1. “Why are you a member of the church of Christ?”
If you were to be asked:
“Why are you a member of the church of Christ?”
Material taken from tract by Roy Cogdill found
How would you answer?

2. Millions Never Stop To Question Their Religious Position
An honest person must know what he is trying to be and why
To continue in a religion that you know believes and
practices error, is to be dishonest

3. Answers are Varied Large membership Small church Popular church
Good people in it
Close to where I live
Raised in the church
Married a member of church
If these are
legitimate reasons
We should join
every church in town

4. One should not be a member of a church without knowing & believing
what that church stands for
Baptist
Immersion
Methodist
Sprinkling
Transfer – Change to

5. The Basis For Any Religious Affiliation
Conviction
The Basis For Any Religious Affiliation
Only One Acceptable Basis For Conviction
Conviction
“Faith comes by hearing…hearing by the word of God”
(Rom. 10:17)

6. Early disciples died in the Arena – Rather than deny their faith
1 Peter 3:15
“But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear.”
Early disciples died in the Arena – Rather than deny their faith
Can you give Biblical reason for your faith, practice and work?
Can answer “Why?”
Polycarp

7. Why I Am a Member
of the Church of Christ

8. of the Church of Christ Why I Am a Member
It is built upon the foundation of the eternal truth: Jesus is the Son of God
of the Church of Christ
Why I Am a Member

9. It is built upon the foundation of the eternal truth: Jesus is the Son of God
The church of Christ is founded upon no individual
Lutheranism – built upon Martin Luther
Christian Science – built upon Mary Baker Eddy
Adventism – built upon Ellen G. White
Mormonism – built upon Joseph Smith
Presbyterianism – built upon John Calvin
Likewise, every denomination – built upon some individual, theory or doctrine

10. It is built upon the foundation of the eternal truth: Jesus is the Son of God
The church of Christ is founded upon no individual
The church of Christ is built upon the rock
Matt. 16:18 – “upon this rock I will build my church”
Rock = truth that Peter confessed: Jesus is the Son of God
1 Cor. 3:11 – no other foundation laid…but Jesus Christ
That means: foundation is Divine!

11. It is built upon the foundation of the eternal truth: Jesus is the Son of God
The church of Christ is founded upon no individual
The church of Christ is built upon the rock
Your religion is no better than the foundation on which you stand
If all you believe & practice comes from Christ – then you are standing on solid ground
If anything you believe or practice comes from any other source – you are on wrong foundation

12. It Recognizes Christ as the only head & only source of authority
It is built upon the foundation of the eternal truth: Jesus is the Son of God
It Recognizes Christ as the only head & only source of authority
of the Church of Christ
Why I Am a Member

13. It Recognizes Christ as the only head & only source of authority
Members of the church of Christ accept the authority of Christ as complete & believe that excludes all other sources of authority
Matt. 28:18 – all authority given to Christ
Eph. 1:22-23 – Christ is head over all things

14. It Recognizes Christ as the only head & only source of authority
Members of the church of Christ accept the authority of Christ as complete & believe that excludes all other sources of authority
Means: no one else has any authority over the church at all
Catholics – Pope is the head (gives divine edicts)
Protestants – Councils, Conventions, Synods, etc.
Christ having ALL authority excludes all else

15. It Recognizes Christ as the only head & only source of authority
Members of the church of Christ accept the authority of Christ as complete & believe that excludes all other sources of authority
Means: no one else has any authority over the church at all
Difference in DIVINE & HUMAN authority
Matt. 21:25 – from heaven or men?
Matt. 15:6-9 – word of God – vs- commandments of men
Question: is the thing you believe & practice taught by heaven or men?

16. It Recognizes Christ as the only head & only source of authority
Members of the church of Christ accept the authority of Christ as complete & believe that excludes all other sources of authority
Means: no one else has any authority over the church at all
Difference in DIVINE & HUMAN authority
Members of the church of Christ do not seek to use OT as authority
Gal. 5:4 – To do so is to fall from grace
Gal. 3:24-25 – No longer under the law

17. of the Church of Christ Why I Am a Member
It is built upon the foundation of the eternal truth: Jesus is the Son of God
It Recognizes Christ as the only head & only source of authority
It Gives Jesus Christ the preeminence in all things
of the Church of Christ
Why I Am a Member

18. It Gives Jesus Christ the preeminence in all things
Christ is preeminent in all things
Col. 1:18 – this is the will of God
Preeminence means – should exalt CHRIST!
Every doctrine he taught – held the same
Thus, should not exalt one doctrine above another (Jas. 2:10)

19. It Gives Jesus Christ the preeminence in all things
Christ is preeminent in all things
Men exalt one doctrine / command above another
Baptist – action of baptism
Methodist – “method”
Presbyterians – the presbytery
Catholics – universal nature of the church
When hold to one doctrine – reject another….

20. of the Church of Christ Why I Am a Member
It is built upon the foundation of the eternal truth: Jesus is the Son of God
It Recognizes Christ as the only head & only source of authority
It Gives Jesus Christ the preeminence in all things
of the Church of Christ
Why I Am a Member
It is built after the divine pattern in organization

21. It is built after the divine pattern in organization
Christ is the only head of the church
Col. 1:18
Eph. 1:22-23; 5:23
No other organization

22. It is built after the divine pattern in organization
Christ is the only head of the church
Local church has organization
Church at Philippi has elders and deacon (Phil. 1:1)
Elders in every church (Acts 14:23)
Elders are overseers (Acts 20:28; also pastors, bishops)
Preachers – not pastors
Deacons – special servants (Phil. 1:1; 1 Tim. 3:8-13)

23. of the Church of Christ Why I Am a Member
It is built upon the foundation of the eternal truth: Jesus is the Son of God
It Recognizes Christ as the only head & only source of authority
It Gives Jesus Christ the preeminence in all things
of the Church of Christ
Why I Am a Member
It is built after the divine pattern in organization
It accepts the gospel of Christ as its only creed

24. It accepts the gospel of Christ as its only creed
Creed: what one believes (“credo” – Latin: “I believe”)
Only creed is the New Testament
2 Pet. 1:3
2 Tim. 3:16-17

25. It accepts the gospel of Christ as its only creed
Creed: what one believes (“credo” – Latin: “I believe”)
Only creed is the New Testament
Creed must be recognized to be of that religion
Baptist – Baptist Church Manual
Methodist – Methodist Discipline
Presbyterian –Confession of Faith

26. It accepts the gospel of Christ as its only creed
Creed: what one believes (“credo” – Latin: “I believe”)
Only creed is the New Testament
Creed must be recognized to be of that religion
What is wrong with human creeds?
Written by men (Jer. 10:23)
Don’t meet man’s needs (constant revision; Rev. 22:18-19)
Contradict each other – thus all can’t be right
Contradicts the Bible (cf. 1 Jno. 4:1, 6)
If says more than Bible – too much!
If says less than Bible – not enough!
If says same as Bible – don’t need it!

27. of the Church of Christ Why I Am a Member
It is built upon the foundation of the eternal truth: Jesus is the Son of God
It Recognizes Christ as the only head & only source of authority
It Gives Jesus Christ the preeminence in all things
of the Church of Christ
Why I Am a Member
It is built after the divine pattern in organization
It accepts the gospel of Christ as its only creed
It does not employ any human innovations in worship

28. It does not employ any human innovations in worship
The church of Christ seeks to worship only as Christ authorized
Worship must be in spirit & truth (John 4:24)
Ignorant worship – not acceptable (Acts 17:23)
Will worship – not acceptable (Col. 2:23)
Worship is toward God (thus, he is to be pleased – not man)

29. It does not employ any human innovations in worship
The church of Christ seeks to worship only as Christ authorized
Pattern of worship in NT
Sing (Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16)
Pray (Acts 2:42)
Study of word (Acts 20:7)
Lord’s Supper (Acts 20:7)
Giving (1 Cor. 16:1-2)

30. It does not employ any human innovations in worship
The church of Christ seeks to worship only as Christ authorized
Pattern of worship in NT
Often , efforts to worship – guided by desires of men
Instrumental music (found in most churches)
Entertainment
Candle light communion
Wearing of religious robes
Observance of special days (Christmas, Easter, etc.)

31. of the Church of Christ Why I Am a Member
It is built upon the foundation of the eternal truth: Jesus is the Son of God
It Recognizes Christ as the only head & only source of authority
It Gives Jesus Christ the preeminence in all things
of the Church of Christ
Why I Am a Member
It is built after the divine pattern in organization
It accepts the gospel of Christ as its only creed
It does not employ any human innovations in worship