1

Mt. 6:33

• “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you”

• It is implied that the church can be identified!

2

The Identity Of The Church

3Introduction --- The Church of Christ

• Is not a denomination• Was not founded by man• Is not a part of any religious

organization founded by man

4Introduction --- The Church of Christ

• It came from the mind of God• Was established in the city of

Jerusalem on the first Pentecost following the resurrection of Christ

51. The Foundation Of The Church Is Jesus Christ

• 1 Cor. 3:11• “For other foundation can no

man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ”

• A building is only as strong as it’s foundation and the same is true of the church!

61. The Foundation Of The Church Is Jesus Christ

• If a church is built upon a man or human creed, it will fall

• Only Jesus Christ has a right to build a church – for he is alone is “the Christ, the Son of the living God”

72. The Belief Or Creed Of The Church

• Is based upon the truth that Jesus is the Christ

• Mt. 16:16• “And Simon Peter answered and

said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

8

Mt. 28:20

• Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

93. The Name/Designations Of The Church

• We use only the designations found in the New Testament

• Acts 11:26• “And the disciples were called

Christians first in Antioch”

10

Rom. 16:16

• …..The churches of Christ salute you.

113. The Name/Designations Of The Church

• Mt. 16:18• And I say also unto thee, That

thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

123. The Name/Designations Of The Church

• The name ‘church of Christ” simply means that the church belongs to Christ

134. The Worship Of The Church Of Christ

• Is plainly taught in the N.T.• Jn. 4:24• “God is a Spirit: and they that

worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.”

144. The Worship Of The Church Of Christ

• Christians worship on Sunday – the first day of the week

• Acts 20:7• “And upon the first day of the

week, when the disciples came together to break bread,…”

15

1 Cor. 16:2

• Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.

164. The Worship Of The Church Of Christ

• The acts of worship which God commands are:

• Singing• Preaching• Praying• Giving • The Lord’s Supper

17

5. The Music Of The Church

• The music of the church is singing – this is the only kind of music which is authorized by God in his word for the worship of his church

18

Col. 3:16

• Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

19

Eph. 5:19

• Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;

20

5. The Music Of The Church

• Singing is commanded of all Christians and not just a select few

• Choirs, quartets, solos, etc. are not mentioned in the N.T.

• No authority for mechanical instruments of music

216. The Finances Of The Church Come From Free-will Offerings• Members of the church are to

give to God as God has prospered them

22

1 Cor. 16:1-2

• Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye. Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.

23

2 Cor. 9:7

• Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.

246. The Finances Of The Church Come From Free-will Offerings• These funds are to be used to

carry out the work of the church• Evangelism, edification and

benevolent works• Other means of raising money

are not authorized

257. The Membership Of The Lord’s Church

• Made up of all who hear the gospel of Christ, believe in Jesus Christ, repent of all their past sins, confess that Jesus is the Christ the Son of the living God, and are baptized in water for the remission of sins

267. The Membership Of The Lord’s Church

• Rom. 10:17• Jn. 8:24• Acts 17:30-31• Acts 8:37• Rom. 10:9-10• Acts 2:38• Rom. 6:4

277. The Membership Of The Lord’s Church

• Members who remain faithful unto death will receive the crown of life

• Rev. 2:10• “…be thou faithful unto death, and I

will give thee a crown of life.”

28

Gal. 6:9

• And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

298. The Bible Speaks Of Only One Church

• Eph. 4:4• “There is one body, and one

Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling”

30

Col. 1:18

• And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.

318. The Bible Speaks Of Only One Church

• Christ has promised to save his church at the last day

• Eph. 5:23• “And he is the head of the body, the

church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.”

328. The Bible Speaks Of Only One Church

• No salvation is promised to those out of Christ!

33

2 Th. 1:7-9

• And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:

34

• Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;

35

Conclusion

• Why not become a member of the church of Christ today that the hope of eternal life may be yours

36

Conclusion

• Made up of all who hear the gospel of Christ, believe in Jesus Christ, repent of all their past sins, confess that Jesus is the Christ the Son of the living God, and are baptized in water for the remission of sins

37

References

• The church of Christ, by Rod Rutherford, as reprinted from the Firm Foundation, March 26, 1985.