1. “He’s different” 2 Co.11:4 Lk.8:11, one seed, one harvest Mt.13:24-28, different seeds, different harvests 1 Sm.8:5

2. 1. Lord’s Church Is Not Judaism

3. Mt.16:18 Father revealed one fact (17); Jesus reveals another First mention of “church” It is His “church” “Church” was not yet built He is the foundation

4. Acts 2:41-42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ doctrine (teaching) (ESV) They became something new: not Pharisees, Sadducees... (Ac.3-5, 7) OT: Animals Music NT: Christ Singing

5. 1. Lord’s Church Is Not Judaism 2. Lord’s Church Is Not A Cult

6. Acts 8:4-13 Samaritans were attached to a charis- matic leader: a characteristic of cults Gospel changed their allegiance (12) Characteristics of cults: Mt.23:8 Devoted to leader Control (mind / time) Double standards Emphasize money

7. 1. Lord’s Church Is Not Judaism 2. Lord’s Church Is Not Cults 3. Lord’s Church Is Not Worldliness

8. Acts 18, Corinth Prosperous Religious (8:5). Influenced: GovernmentCivic festivals Trade guildsSocial clubs Daily life

9. In Corinth… Visiting orators... rhetorical displays  1 Co.15 Immorality was legendary  Paul established a church here? 1 Co.5 1 Co.6:9-11 (Jn.17:16)

10. 1. Lord’s Church Is Not Judaism 2. Lord’s Church Is Not A Cult 3. Lord’s Church Is Not Worldliness 4. Lord’s Church Is Not Catholicism

11. Roman Catholics Deny sufficiency of Bible (2 T.3:16-17): “One must keep the commandments of God and the church” (Catechism) Claim Peter was universal Bishop, Primate of the Apostolical College, Supreme and Infallible Head of the Church. Ga.2:11-14

12. 1. Lord’s Church Is Not Judaism 2. Lord’s Church Is Not A Cult 3. Lord’s Church Is Not Worldliness 4. Lord’s Church Is Not Catholicism 5. Lord’s Church Is Not A Denomination

13. 1 Co.1:10-17 (Ep.1:22) 1. The precepts 1. The precepts (1 Co.1:10) Unity of speech, 1 Co.1:12 Unity of organization, 1 Co.1:2 Unity of thought, Mt.4:21 Unity of Christ, Jn.17:20-22

14. Lord’s unity or man’s wisdom? “Every opinion counts” “Church of your choice” “We can’t understand the Bible alike” “Unity in diversity” Say same thing No divisions Same mind Jn.17:20-22

15. Summary, 1 Co.1:10 What makes us one body? 1 Co.4:6, our guide What are we? One body 1 Co.10:17; 12:12-13

16. 2. The problem 2. The problem (11) Def.: engagement in rivalry, esp. w. ref. to positions taken in a matter, strife, discord, contention (BDAG, 392) “I am of Paul…” (12) Party divisions: always sinful Baptist-Chr. Methodist-Chr. Lutheran-Chr.

17. 3. The principle 1. The precepts 2. The problem 3. The principle (13) Is Christ divided?  Cut His body into pieces, give them to human leaders?  Corinth  Corinth: philosophical arrogance; divided into sects; exalted leaders  Church  Church: same approach??

18. Was Paul crucified for you?  He opposes Paulites as much as Peterites  He is not qualified to die for them

19. Were you baptized into name of Paul?  His followers are as unqualified as he is  Ga.3:27

20. 4. The prevention 1. The precepts 2. The problem 3. The principle 4. The prevention (14-17) By what authority did he baptize (14,16)? Omission (Jn.6:27; 12:44). Jn.4:2 Mt.28:19, were sent to baptize… Today I did not come to baptize… Avoided pride (“I was baptized by Paul”)

21. A charge to elders, Ac.20:28-32 Wolves are coming:  Be narrow! (not broad-minded)  Be exclusive! (not inclusive)