"The Churches Of Christ
Salute You"
Romans 16.-16
Proposition: The churches of Christ are divine in origin,
apostolic in doctrine, spiritual in worship and godly in
life.
Objective: To show what the "churches of Christ" really
are.
Introduction: Throughout the world religion is found in
every land. Churches abound on every hand. But, in the
days of Paul, the only religion acceptable to God was
Christianity and the only churches of the New Testament
were churches of Christ
We still believe that Christianity Is the only religion of
God and that true churches of Christ exist and can be
recognized among the many human institutions claiming
to be the church Christ established.
1. The Churches Of Christ Of The New Testament
Were Divine In Origin (Matt. 16:18).
1. Jesus Christ is divine, deity, Infallible and sinless,- in
fact, God Himself (Jno. 1:1; Matt 17:5; Heb. 1:3).
2. Therefore, any church He established is divine In
origin (Matt. 16:16-18,- Col. 1:13-17).
3. Jesus is its head and foundation (I Cor. 3:11; 1 Pet.
2:6-7; Col. 1:18; 1:24,- Eph. 1:20-23). It, then, is His
body (Col. 1:18; Eph. 1:23); therefore, It is not a sect,
or a denomination.
4. To be a member of any other institution established
by man for salvation will cause you to be lost (Cf.,
Matt 15:13; Jno. 12:48-50).
11. The Churches Of Christ Of The New Testament
Were Apostolic In Doctrine (Acts 2:42).
1. The early church followed the teachings of the
apostles in all things (Acts 2:42; Gal. 1:6-9; 2 Jno. 9).
2. They did only what the Bible authorized (1 Cor. 4:6).
They did everything the apostles commanded (Rev.
22:18-19), without change.
3. They were called Christians (Acts 11:26; lsa. 62:2),
and only Christians (I Pet. 4:16).
4. They referred to the church only by divine designa-
tions (Rom. 16:16; Acts 8:1; Heb. 12:23). All human
names were forbidden (1 Cor. 1:10-13).
5. They preached the "oneness" of Christianity (Eph.
4:1-6), and condemned false doctrine and teachers
(Rom. 16:17-18).
6. They taught Jesus died for the church (Acts 20:28)
and that only the faithful in the church would be
saved (Eph. 5:23-27). -Therefore, the church is
essential for salvation.
7. They preached the only way to get into Christ was by
baptism for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38; Rom.
6:3-4; Col. 2:12). Baptism was a burial.
8. They preached that "faith alone or faith only" was
useless (Jas. 2:19-24).
Ill. The Churches Of Christ Of The New Testament
Were Spiritual In Worship (Jno. 4:24).
1. They taught only those who worship in spirit and in
truth were acceptable to God (Jno. 4:24).
2. They taught that truth was found only in the word of
God (Jno. 17:17).
3. They worshipped every Sunday (1 Cor. 16:1-2).
4. Their worship included communion each Lord's day
(Acts 20:7).
5. They used only vocal music in worship (Eph. 5:19;
Col. 3:16). No instruments were allowed.
6. They gave as they prospered (I Cor. 16:1-2). Tithing
was not taught.
7. They practiced "pure and undefiled religion" (Jas.
1:27).
8. They carried the gospel to every creature (Col. 1:23).
IV. The Churches Of Christ Of The New Testament
Were Godly In Living (2 Pet. 1:3).
1. They realized their citizenship was in heaven (Phil.
3:20; Heb. 3:1).
2. Therefore, they were pilgrims and sojourners on the
earth and must abstain from fleshly lusts (1 Pet.
2:11-12).
3. They believed their lives must reflect the very nature
of God Himself (Matt. 5:48, 1 Pet. 1:15; 1 Jno. 3:3).
4. Therefore, they manifested God's excellencies
(1 Pet 2:9-10).
3. When any refused they were disciplined accordingly
(1 Cor. 3:9-13; 2 Thess. 3:6; Tit. 3:10-11).
Conclusion: The churches of Christ of the New Testa-
ment turned their world up-side down, in fact, they
turned an up-side world right side up! The same will
happen today anywhere, anytime, when men will begin to
sow the same seed, the word of God, and allow Christ to
direct their faith and lives. If your church is not like the
one we have studied today, you must change before it is
too late or else you will be lost!
|