 Teaching truth always generates controversy: Jn. 3:  Our series on the New Testament Church has already touched on several controversial subjects.  This morning’s lesson is also quite controversial. 2

The New Testament Church

 Teaching truth always generates controversy: Jn. 3:  Our series on the New Testament Church has already touched on several controversial subjects.  This morning’s lesson is also quite controversial.  “Who are you to say who is a Christian or who isn’t?!”  I’m a nobody! It is not up to me to make such a determination…God does!  In His Word God clearly answers “Who Is a Christian?” Ezek My appeal to answer this essential question will be to God’s Word: John 17:17; 8:32 1 Peter 4:11; Psalm 119:105 Imitate the Bereans! Acts 17:11

 Paul speaks of being “in Christ” or “in Him” at least seven times in Eph. 1:3-14.  To be a Christian one must be “in Christ” (Eph. 1:7).  Paul tells us how to get “in Christ”: Gal. 3:  Getting into Christ involves “faith” Gal. 3:26; how do we get “faith” ? Rom. 10:17; Jn. 6:44-45; 2 Thess. 2:13- 14; Jas. 1:18; 1 Pet. 1:23; Eph. 1:13-14  Because the gospel is God’s calling card is why Jesus gave the Great Commission: Mk. 16:15-16; Matt. 28: Who Is a Christian?

 Those hearing the gospel first become “disciples” (i.e., learners): Matt. 28:19.  They are learning what God requires of them to be saved (i.e., to become a Christian): Acts 2:21,  In v. 37 they were essentially asking Peter: “What must we do to ‘call on the name of the Lord and be saved’”?  Peter answers that question in v. 38; exactly what Paul told the Galatians in Gal. 3:27.  Who is a Christian? One who hears, believes and obeys the gospel of Christ: Acts 2:38; 2:21.  If one does not meet these conditions he is not a Christian! Titus 1:2; Heb. 6:18 6 Who Is a Christian? Serious business? “…when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, 8 in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power,” —2 Thessalonians 1:7-9

 Those responding to Peter’s instructions in Acts 2 were “calling on the name of the Lord to be saved”: Acts 2:21.  When they obeyed they were “added” to something: Acts 2:41; “added” to what? Acts 2:47 “the church.”  Who “added” who to what? Acts 2:41, 47; 2:21 The “adding” was done by the “Lord.” The “adding” was done by the “Lord.” Those being “added” were: (1) “added to the church,” (2) those “who gladly received [Peter’s] word,” (3) those who “were baptized,” (4) “those who were being saved,” and (5) those “calling on the name of the Lord to be saved.” Those being “added” were: (1) “added to the church,” (2) those “who gladly received [Peter’s] word,” (3) those who “were baptized,” (4) “those who were being saved,” and (5) those “calling on the name of the Lord to be saved.”  The Lord adds the saved to His church: Eph. 1:22-23; 5:23; Col. 1: Who Is a Christian?

 So far so good: the Lord adds the saved to the church.  But we learned there are thousands of denominational churches…to which church does the Lord add them?  The saved are not “added” to any denomination, because denominations are not His church! Matt. 16:18; Eph. 4:4; Acts 2  Recall the “seed principle”? “the seed” is “the word of God”: Lk. 8:11; 1 Pet. 1:23. “the seed” is “the word of God”: Lk. 8:11; 1 Pet. 1:23. Seed always produces “after its kind.” Seed always produces “after its kind.” When the “incorruptible” “seed…the word of God” is planted in the hearts of men; what does it produce? When the “incorruptible” “seed…the word of God” is planted in the hearts of men; what does it produce? 8 Who Is a Christian?

 Does it produce Methodists? Presbyterians? Baptists? Catholics? No! To get Methodists must plant the Methodist Discipline. To get Methodists must plant the Methodist Discipline. To get Presbyterians must plant the Westminster Confession of Faith. To get Presbyterians must plant the Westminster Confession of Faith. To get Baptists must plant the Baptist Manual. To get Baptists must plant the Baptist Manual. To get Catholics must plant the Catechism of the Catholic Church. To get Catholics must plant the Catechism of the Catholic Church. To get Disciples of Christ (i.e., Christian Church denomination) must plant The Design for the Christian Church. To get Disciples of Christ (i.e., Christian Church denomination) must plant The Design for the Christian Church.  Seed always produces “after its kind”! 9 Who Is a Christian? God’s Word only produces Christians! Just Christians! Nothing more nothing less! No “hyphenated” Christians!

 Vast difference depending upon God’s definition versus man’s definition: Not all good people are Christians: Not all good people are Christians:  Nicodemus: Jn. 3:2; 7:50; 19:39; 3:3, 5  Cornelius: Acts 10:1-2; 11:14 Not all religious people are Christians: Acts 2:9-10; 17:22; 26:5; 16:14; Jas. 1:26-27; Matt. 15:9; Jn. 14:6; Matt. 7:13-14 Not all religious people are Christians: Acts 2:9-10; 17:22; 26:5; 16:14; Jas. 1:26-27; Matt. 15:9; Jn. 14:6; Matt. 7:13-14 Not all church members are Christians: Eph. 4:4; Matt. 16:18; Col. 1:18; 5:23 Not all church members are Christians: Eph. 4:4; Matt. 16:18; Col. 1:18; 5:23 Sitting in a corn field does not make you a farmer. Sitting in a corn field does not make you a farmer. No such thing as “hyphenated” Christians. No such thing as “hyphenated” Christians. 10 Who Is a Christian? Which denomination did the apostle John belong? Peter? Paul? No denomination could claim any of the apostles today because they were all simply members of Christ’s church!

 Vast difference depending upon God’s definition versus man’s definition: Not all believers are Christians: Jn. 3:16; Acts 8:37 Not all believers are Christians: Jn. 3:16; Acts 8:37  Demons believe, but not saved: Jas. 2:19  Jewish rulers believed, but not saved: Jn. 12:42  To be effective belief must be coupled with obedience: Jas. 2:19-20, Who Is a Christian?

 Our lesson only focused on the initial steps to become a Christian.  Once we become a Christian we must live our lives as Christ lived His: 1 Pet. 2:21; 1 Jn. 2:6; 1:6- 7; Gal. 2:20. 12

13 2 Cor. 5:10-11a: “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. 11 Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men…” 2 Thess. 1:7-9: “…when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, 8 in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power…” Serious business? Hear: Rom. 10:17 Believe: Jn. 3:16; Heb. 11:6 Repent: Acts 17:30-31 Confess Christ: Matt. 10:32; Rom. 10:10; Acts 8:37 Baptism: Acts 2:38; Gal. 3:27 The Lord will then add you to His church! Acts 2:47; Eph. 5:23