Shopping for A Church?

Attitudes Membership at large – no responsibility Left membership letter – denominational concept No local church – individual only WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

Which Church? Universal Acts 2:47 1 Cor. 12:13 Local Christian Desires Acts 9:23-28 Church Receives Acts 18:24-28

The Name on the building “It says Church of Christ” How Do I Decide?

WORSHIP It makes a difference how. Gen. 4:3-5; Mt. 15:9; Acts 17:23; Col. 2:23; Jn. 4:24 Lord’s Supper - Acts 20:7 Singing- Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16.; 1 Cor. 14:15 “David used it.” Ps 150; 66:13-15; Heb. 7:12 “It doesn’t say NOT to use it.” 2 John 9 “It is an aid.” (No, it is another kind.) “In the Greek word.” Orthodox (Greek speaking) church did not add it. “I like it.” 1 Cor. 2:11; Jn. 4:24

ORGANIZATION Phil. 1:1; Acts 14:23; I Tim. 3:1-13 “These satellite churches will be part of the Oak Hills family…we will equip them with prayer, preparation, perhaps even a staff of two or three ministers and a healthy start-up gift. Our multi-site churches could stay linked together by viewing a video of the sermon from the ‘mother church.’ Many of these details will be sorted out by our Missions Department.”

Individual & Congregational Jesus did not empower the church to do what He did, Jn. 2:1-11; 6:5-13 His Covenant teaches a difference between individual and church action, 1 Tim. 5:9-16 Individuals may do any good work, Gal. 6:10-13; Eph. 4:28

Work of Congregation LOCAL Teaching- 1 Thess. 1:8; Heb. 10:24 Relieving- Acts 6:1-6; 1 Tim. 5:16 Other Areas Support Teachers- Phil. 4:15; 2 Cor. 11:8 Churches in need- Rom. 15:26-32; 2 Cor. 8:13-15

The Church’s Work is NOT Social meals (I Cor. 11:22,24) Recreation (I Tim. 4:8) Businesses (Jas. 4:13; Col. 3:17) Raise children, Lodge strangers, Wash feet, every Do good work (1 Tim. 5:10)

Which Church Should I Choose? Answer: Learn what God wants you to do, find a place where you can do it! Join up and join in!