1. Will History Repeat Itself? Lord’s Church 1840 1950 1850 Lord’s Church Christian Church Christian Church Lord’s Church Liberal Church 2000 Christian Church Lord’s Church Liberal Church

2. History Does Repeat Itself Advantageous Study Understand Causes of Religious Division Unity Must Be Maintained Recognize Early Departures From Standard Self-examination Is Difficult Hard To See Own Faults Motives Sincere

3. Lessons: The New Testament Church The Falling Away Predicted The Apostasy – Rise of Catholicism The Reformation – Rise of Denominationalism The Restoration Apostasies Following the Restoration

5. Hear the Gospel – Mk. 16:15; Rom. 10:17 Believe the Gospel – Mk. 16:15-16; Jn. 8:24 Confess Faith in Christ – Matt. 10:32 Repent – Lk. 13:3 Be Baptized for Remission of Sins – Acts 2:38 Faithful Service – 1 Jn. 2:3-6; Rev. 2:10 MEMBERSHIP

6. Saved By Blood Saved By Baptism WhatWhen Rev. 1:5 Heb. 9:14 Matt. 26:28 Rom. 5:9 Acts 22:16 1 Pet. 3:21 Acts 2:38 Rom. 6:3-5, 17-18 Washed Consc. Clean Sins Remitted Made Free Blood of Christ Saves When We Obey God’s Command To Be Baptized! BIBLE TEACHES MEMBERSHIP

7. He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins. (Col. 1:13-14). MEMBERSHIP

8. ORGANIZATION Universal Body – No Earthly Organization Local Body of Christ  Elders (Acts 14:23) - Plurality in every church (Acts 20:17; Ti. 1:5) - Limited Oversight (Acts 20:28; 1 Pet.5:1-4) - Equality in Eldership (1 Pet. 5:1-4)  Deacons (Phil. 1:1; 1 Tim. 3:8-13) - Perform special services (Acts 6:1-7)  Members (Phil. 1:1)  Evangelists (Eph. 4:11)

9. Pray (Acts 2:42) Give As Prospered (1 Cor. 16:1-2) Lord’s Supper (1 Cor. 11:23-26; 20:7) Preach Gospel (Acts 2:42; 1 Tim. 3:15) Sing (Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16; 1 Cor. 14:15) WORSHIP

10. Teach Gospel (1 Tim. 3:15) Care for Needy Saints (Rom. 15:25-26) Edify the Saints (Eph. 4:11-12) Mission is NOT: - Social - Recreational - Money-making - Political MISSION - WORK

11. Hear, Believe, Repent, Confess, Baptism MEMBERSHIP ORGANIZATION Elders, Deacons, Saints, Evangelist WORSHIP Pray, Give, Sing, Preach, Communion Preach Gospel, Edify Saints, Help Needy Saints MISSION - WORK

12. CONCLUSION Lord’s Church Is Sufficient - Has Complete Revelation (Jude 3) - Designed by God (Eph. 3:8-11) - Built by Christ (Matt. 16:18) Any supposed improvement must come from someone wiser than God! - 1 Cor. 1:25-31 - Isa. 55:8-9