The Church & Modern Attitudes

“The church is not necessary.” Acts 2:38 “baptized for the remission of sins” Acts 2:41 “gladly received his word were baptized” Acts 2:47 “the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.”

“The church is not necessary.” Acts 20:28 “purchased with His own blood.” 1 Peter 1:18,19 “redeemed..with the precious blood of Christ” 1 Timothy 3:15 church = house of God Acts 2:41 “gladly received his word were baptized”

“Being a good moral person is enough” Acts 2:5 “devout men” Acts 2:37-39 “remission of sins” Acts 2:40 “Be saved” Acts 6:7 “priests obedient to the Faith.” Acts 10:1,2 “a devout man & one who feared God” “prayed to God” Acts 11:14 “words..by which you will be saved” Acts 10:47 commanded to be baptized Mark 16:16 “believes & is baptized”

“I can worship God anywhere.” Why would Jesus establish His church if it was an optional or unnecessary thing? (Matthew 16:18) Hebrews 10:25 “not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together” Acts 2:42 “breaking of bread” Acts 20:7 “first day of the week when the disciples came together to break bread” 1 Corinthians 11:18 “come together as a church”

“I am not into organized religion.” Matthew 16:18 “I will build My church” Acts 20:28 “purchased with His blood” Terms of Entrance: –Hearing – Romans 10:17 –Faith – Hebrews 11:6 –Repentance – Acts 17:30 –Confession- Romans 10:10 –Baptism Acts 2:38; Galatians 3:26,27

“I am not into organized religion.” Worship Organized –1 Corinthians 14:33,40 “decently & in order” –Acts 20:7 “disciples… break bread” –Acts 2:42 “apostles’ doctrine” –1 Corinthians 16:1,2 “lay by in store” –Ephesians 5:19 “singing”

“I am not into organized religion.” Organizational Structure –Jesus Sole Head- Ephesians 1:22,23 –Elders & Deacons- Philippians 1:1 –Titus 1:6-9 “set in order” Church discipline- –Matthew 18:15-18; 1 Corinthians 5:4,5; 2 Thessalonians 3:6; 1 Timothy 6:5; Romans 16:17

“I am not into organized religion.” Commanded to assemble –Hebrews 10:25 Acts of Worship –Lord’s Supper, Singing, giving Spiritually equipped by: –Teachers, Elders or Evangelists Ephesians 4:11-13 Exhort & Encourage- –1 Thessalonians 5:11-14; Galatians 6:1,2

“The denominations are a good thing.” If so, why did Jesus fail to establish even one denomination? Matthew 16:18 “my church” Romans 12:5 “one body in Christ” John 15:5 Branches = individual believers

“The denominations are a good thing.” New Testament does not mention or authorize them: –Names not found –Organizational structure not found –“Plan of salvation” not found –Acts of worship not found

“The denominations are a good thing.” New Testament does mention a falling away from the faith: –Acts 20:29,30 “draw away disciples” –1 Timothy 4:1-3 “depart from the faith” –2 Timothy 4:2-4 “not endure sound doctrine”

“Being sincere makes up for being misguided.” Matthew 7:21-23 NKJV 21 "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22 "Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?' 23 "And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!'