True Christianity

True Christianity

How Do We Know The Truth?

AboutAn Example

Imagine there is a book written to guide you to a certain destination…..



Everyone in the world has access to this book, and many want to go to the same destination, as you do…..



BUT, there are many interpretations according to different people regarding the way to get to the destination by following the things written in the book. (II Timothy 4:3)



You value the book.



You value it’s truth, because you have studied it (II Timothy 2:15)and you truly desire to get to this specific location.



Plus the writings found in the book hold the sure way to be certain you will get there!



BUT THERE IS A PROBLEM!!



You’ve heard a few interpretations that are similar, but there are some vital oppositions that are different ; its impossible that they can all be right, because there is only ONE WAY! (John 14:6) to this special destination.



So now, you have to !THINK!



Let’s say out of all the various interpretations that you have heard, one thing sticks out that is the total opposite of the other interpretations. And lets say this one thing that sticks out is actually written word- for- word in the book?



Q: What would you conclude about which is the True Interpretation that you should believe?



A:____________________________________________________________


The Gospel (I Corinthians 15:1-7)

Salvation (Acts 4:12, Mark 16:16 )

And The ONE Church (Ephesians 1:22,23;4:4; 5:23)



Are not hard concepts within the Bible with proper study.

It is a mindset, or a belief system that does not allow a person to clearly see, understand, and obey God’s Holy Word.



We all have a choice to make.



It’s Simple.



Either Follow Jesus Christ…. Or Not…..



Those who are not Christians have made that choice.



But those who profess to be Christian, MUST do it according to the Bible if they are True Followers of Christ (Acts 2:38)



Have you obeyed? (scripture)

Are you following the Bible, or what someone has led you to believe about the Bible? (Galatians 1:10)



Have you compared the scriptures with your current beliefs?



If not, what are you waiting for? (Hebrews 4:7)



On the Day of Judgment you will be judged according to the “scriptures” so be SURE!



But if you have, please pass this example to someone who needs it…….

BIBLICAL FACTS ABOUT THE CHURCH OF CHRIST


The Church of Christ was founded in a scriptural place.

The Church was founded in Jerusalem.

The prophecy of Isaiah: Isaiah 2:2,3 – Jehovah’s house was to be established in Jerusalem.

Micah 4:1,2

Zechariah 1:16

Luke 24:46-49 – Christ had to suffer and rise from the dead before repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name. The proclamation of this message was to begin in Jerusalem.



The Church of Christ was founded by a scriptural builder.

The Church was founded by Christ.

Matthew 16:18- Christ promised to build his church.

Therefore, no church can be scriptural, unless it was founded by Christ!

No human being ever had or has scriptural authority to originate a church.



The Church of Christ was founded on the scriptural foundation.

The Church was founded under Jesus Christ.

The Lord’s church has not been founded upon the weakness of human flesh,

but upon the divinity and sonship of Christ.

1 Corinthians 3:11- For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid,

which is Jesus Christ.



The Church of Christ is the only Church founded by Christ.

Matthew 16:18- Jesus only promised to build ONE church, not churches.

Ephesians 4:4- Paul teaches that there is ONE body (church), – Ephesians 1: 22,23

Romans 12:4,5

1 Corinthians 12:20



The Church of Christ is nondenominational.



Denominations-

1) Have many bodies/churches 2) Founded by men 3) Human heads 4) Human Creeds 5) Wears Human names 6) Follow men 7) Multiplicity of churches unknown to the Bible 8. Membership not essential to salvation 9) Preach many gospels 10) Rewrite creeds every few years 11)Many faiths 12) Many baptisms 13) Join churches 14) Claim to be abiding in branches of the church 15) Walk by different rules 16) Claim doctrine is inconsequential.



The Church of Christ-

1) One Body (Church) -Matthew 16:18; 1 Corinthians 12:20

2) Founded by Christ; Matthew 16:18

3) Christ is the Head- Ephesians 1:22,23

4)Bible is the only creed- 2 Timothy 3:16,17

5) Glorifies God in the name Christian- 1 Peter 4:16

6) Following Men is condemned – 1 Corinthians 1: 10-13

7) Mentioned in the Bible- Romans 16:16

8. Membership in Christ’s church is essential to salvation – Ephesians 5:23

9) If a man preach any other gospel, he is condemned- Galatians 1: 8,9

10) Bible remains the same- Matthew 24:35

11) One Faith – Ephesians 4:9

12) One baptism- Ephesians 4:5

13) God adds to the church- Acts 2:47

14) Jesus said, “Abide in me, the true vine”- John 15:1-6

15) Walk by the same rule- Philippians 3:16

16) Take heed into doctrine to save self and others- 1 Timothy 4:16



The Church of Christ gives scriptural answers on “How to be Saved”.

Salvation is not passive, but active.

God saves, yet man saves himself by obeying the Gospel.

Romans 1:16

Acts 2:40, 4:12

HEAR – Romans 10:17

BELIEVE – Acts 16:31

REPENT – Acts 2:38

CONFESS – Romans 10:10

BE BAPTIZED – Acts 2:38

LIVE YOUR LIFE FOR CHRIST – 1 Thessalonians 4:3-12



The Church of Christ adheres to Scriptural Teachings



Scriptural Church

Everything about the church is scriptural:

From the foundation laid by Christ…..the activities in the church…..the teachings in the church…to the coming of the Lord for his church……..



Scriptural Name

Many people do not feel that the name of the church is important.

But God has reverence for names or else he would not have created them!

Notice Genesis 5:2, when he “named” Adam and Eve.

Notice Genesis 17:5,15, when he changed Abram’s “name” to Abraham, and Sarai’s “name” to Sarah.

Notice Genesis 32:27,28, when he changes Jacob’s “name” to Israel.

In 1 Corinthians 1:13, Paul condemned human and divisive names by asking, “Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized into the “name” of Paul?”

Therefore, when you add a “name” other than Christ to the church, you are linking that “name” with the owner of the church…In the Bible it says that Christ is the foundation of the church -

1 Corinthians 3:11

Salvation is found in no one else, for there is not other “name” under heaven given to men by which we must be SAVED. – Acts 4:12

The Church of Christ carries a scriptural name. – Romans 16:16

The Church of Christ shows possession….not a denominational “man-created” name.

It is called the Church of Christ because the church belongs to Christ,

under no other name can we be saved. -Acts 4:12

1 Corinthians 1:13 – Christ is not divided.

Most “churches” carry names that are not even in the Bible. So how can that be scriptural?



Scriptural Activities

The Lord’s Supper- I Corinthians 11:23-29, Acts 20:7
Giving- 1 Corinthians 16:1-3
Public teaching by Men ONLY- 1 Corinthians 14:34,35
Speaking where the Bible says to speak, and silent, where it says to be silent- 1 Peter 4:11
Spiritual Prayer- 1 Corinthians 14:13-19, James 5:13-16

Scriptural Baptism

Baptism
Burial in Water- Colossians 2:12, Romans 6: 3-5, Acts 8:36-37
In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost- Matt. 28:19
For remission of sins- Acts 2:38, Acts 22:16
To Save us- 1 Peter 3:21; John 3:5

Scriptural Music

Singing Colossians 3:16
Melody in the Heart- Ephesians 5:19
Fruit of the Lips- Hebrews 13:15
With Spirit and understanding- 1 Corinthians 14:15



The Church of Christ is the ONLY Church that offers Christians SALVATION because it is the ONLY scriptural church, meaning the only church that you can read about thoroughly in the Bible, from beginning to end!

When observing a scriptural church look for the marks:

Built By Christ

Built On Christ

In Jerusalem

On Pentecost

Any church that does not bear these marks is NOT the Church Jesus promised to build.

It may have good people in it and may teach and do many excellent things, but it is not the church of the living God; it is a human church imposed on the credulity of man.