1. Matthew 16:18 I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church Revelation 22:16 I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things for the churches

2. Matthew 16:18 I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church Revelation 22:16 I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things for the churches and

3. Reexamining the concept of “church”  Importance of and need for study  What is “church”?  Distinctions between “My church” and “the churches”  “Church” is a collective noun  Incorrect concepts of “my church”  The correct concept of “my church”  The importance of “the churches”  The work of “the churches”

4. The importance of and need for study

5. Word “church” occurs 115 times in NT, primarily in contexts dealing with spiritual matters “My church” and “the churches” should stir interest of spiritually minded people But as with other biblical concepts misinformation abounds  Inaccurate information comes from religious world generally and even those in “the churches”  Prolonged dependency on Bible class material, tracts, etc. often reflect inaccurate conclusions  Traditional approaches and conclusions have resulted which perpetuate the inaccuracies  Need to be willing to take the advice we give to others: Acts 17:11

6. Our concepts (how we perceive things to be) are not just academic, inconsequential matters The words we use and actions in which we engage are but extensions of how we think. If our thinking is inaccurate, our actions and our language will be incorrect as well. We are commanded to strive for accuracy in our teaching, 2 Timothy 2:15.

7. Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so Acts 17:11 Should we be willing to carefully examine teaching both familiar or unfamiliar (non-traditional) and accept the unfamiliar (non-traditional) if that’s where the study leads? a willingness to learn and evaluate something fairly - 'willingness to learn, to be open-minded, to readily receive information and to regard it as true - 'to receive readily, to accept, to believe.' eagerness to engage in some activity or event - 'eagerness, desire. to try to learn the nature or truth of something by the process of careful study, evaluation and judgment - 'to examine carefully, to investigate, to study thorough All definitions: Louw and Nida

8. Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, handling accurately the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15 to give accurate instruction - 'to teach correctly, to expound rightly.‘…'do your best... to teach the word of truth correctly' Louw and Nida lit., "to cut straight" (orthos, "straight," temno, "to cut"), is found in 2 Tim 2:15, KJV, "rightly dividing," RV, "handling aright" (the word of truth); the meaning passed from the idea of cutting or "dividing," to the more general sense of "rightly dealing with a thing." What is intended here is not "dividing" Scripture from Scripture, but teaching Scripture accurately. Vine's Dictionary Should we choose our words carefully in speaking of biblical concepts, making sure that our statements accurately reflect what the Bible teaches?

9. Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, handling accurately the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15 to give accurate instruction - 'to teach correctly, to expound rightly.‘…'do your best... to teach the word of truth correctly' Louw and Nida lit., "to cut straight" (orthos, "straight," temno, "to cut"), is found in 2 Tim 2:15, KJV, "rightly dividing," RV, "handling aright" (the word of truth); the meaning passed from the idea of cutting or "dividing," to the more general sense of "rightly dealing with a thing." What is intended here is not "dividing" Scripture from Scripture, but teaching Scripture accurately. Vine's Dictionary Should we choose our words carefully in speaking of biblical concepts, making sure that our statements accurately reflect what the Bible teaches? Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. He does not say, "And to seeds," as referring to many, but rather to one, "And to your seed," that is, Christ. Gal. 3:16

10. What use is it, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but he has no works? Can that faith save him? James 2:14 By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed Hebrews 11:8 For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law. Romans 3:28 the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven Hebrews 12:22-23 So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria enjoyed peace Acts 9:31 From Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called to him the elders of the church. Acts 20:17 FaithChurchand

11. Do the following statements convey scriptural ideas of the concept of SIN? I know I sin but those sins are little ones and I don’t do them very often, so that’s ok. God’s grace abounds when I sin, so the more I sin the more I can cause God’s grace to abound. The sins I commit in my body (outward man) have no impact upon my inner man.

12. Do the following statements convey scriptural ideas of the concept of SALVATION? Since we are saved by God’s grace and not works, baptism is not needed because it is a work. Once I become saved there is nothing I can do to lose that salvation. I am saved by my faith alone so there is nothing else I must do.

13. Do the following statements convey scriptural ideas of the concept of CHURCH? Question - “What are you religiously?” Answer - “I’m Church of Christ.” The Church of Christ teaches that baptism is for the remission of sins. We all need to be more faithful to the church.

14. Do the following statements convey scriptural ideas of the concept of CHURCH? In the Restoration Movement, the Church was restored because it had fallen away. All of brother and sister Smith’s children were raised in the church. We need to have a better relationship with our sister congregations.

15. Do the following statements convey scriptural ideas of the concept of CHURCH? You can’t join the church There is only one church and that church is organized with elders and deacons Mom and dad were Church of Christ and raised all their children that way

16. Do the following statements convey scriptural ideas of the concept of CHURCH? John married in the church. Sign outside of building---“The Church of Christ Meets Here---Established A.D. 33” Our church is a part of the congregations of the Church of Christ.

17. Do the following statements convey scriptural ideas of the concept of CHURCH? Mary left the church many years ago but Sunday morning she came back to the church You should be a member of the church you can read about in the New Testament Attend the church of God’s choice All Christians are members of the catholic church You must be a member of the church of Christ in order to be saved