WHAT THE CHURCH OF CHRIST IS NOT
                          MATTHEW 16:18

INTRODUCTION:
     A.  The confusion we witness in the religious world is not in accord with God's will.
           (See I Cor. 14:33; Jn. 17:20,21; I Cor. 1:10-13; Mt. 15:13.)
     B.  These conditions have contributed greatly to the misunderstanding prevalent about
           the church.
     C.  What are some wrong views of the church?

I.  THE CHURCH EXISTED DURING THE PERSONAL MINISTRY OF CHRIST.
     A.  It would have had to have existed before the foundation was tried.  I Cor. 3:11; Jsa.
           28:15-17; I Pet. 2:6,7.
     B.  Under the limited commission - Mt. 10:2-7; Mt. 28:18-20; Mk. 16:15-16.
     C.  Before the cleansing blood was presented to God - Mt. 26:28; Heb. 9:20-28.
     D.  Under the law of Moses - Heb. 9:15-17.
     E.  Without a head - Eph. 1:19-23.
     F.  Before its members had a mediator - Heb. 7:28; 8:4; 4:14-16; I Jn. 2:1,2.
     G.  Before its members could have their sins forgiven - Heb. 9:22.
     H.  Before its members could preach Christ - Mt. 16:20.
     I.    Before its members could preach the Gospel - I Cor. 15:1-4.
     J.    It existed before Christ was crowned King - Dan. 7:13,14; Acts 2:36.

II.  THE CHURCH IS AN EMERGENCY MEASURE BECAUSE OF UNEXPECTED 
      EVENTS.
     A.  The PREMILLENIAL THEORY - "Because of the Jews rejection, the church was
           given as a substitution until the Jews get ready."
     B.  The death of Christ was known for all ages - I Pet. 1:19,20; Rev. 13:8.
     C.  The result of that death was known just as long - Acts 20:28; Eph. 3:10,11.
     
III.  THE CHURCH IS A SOCIAL--POLITICAL ORGANIZATION.
     A.  We are to do good. Gal. 6:10; Mt. 25:31-46.
     B.  It has a higher interest than men's social or political interest.  The apostles never
           carried on protest and demonstrations--peaceful or otherwise.
     C.  Some seem to have forgotten the function of the church.  I Tim. 3:15; Eph. 3:10,11;
           Rom. 14:17; Acts 20:32.

IV.  THE CHURCH IS A MATERIAL BUILDING.
     A.  Some place great emphasis upon the size and beauty of the church building.
     B.  Christians are the house or temple of God.  Eph. 2:19-32; I Tim. 3:5; I Pet. 2:5.
     C.  God's dwelling place is not some "special" spot. Acts 17:24; Jn. 4:19-24.

V.  THE CHURCH IS NON-ESSENTIAL.
     A.  The saved are in the church - Acts 2:47.
     B.  Christ is it's saviour - Eph. 5:23-31.
     C.  Its members names are enrolled in heaven - Heb. 12:23; Rev. 20:15.

CONCLUSION:
     A.  The church is unique.
     1.  No baby can be born into it.
     2.  No proclamation of a king, or president, or dictator can command admission.
     3.  No act of congress or executive order secures recognition.
     4.  The wealth of a Ford, a Mellon, or a Rockefeller cannot purchase member-
           Ship in it.
     B.  The church's doors open only to the one, be he rich or poor, learned or ignorant,
           Black or white, who has faith in Jesus Christ, who is willing to confess that faith in
           Christ before men, who sincerely repents of his sins, and is buried with His Lord in
           Baptism.  (Conclusion taken from Gospel Advocate, May 30, 1935)