1. Lesson 8

2. 1. The word “church” means “called out.” 2. The Holy Christian Church is all the people who have been called out of darkness in God’s wonderful light (all believers everywhere.)

3. 3. We become a part of the Church when the Holy Spirit gives us a new birth through God’s Word and the Sacraments. 4. The Cornerstone of the church is Jesus. All who believe in Him are living stones built on the Cornerstone.

4. 1. It is a gathering, or assembly, of people around God’s Word and Sacraments. 2. The difference between the Holy Christian Church and a Christian congregation: In a Christian congregation there may also be hypocrites (pretend believers).

5. 3. One important purpose for Christian congregations: to keep us growing in our Christian faith and life through the Word of God. 4. God’s will for Christians: that we assemble together in congregations to hear the Word, to strengthen each other, and become equipped to spread the Word to others.

6. 1. Jesus wants Christians to be one as He and His Father are one, that is, perfectly agreed on all things. 2. Jesus wants Christians to remain faithful to His Word in all its parts. We should belong to an evangelical (Gospel-Centered), orthodox (correct teaching) church.

7. 3. We should not unite with, but keep away from, teachers, churches, and organizations that go against the teachings of any part of God’s Word.

8. Christians should be faithful to the Word, and not be involved in adding to it, subtracting from it, or changing it in any way. Every denial of the Word denies Jesus, since it is His Word we are denying.