2. The Church of Christ Is Different

3. Introduction  Your concept of the church?  Just another denomination?  Challenge—erase that concept from mind.  How’d you like to be part of something different? Peculiar? Distinct? Standing apart from others? Purchased?  A principle! Ex. 19:5; Deut. 14:2; I Pet. 2:9  A different people.

4. The Church of Christ Is Different From:  Paganism: By its faith in one God. Deut. 6:4; Isa. 44:6,8 By its faith in one God. Deut. 6:4; Isa. 44:6,8 Great problem through Bible history.Great problem through Bible history. Much of society today reflects paganism.Much of society today reflects paganism. Paul’s answer to paganism. Acts 14:8-18; 17:21-28Paul’s answer to paganism. Acts 14:8-18; 17:21-28

5. The Church of Christ Is Different From:  Judaism: By its faith in Christ as the Son of God. By its faith in Christ as the Son of God. Most Jews rejected Christ. Jn. 5:39, 46; Acts 17:5ffMost Jews rejected Christ. Jn. 5:39, 46; Acts 17:5ff Bribed soldiers to lie about the resurrection. Mat. 28:11-15Bribed soldiers to lie about the resurrection. Mat. 28:11-15

6. The Church of Christ Is Different From:  Catholicism: By faith in sufficiency of Christ and His word. By faith in sufficiency of Christ and His word. Sufficient as head. Eph. 1:22-23Sufficient as head. Eph. 1:22-23 Word sufficient as rule of faith and practice. 2 Tim. 3:16-17; 2 Pet. 1:3; Jude 3Word sufficient as rule of faith and practice. 2 Tim. 3:16-17; 2 Pet. 1:3; Jude 3

7. The Church of Christ Is Different From:  Protestant Denominationalism: By faith in authority of Christ. By faith in authority of Christ. Assertions of 2 Tim. 3:16-17—Inspiration, Authority, and Sufficiency.Assertions of 2 Tim. 3:16-17—Inspiration, Authority, and Sufficiency. Many now question both the authority and inspiration of Scripture.Many now question both the authority and inspiration of Scripture.

8. The Church of Christ Is Different From:  The Irreligious: By faith in the life of Christ. Gal. 2:20; I Pet. 2:21-22 By faith in the life of Christ. Gal. 2:20; I Pet. 2:21-22 Example to be followed. Rom. 8:29; 2 Cor. 3:18 Example to be followed. Rom. 8:29; 2 Cor. 3:18

9. Why the Church of Christ Is Different  Respect God’s pattern for the church.  God’s pattern for all His great institutions: Ark. Gen. 6 Ark. Gen. 6 Tabernacle. Ex. 25:9,40 Tabernacle. Ex. 25:9,40 Temple. I Chron. 28:9-13, 19 Temple. I Chron. 28:9-13, 19 The church. Heb. 8:4-5 (Shadow / Substance) The church. Heb. 8:4-5 (Shadow / Substance)  Warnings & rebukes of NT indicate a pattern. Cf. I Cor. 11:27 “Where there is no order, there can be no disorder.” Alexander Campbell

10. Why the Church of Christ Is Different  Must judge every item of faith and practice by God’s pattern. Results in concern about matters “silly” to denominations: Results in concern about matters “silly” to denominations: Action of baptismAction of baptism Purpose of baptismPurpose of baptism Mechanical instruments of music in worshipMechanical instruments of music in worship Local church independence and workLocal church independence and work

11. Why the Church of Christ Is Different  Must judge every item of faith and practice by God’s pattern. Suppose a contractor ADDS to blue print for a building Suppose a contractor ADDS to blue print for a building Restoration ideal rests upon concept that God has a pattern—the NT is the church’s blueprint. Restoration ideal rests upon concept that God has a pattern—the NT is the church’s blueprint.

12. Our Plea: Keep the Church Different  Distinctive preaching—contend for the faith. Jude 3  Practices must be scriptural—not denominational.  Faith unmarred by modern ideology  Plead for return to NT authority in all things religious.

13. Conclusion:  God has a pattern. Must be followed.  If we’re robbed of this conviction, we become just like others. Lose distinctiveness.  Faith in deity and other fundamentals cannot long survive.  A pattern demands we speak where Bible speaks…

14. Conclusion:  A pattern demands we speak where Bible speaks…and respect its silence.  If NT is not a pattern, then it matters little what we speak…..  OR WHETHER WE SPEAK AT ALL.