WHAT ABOUT THE CHURCH OF CHRIST

Is the church of Christ any different from other churches?
    A.  Does it have a Creed?
    B.  What does it believe.
    C.  These and other questions will be answered in this study.

I.  WHY DO WE EXIST?
     A.  Not to add another church to the many denominations already existing.
     B.  The church of Christ is not a denomination. John 17:21; 1 Cor.1:10-11.
     C.  The church of Christ is committed to the plea of Christ.
           1.  To restore primitive Christianity.
           2.  To exalt Christ above all party and human names.
           3.  Therefore: Where the Bible speaks, we speak.  Where the Bible is silent, we are silent.  
                In faith unity--in opinions and methods--liberty--in all things love.  No book but the       
                Bible--no name but the divine name.
    D.  The church of Christ began in 33 AD--Pentecost following the resurrection of Christ-Acts2
          1.  Jesus was preached--the Jews heard and believed--Acts 2:37-38, 47.
          2.  Luke 8:11--The seed of the Kingdom is the word of God.
          3.  Same word preached today that was preached then will produce the same church.

II.  THE NAME OF THE CHURCH.
      A.  General: The church--Matt.16:18; The church of God--Acts 20:28.
      B.  Congregationally: The church of Christ--Rom.16:16.
            1.  Individual members were called Christians--Isa.62:1-2; Acts 11:26.
            2.  Christ is the head of the church--Col.1:18.
            3.  Each congregation has--Jesus as head.  Elders as overseers of local congregation.         
                 Deacons who are special servants.  Preacher or evangelist.  Teachers.

III.  THE MISSION OF THE CHURCH.
       A.  To glorify God--This is the chief function.  
             1.  Glorify God in preaching   Matt.28:19-20.
             2. ....................  In holy living   Tit.2:11-12.
             3. ....................  In looking after the needs of the members of the church--1Thess.5:14.
             4. ....................  By remembering the poor--Gal.2:9; James 1:27.
             5. ....................  By the way we live --Matt.5:16.

IV.  THE WORSHIP OF THE NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH
        A.  The Lord's Supper - every first day of the week - Acts 2:42; Acts 20:7.
        B.  Singing - Eph.5:19; Col.3:16.
        C.  Giving - 1 Cor.16:1-2.
        D.  Prayer - Acts 2:42.
        E.  Teaching - Matt.28:19-20.


V.  HOW TO ENTER THE NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH
       1.  Must be converted.
       2.  Must be born again--Acts 2:37-38; 2 Cor.5:17; Rom.6:3-4; Gal.3:26-27.
       3.  The importance of baptism: Beautiful as it is re-enactment of the death, burial and            
             resurrection of Jesus.  The final acts to take us out of sin into a saved state--Mk.16:16.