The Bond of Faith(I Corinthians 12:12-15)(I Corinthians 12:12-15)

I. Congregational Autonomy.A. There is no superstructure smaller than

the headship of Christ (Colossians 1:18) or larger than the local eldership.

B. Each congregation governs its own affairs under the law of Christ. (I Peter 5:2).

The Bond of Faith(I Corinthians 12:12-15)(I Corinthians 12:12-15)

II. There is a connection that exists between all believers

A. “Common faith” (Titus 1:1-4).

B. “Mutual faith” (Romans 1:9-12).

C. “Common salvation” (Jude 1-3).

D. Two-directional fellowship (I John 1:1-3).

E. “All things in common” (Acts 2:44; 4:32).

The Bond of Faith(I Corinthians 12:12-15)(I Corinthians 12:12-15)

III. All Believers Are Bound To One Another

A. Modern believers are brethren to the prophets. (Revelation 22:8, 9).

1. They are a part of the “church of the Firstborn who are registered in heaven” (Hebrews 12:23).

2. “Kingdom which shall never be destroyed” (Daniel 2:44).

The Bond of Faith(I Corinthians 12:12-15)(I Corinthians 12:12-15)

III. All Believers Are Bound To One AnotherB. Christians are fellow servants with all other

saints & angels. (Revelation 19:5-10).

C. “Fellow workers” for Christ (III John 3-8).

1. “Fellow laborer in the gospel of Christ” (I Thessalonians 3:2).

2. “Fellow laborers in the kingdom of God” (Colossians 4:11).

The Bond of Faith(I Corinthians 12:12-15)(I Corinthians 12:12-15)

IV. How Does This Bond Demonstrate Itself?A. Believers “strive together in prayer”

(Romans 15:30-32).

B. Fellowship in Material & Spiritual Things. (Romans 15:25-27).

C. Support of Preaching. (Philippians 4:15-18).

D. Caring about the faith of those unknown to us. (Romans 1:8-10).

The Bond of Faith(I Corinthians 12:12-15)(I Corinthians 12:12-15)

V. What does this mean to us in our own walk with the Lord?

• We are not alone.• We share a common cause with people

different from ourselves. (Galatians 3:28; Colossians 3:9-11).

• We must bear with one another (Romans 15:1-3).

The Bond of Faith(I Corinthians 12:12-15)(I Corinthians 12:12-15)

V. What does this mean to us in our own walk with the Lord?

• We are a part of a vast unseen kingdom. (cf. II King 6:16,17).

• We must care about the faithfulness of Christians in other places.

• Distance does not separate Christians. • Heaven will be a reunion.