the Son of God
It Recognizes Christ as the only head & only source of authority
It Gives Jesus Christ the preeminence in all things
of the Church of Christ
Why I Am a Member
It is built after the divine pattern in organization
It accepts the gospel of Christ as its only creed
It does not employ any human innovations in worship

6. It refuses all human names & recognizes only divinely given names
of the Church of Christ
Why I Am a Member

7. It refuses all human names & recognizes only divinely given names
Idea today: “Nothing in a name/ Name doesn’t matter”
Phil. 2:9 – Christ has a name above all names
1 Pet. 4:16 – glorify God in the name “Christian”
Acts 4:11-12 – Salvation in no other name
Can we call the church “church of Satan?”

8. It refuses all human names & recognizes only divinely given names
Idea today: “Nothing in a name/ Name doesn’t matter”
Church must wear a scriptural name
“Church of God” (1 Cor. 1:2)
“Church of the Living God (1 Tim. 3:15)
“House of God” (1 Tim. 3:15)
“The Church” (Eph. 5:32)
“Churches of Christ” (Rom. 16:16)

9. It refuses all human names & recognizes only divinely given names
Idea today: “Nothing in a name/ Name doesn’t matter”
Church must wear a scriptural name
Individuals must wear s scriptural name
“Saints” (Phil. 1:1)
“Disciples” (Acts 11:26)
“Christians” (Acts 11:26)
“Brethren” (1 Thess. 5:27)

10. It refuses all human names & recognizes only divinely given names
Idea today: “Nothing in a name/ Name doesn’t matter”
Church must wear a scriptural name
Individuals must wear s scriptural name
Names of human origin are used in religion
“Lutheran” – named after a man
“Baptist” – named after a practice
“United Pentecostal Church (Oneness)” – named after a doctrine
Presbyterian – named after a form of government

11. of the Church of Christ Why I Am a Member
It refuses all human names & recognizes only divinely given names
It makes a consistent plea for Christian unity
of the Church of Christ
Why I Am a Member

12. It makes a consistent plea for Christian unity
Today pleas are made for “unity in diversity”
All agree to disagree
Let’s focus on common ground & ignore difference
Claim to have “unity” while holding to contradictory doctrines, etc.

13. It makes a consistent plea for Christian unity
Today pleas are made for “unity in diversity”
The church of Christ pleads for undenominational Christianity
To be united as God and Christ (John 17:20-21)
Should speak the same thing (1 Cor. 1:10-11)
Divisions & factions are condemned (Gal. 5:19-21)
There is one body (Eph. 4:4)

14. It makes a consistent plea for Christian unity
Today pleas are made for “unity in diversity”
The church of Christ pleads for undenominational Christianity
Denominationalism – holds forth a divided Christ
Idea of denominationalism – God’s people are divided in various sects
As long as hold to human names – divided
As long as hold to human creeds – divided
As long as hold to human organization – divided
Unity is impossible!

15. Such a plea is consistent
It makes a consistent plea for Christian unity
Today pleas are made for “unity in diversity”
The church of Christ pleads for undenominational Christianity
Denominationalism – holds forth a divided Christ
Members of the church of Christ plead for all to give up human plans for Christ
Do not plead for men to give up one human creed for another, etc.
Plea that men give up ALL human creeds, organizations, practice – become NT Christians!
Such a plea is consistent

16. of the Church of Christ Why I Am a Member
It refuses all human names & recognizes only divinely given names
It makes a consistent plea for Christian unity
of the Church of Christ
Why I Am a Member
It has only a spiritual (not a social) mission in the world

17. It has only a spiritual (not a social) mission in the world
Mission of the Lord’s church is spiritual
Work is to preach the Gospel (1 Tim. 3:15)
Gospel – message of redemption (Rom. 1:16-17)
Supports men to preach (2 Cor. 11:8; Phil. 4:15)
Sends men out to preach (Acts 13-14)

18. It has only a spiritual (not a social) mission in the world
Mission of the Lord’s church is spiritual
Other missions pervert the Lord’s plan
Political force – Catholic
Social work – Church owned hospitals, social programs, etc.
Educational – Denominations with schools
Business – Catholics, other churches
Entertainment – Church theaters, productions, etc.

19. of the Church of Christ Why I Am a Member
It refuses all human names & recognizes only divinely given names
It makes a consistent plea for Christian unity
of the Church of Christ
Why I Am a Member
It has only a spiritual (not a social) mission in the world
It has no human requirements for membership

20. It has no human requirements for membership
In the New Testament – Same process by which one was saved – added to the church (Acts 2)
Heard the gospel (vv )
Believed on Christ (v. 36)
Repented of their sins (v. 38)
Baptized for remission of sins (vv. 38, 41)
Added to the church (v. 47)

21. It has no human requirements for membership
In the New Testament – Same process by which one was saved – added to the church (Acts 2)
No such thing in NT as being saved & later doing something to become a member of the church
Voted upon by membership – Baptist
Answer 21 questions – JW
Subscribe to a creed - Methodist

22. of the Church of Christ Why I Am a Member
It refuses all human names & recognizes only divinely given names
It makes a consistent plea for Christian unity
of the Church of Christ
Why I Am a Member
It has only a spiritual (not a social) mission in the world
It has no human requirements for membership
The doctrine that it supports is found in the New Testament

23. The doctrine that it supports is found in the New Testament
Denominational groups teach doctrines that cannot be supported by the Scriptures
Saved by faith alone (Jas. 2:24)
Once saved always saved (Gal. 5:4)
Makes no difference what one believes (2 Thess. 2:10-12)
Jesus only (John 17:20-21)
Limited atonement (Heb. 2:9)
Miracles today (1 Cor. 13:8-10)
Lord’s supper quarterly (Acts 20:7)
Modern day revelation (2 Pet. 1:3)
Baptism not essential (Mark 16:16)

24. The doctrine that it supports is found in the New Testament
Denominational groups teach doctrines that cannot be supported by the Scriptures
Church of Christ supports teaching found in NT
Speak as oracles of God (1 Pet. 4:11)
Preach the word (2 Tim. 4:2)
Urge people to study for selves (Acts 17:11)
Plea for open discussion & debate (Phil. 1:17)

25. Why I Am a Member
of the Church of Christ

26. of the Church of Christ Why I Am a Member
It is built upon the foundation of the eternal truth: Jesus is the Son of God
Morning
It Recognizes Christ as the only head & only source of authority
It Gives Jesus Christ the preeminence in all things
of the Church of Christ
Why I Am a Member
It is built after the divine pattern in organization
It accepts the gospel of Christ as its only creed
It does not employ any human innovations in worship

27. of the Church of Christ Why I Am a Member
Evening
It refuses all human names & recognizes only divinely given names
It makes a consistent plea for Christian unity
of the Church of Christ
Why I Am a Member
It has only a spiritual (not a social) mission in the world
It has no human requirements for membership
The doctrine that it supports is found in the New Testament