THE IDENTITY OF THE NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH
1. THE FORMS OF SPEECH TO INDICATE THAT
THE CHURCH IS SINGULAR IN NUMBER.
A. "Kingdom of Heaven"-Matt. 3:2; "Church of God"-
Acts 20:28; "Kingdom of God"-Mk. 1:14; "Kingdom of
His dear Son"-Col. 1:13; "House of faith"Gal. 6:10;
"House of God"-I Tim. 3:15- "The Body"-Col. 1:18.
B. Word "churches" has reference to local congregations.
C. One body. Eph. 4:4-6; Rom. 12:4, 5; 1 Cor. 12:20. Body-
church. Col. 1:18, 24. Reverse is true-Eph. 1:22, 23.
D. Paul addressed the church of God at Corinth-never Pres-
byterian, Methodist, etc.
II. SECTARIAN ORGANIZATIONS NOT BRANCHES
OF THE CHURCH.
A. New Testament writers do not address the Baptist branch,
Methodist. etc.
B. They use three figures: tree with trunk and branches;
vine with stem and branches; and stream with its tributar-
ies.
C. Some say it was grafted in, but read Rom. 11:24-says
that is contrary to nature. All fruit the same; from what
tree (church) were they taken?
D. Christ is the Vine, and we are the branches. jno. 15:1-6.
Baptized into Christ. Rom. 6:3; 1 Cor. 12:13.
111. UNITY IN CHRIST.
A. Christ prayed for unity. jno. 17:20, 21. Divisions cause in-
fidelity. Voltaire, Paine, Gibbons, Ingersoll, etc.
B. Prayed for unity of those who believed on Him through
apostles' words, NOT traditions.
C. Many say different organizations are different ways to
heaven. Where is the proof? BIBLE SPEAKS OF ONLY
ONE WAY. Matt. 7:14; jno. 14:6; Matt. 22:16; Mk. 12:14;
Lk. 20:21; Acts 16:17; 11 Peter 2:2, 15, 21; Acts 18:25, 26;
Heb. 9:8. We read of "wicked ways," "pernicious ways,"
.. ways of death." but not ways to heaven. See jer. 10:23.
IV. THOSE WHO CALL THEMSELVES ORTHODOX.
A. ORTHOS-right, true;
DOXA-Opinion; from "dokeo"-thinking right, sound-
ness of faith. Show fallacy in claim to be orthodox. Their
lack of agreement belles the actual meaning of the word
1. orthodox. "
B. Compare Presbyterians and others, and the Confession of
Faith. (Note especially chapter 3, section 1; sections 3 and
4; also chapter 12, sections 3 and 4. See Baptist Digtinc-
tives, pages 38 and 99.
C. Laws for man as harmonious and nearly perfect as laws
of nature.
D. All spurious coins imitate something genuine.
V. MUST HAVE IDENTICAL NAME OF CHURCH
IN NEW TESTAMENT.
A. The so-called "Church of God" has right name, but not
right doctrine and practice. In looking for John Smith,
might find someone by that name, but if not the right age
and description, then he is not the right man.
B. If nothing in a name, why hold on to denominational
name?
C. Church is the bride-the Lamb's wife-Rev. 21:9. See I
Cor. 11:3; Rev. 19:7, 8. What will our Baptist friends do
now, honoring the friend of the bridegroom rather than
the bridegroom Himself? John 3:29.
VI. MUST BE THE PROPER AGE AND BORN AT
THE RIGHT PLACE.
A. Age determined by date of birth.
B. Jesus born in Bethlehem-anyone born anywhere else
claiming to be the Christ would be an impostor.
C Any church beginning at any other place or time an impos-
tor-Mesopotamia, Sinai, Geneva, etc.
D. MUST ALSO HAVE PROPER FOUNDATION. Eph. 2:
20.
VII. ORGANIC LAW OF CHURCH OF CHRIST IS
THE NEW TESTAMENT
A. A government having any other law cannot be the govern-
ment of the U. S. Any church with any laws other than the
New Testament cannot be the Lord's church. (Mormon
Bible, etc.)
B. Church of God entered by birth, of water and the Spirit.
C. Mormon Bible makes Mormons; Presbyterian Confession
of Faith makes Presbyterians, etc.
D. Word of God makes Christians, and Christians only. Luke
8:1 1; I Peter 4:1 I.
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