The Distinctive Nature of the Church OF Christ

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The Distinctive Nature of the Church OF Christ

• A study of the distinctive features of the church
  that is truly OF Christ

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Definitions
The Distinctive Nature of the Church OF Christ

• Distinctive
• Serving to distinguish or set apart
• Nature
• The inherent character - Essence
• Church
• Ekklesia (1577)- The called out
• OF Christ
• Relating to - Indicates belonging

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Applying The Definitions
The Distinctive Nature of the Church OF Christ

• The inherent, distinguishable characteristics or
  essence of the people who belong to Christ,
  having been called out of the world by Him.

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The Authority OF Christ
The Churches OF Christ Will Have...

• (Mt.2818) (Ep.122-23)
• For all that it does (Ep.524) (Co.317)
  (Mt.721-23)
• Precept (Mk.710) (Jo.645)
• Approved Example (Jo.536)
• Nec. Implication (Lk.2037-38)
• Not the authority of Moses or David (2Ti.215)
  (Co.214)

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The Doctrine OF Christ
The Churches OF Christ Will Have...

• (2Jo.19)
• No doctrines of men (Mt.157-9)
• Faith only salvation
• Once saved - always saved
• One church as good as another
• Auricular confession to priest
• Teach no other doctrine (1Ti.13)
• (1Ti.63-5) (2Jo.110-11) (Mt.166,12)

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The Members OF Christ
The Churches OF Christ Will Have...

• (Ep.530,32) (1Co.1227)
• How do we become members OF Christ?
• Through proper obedience
• Must have the wedding garment
• No sprinkling or denom. baptism
• Sanctified (1Co.11-2)
• Pure lives (2Co.71) (Ep.51-4)

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The Organization OF Christ
The Churches OF Christ Will Have...

• (1Pe.51-3)
• Elders, Deacons, Saints (Ph.11)
• Elders in every church (Ac.1423)
• New Testament churches
• Planned their own work
• Implemented their own work
• Selected their own messengers
• Raised their own funds

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The Worship OF Christ
The Churches OF Christ Will Have...

• (Jo.423-24)
• Not the worship of self-will
• (Ge.43-7) (He.114) (Le.101-3)
• The Lords Supper (Ac.207)
• Contribution (1Co.161-2)
• Prayer (Ac.242)
• Singing (He.212)
• Preaching (Ac.207)

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The Mission OF Christ
The Churches OF Christ Will Have...

• Jesus did not come to this earth to end disease,
  hunger, illiteracy or cruelty to animals
  (Mt.121) (Mk.138) (Lk.443)
• Evangelism (1Th.18)
• Edification (Ep.411-16)
• Benevolence (Ac.432-35)
• Any other mission is not OF Christ

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The Fellowship OF Christ
The Churches OF Christ Will Have...

• (1Co.19) (2Co.614-18) (Ep.511)
• No joint ventures with the denominations
• Trading pulpits with denominational preachers
• Ministerial Alliance
• Bus ministry, Vacation Bible School, Youth
  Rallies, etc.

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Applying It All
The Distinctive Nature of the Church OF Christ

• The church that is OF Christ bears some
  distinctive marks
• The marks are easily recognizable
• Any church that does not bear these marks of
  distinction is not OF Christ
• Are you a part of a church that is OF Christ?
  (Mt.1513)

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The Distinctive Nature of the Church OF Christ

• A study of the distinctive features of the church
  that is truly OF Christ