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How To Identify the Lord’s (True) Church

How To Identify the Lord’s (True) Church. Jesus Said… “I Will Build My Church” Matthew 16:18. Why This Study?. Many churches today claim to be the Lord’s church. Which one is right? I must be certain concerning the church of which I am a part (2 Corinthians 13:5; 1 John 4:1).

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How To Identify the Lord’s (True) Church

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  1. How To Identifythe Lord’s (True) Church Jesus Said… “I Will Build My Church” Matthew 16:18

  2. Why This Study? • Many churches today claim to be the Lord’s church. Which one is right? • I must be certain concerning the church of which I am a part (2 Corinthians 13:5; 1 John 4:1). • Something “close” or “near” will not do. • How can I help someone else find the Lord’s church?

  3. How To Identify Anything • We don’t use… • Feelings • Human opinions

  4. How To Identify Anything • Look for certain characteristics… • Finding your car in the parking lot? • Finding a runaway or missing person? • What we will use for the Lord’s Church… • Birthplace • Name • Age • Characteristics

  5. The Lord’s Church Jerusalem Isaiah 2:1ff; Micah 4:1ff; Luke 24:46-47 Churches of Men Rome (Catholic) Germany (Lutheran) England (Methodist) Switzerland (Presbyterian) America (Mormon, Adventist, Christian Science, Jehovah’s Witness Birthplace of the Church

  6. The Lord’s Church “Christians” (Acts 11:26) “Churches of Christ” (Romans 16:16) Other Bible designations (1 Corinthians 1:2; Hebrews 12:23) Churches of Men Catholic, Lutheran Episcopalian Presbyterian Baptist, Methodist Mormon, Adventist Muslim Jehovah’s Witness Etc. Name of the Church

  7. The Lord’s Church A.D. 33, during the Roman Empire Daniel 2:40-44; Joel 2:28-32; Matthew 16:18; Mark 9:1; Acts 1:3,8; 2:1-5,47 Note: Isaiah 2; Daniel 2; Joel 2 and Acts 2 Churches of Men 1400 B.C. (Judaism) 500-300 B.C. (Eastern Religions) A.D. 606 (Catholicism) A.D. 600’s (Islam) A.D. 1500’s (Protestant Reformation) A.D. 1800’s (American Frontier Churches, and the Restoration Movement) Age of the Church

  8. The Lord’s Church Founder / foundation: Jesus Matthew 16:18; 1 Corinthians 3:11; Ephesians 2:20 Churches of Men Martin Luther Henry VIII John Calvin John Smythe John Wesley Mary Baker Eddy Charles T. Russell Etc. Characteristics ofthe Church

  9. The Lord’s Church Law / doctrine: the New Testament Acts 2:42; Galatians 6:1; 2 Timothy 3:16-17 Churches of Men Creeds of men Catechisms Confessions Manuals Disciplines, Articles Book of Mormon Koran Etc. Characteristics ofthe Church

  10. The Lord’s Church Work: evangelizing the lost; edifying the saved; providing for poor saints Acts 11:26; 11:29; 13:1-3 Churches of Men Entertainment Recreation Politics Social reform Health care Education Etc. Characteristics ofthe Church

  11. The Lord’s Church Worship: singing, praying, preaching, contributing, and the Lord’s supper Ephesians 5:19; Acts 2:42; 20:7; 1 Corinthians 11:20ff; 16:1-2 Churches of Men Quarterly communion No communion Instrumental music Pageantry, images Prayer to saints Confession to priests Tithing, raffles, bingo, sales, businesses Etc. Characteristics ofthe Church

  12. The Lord’s Church Organization: saints, elders and deacons (independent) Philippians 1:1; Acts 14:23; 20:17,28; 1 Peter 5:2-4 Churches of Men Synods, Conventions Diocese, Conference Headquarters Societies Presidents, Popes Arch Bishop Presiding Elders Etc. Characteristics ofthe Church

  13. The Lord’s Church Preaching Ephesians 4:11; 1 Timothy 2:12 Churches of Men “Pastor” is the preacher “Reverend” “Father” “Apostles” Women preachers Etc. Characteristics ofthe Church

  14. The Lord’s Church Membership: hear, believe, repent, confess, be baptized Romans 10:17; Acts 18:8; Acts 17:30; Romans 10:10; Acts 2:38; 22:16 The Lord adds one (Acts 2:47) Churches of Men Faith only Join by vote or letter Sprinkling or pouring water for baptism No baptism Infant baptism Etc. Characteristics ofthe Church

  15. The Lord’s Church Spiritual, not carnal (1 Corinthians 3:1) Disciplined, not disorderly (2 Thessalonians 3:6) Pure, not spotted (Ephesians 5:27) Alive, not dead (Revelation 3:2) Hot, not lukewarm (Revelation 3:16) Churches of Men A church may have many correct characteristics, but be filled with carnality, worldliness, division and apathy Characteristics of the Church

  16. Find the Lord’s Church Today! • How many churches did Christ build (Matthew 16:18)? • Membership in a man-made church will bring you ruin (Matthew 15:13) • Division is against God’s will (John 17:21; 1 Corinthians 1:10; Ephesians 4:4) • Become a simple New Testament Christians today!

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