THE PLATFORM OF CHRIST'S CHURCH

In seeking an objective- men sometimes state a platform on which the objective is sought.

Political parties are examples.
"Planks"are often written into the platform.

We do not propose to set forth "a creed" for the church of Christ.

                   The Church of Christ has no creed but Christ.
                   The Church of Christ has no article of faith but Christ.
                   The Church Manual is the Bible.
                    No confession of faith but that Jesus Christ to God's Son.

This lesson is designed to set forth the Church as it comes before the world....what the Church
believes and why.

I SUGGEST FIVE PLANKS IN THE PLATFORM.

I. THE BIBLE, THE WORD OF GOD, IS THE COMPLETE REVETATION OF GOD.
    A. John 17:3
         (l)--All men must know God.  Hear'. learn and come to Him.
         (2)--Men can know God only as God revealed Himself....Made Himself known.
         (3)--Therefore, God must have made Himself known.  He must have completely
                 revealed Himself for man to know Him.
     B.  Jesus futher claimed that God revealed Himself in His Son.      John  14:8-10
     C. The word which the Father spoke to the Son was given to the apostles and
          they gave it to the world.
          1. John  17:4, 8, l4, 20.
      D. In delivering  the word of God to the world, the apostles were not left an
          on their own.  JESUS PROMISED THEM DIVINE GUIDANCE
           1. John l4:26; l6:l3
      E. The quesion is a very simple one: DID THE H.S. GUIDE THE APOSTLES INTO ALL
           TRUTH?
            1.  2 Peter 1:3;  Jude 3; 2 Tin. 3:l6-17

SUMMARY:  Man must know God.....He must learn and come to God.  To  know God, God
must have revealed Himself Jesus declared that God revealed Himself Jesus said the H.S. would
guide the apostles in giving to the world  the word of God.....The H.S. would guide into all truth
Peter, Jude and Paul said it was done - THEREFORE - revelation is complete and it is preserved
in the Bible.




II. Plank number two is FAITH IN GOD THROUGH THE WORD OF GOD,, BECAUSE GOD    
     SPEAKS.
      A. The point of emphasis is FAITH IN GOD.
      B . It is one thing to believe God exists, but another thing to believe in God.
            l--Prov.3:5; 2 Tim. 1:12; Abraham is an example.   Heb. 11:8-12; Romans 4:3; 10:17
      C. Follow God and Christ in the face of opposition, skepticism, modernism and
          ridicule. 2 Cor. 5:17.

III. Plank number three is OBEDIENCE To GOD BECAUSE GOD COMMANDS.
      A. Abraham is an example.  James 2:2O-24; Genesis 22:12
      B. Jesus, the Son of God, learned obedience.  Heb. 5:9
      C. Matt. 7:21: 1 peter l:22; Rom.6:l6
      D. This obedience must be in matters of Faith, Morals and Worship.

IV. Plank number four is BE WHAT GOD WANTS ONE TO BE, BECAUSE IT GLORIFIES      
      GOD.
      A.  What does God want one to be?  A CHRISTIAN.
            l--Acts 11:26; 26:28; I peter 4:16
      B.  Not a Christian in name ONLY,, but in every day life as well, A Christian is one who        
           obeys the gospel. (Plan of salvation).  A Christian is one who lives a faithful Christ like     
           life.

V. Plank number five is ENJOY THE PROMISES OF GOD, BECAUSE GOD IS ABLE TO         
     AND  WILL KEEP THEM.
     A.   Acts 2:39; Heb.8:11;  Matt. 11:28-30;  1 Peter 3:7; Heb. 13:5;  Matt. 6:33;  Jno.5:28-29;
            Matt. 25:26; 2 Peter 3:9.
                 
CONCLUSION: This is the platform on which the early church came into existence.  It is still
the platform for the true church today.