1. What if I asked you…
1. What part of the Bible do you believe is inspired?
2. What portion of Christ’s life do you believe actually happened?
3. What part of Christ’s church do you belong to?

2. You would rightly answer…
1. We must take “the whole counsel of God” (Acts 20:27; Ps. 119:160).
2. We cannot pick and choose what portions of Christ’s life to accept (2 John 9).
3. Nor is Christ’s church something we can divide into sections according to our preferences (Eph. 4:4; Lk. 11:17).

3. IDENTIFYING THE LORD’S CHURCH
I. SCRIPTURAL NAME
A. “My church” (Mt. 16:18).
B. “Churches of Christ” (Rom. 16:16).
C. “Church of God” (1 Cor. 1:2).
D. “No other name given among men…” (Acts 4:12).
If we cannot find other names in the NT, where did they come from? Heaven or men?

4. IDENTIFYING THE LORD’S CHURCH
II. SCRIPTURAL ORGANIZATION
A. “All authority” (Mt. 28:18).
B. “Head of the church” (Eph. 1:22-23; 5:23).
C. Only earthly organization is local churches led by elders and deacons:
1. Elders in every church (Acts 14:23).
2. Limited to “among you” (1 Pet. 5:2-3).
3. Lead by God’s word (Acts 20:32).

5. IDENTIFYING THE LORD’S CHURCH
III. SCRIPTURAL WORSHIP (John 4:24)
A. Study God’s Word (Acts 20:7; 2:42).
B. Memorial of Lord’s Death (Acts 20:7; 2:42; 1 Cor. 11:18-34).
C. Contribution “for the saints”
(1 Cor. 16:1-3; Phil. 4:14-16).
D. Prayer (Acts 2:42; 12:5).
E. Singing (Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16).
Can you find the worship you offer to God in the NT? If not, is it from Heaven or men?

6. IDENTIFYING THE LORD’S CHURCH
IV. SCRIPTURAL WORK
A. Teach Truth (1 Tim. 3:15).
1. Preach to the lost (Phil. 4:14-16).
2. Edify saints (Eph. 4:15-16).
B. Limited Benevolence To Saints (Acts 11:27-30; 1 Cor. 16:1-3; 1 Tim. 5:16).
Does the church you are a part of have the same mission as Christ’s church?
Or is it focused on social events, entertainment, or politics?

7. IDENTIFYING THE LORD’S CHURCH
V. SCRIPTURAL TERMS OF ENTRANCE
A. Hear (Acts 10:33; 11:14).
B. Believe in Jesus (Acts 10:43).
C. Repent (Acts 2:38; 17:30; 26:20).
D. Confess (Rom. 10:9-10).
E. Immersion (Acts 2:38; 10:47-48).
F. Live faithfully (Heb. 10:26-31).
Can you find the plan of salvation you followed in the NT? If not, is it from Heaven or men?