2. The One True Church of the Bible By Willie Alvarenga www.willie75.wordpress.com Willie.alvarenga@browntrailschoolofpreaching.com

3. Is there one true church in existence today? Is there one true church in existence today? Can we really know whether there is one true church? Can we really know whether there is one true church? Can we really know whether we are members of the one true church? Can we really know whether we are members of the one true church? Are you a member of the one true church of the Bible? Are you a member of the one true church of the Bible?

4. An Overview of Today’s Lesson

5. A call to search the Scriptures A call to search the Scriptures The Importance of our topic The Importance of our topic Our present condition Our present condition How to identify the one true church of the Bible How to identify the one true church of the Bible

6. A call to study the Bible

7. Acts 17:11 I Thessalonians 5:21 I John 4:1

8. The importance of our subject

10. It’s a Bible subject It’s a Bible subject It’s a life and death subject It’s a life and death subject It’s a subject related to Jesus It’s a subject related to Jesus It’s a subject people need to know about It’s a subject people need to know about Many are teaching false doctrine on this subject Many are teaching false doctrine on this subject

11. Our presente condition

12. There are about 1,500 organized religions in America today. Others have suggested that there are 30,000 denominations in the world

13. There is so much confusion and religious division in the world that people are confused about what to believe

14. 3 Erroneous concepts about the church

19. How to identify the one true church of the Bible

21. John 7:17 John 7:17 John 8:32 John 8:32 Eph. 3:4 Eph. 3:4 Eph. 5:17 Eph. 5:17

23. What would you do if your child was missing?

24. Call police Call police Provide physical descriptions (e.g. hair color, color of her eyes, stature, clothes she was wearing, etc. Provide physical descriptions (e.g. hair color, color of her eyes, stature, clothes she was wearing, etc. Police might be able to find her with these descriptions Police might be able to find her with these descriptions

25. The Bible provides several descriptions that can help us to find the one true church of the Bible

27. Name Name Founder Founder Worship Worship Organization Organization Authority Authority How to be a member How to be a member

28. Church of Christ (Romanos 16:16) Church of God (1 Corintios 1:2) The Body of Christ (Colosenses 1:24) The House of God (1 Timoteo 3:15)

29. The names of which we hear today do not find their origin in the pages of the New Testament. These are human names which find no authority within the Scriptures.

30. Many argue that the name by which the church is identified is not important

32. Would you name your new born baby, “Judas Iscariot”, or perhaps, “Ahab”?

33. The name by which the church is known is very important to God, and it should be to all of us!

34. Matthew 16:18 “My church” Matthew 16:18 “My church” Romans 16:16 “Churches of Christ” Romans 16:16 “Churches of Christ” Ephesians 1:22-23 “Christ is the head of the church” Ephesians 1:22-23 “Christ is the head of the church” Acts 20:28 Christ shed His blood for the church Acts 20:28 Christ shed His blood for the church

39. Singing without the use of instruments (Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16) Lord supper every Sunday (Acts 2:42; 20:7) Contribution on Sundays (I Corinthians 16:1-2) Prayer (Acts 2:42; 1 Thess. 5:17) Preaching of the Word (2 Timothy 4:2) Authorized acts of worship

41. The inspired Word of God is our only authority to follow (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21; Col. 3:17; 1 Peter 4:11) The inspired Word of God is our only authority to follow (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21; Col. 3:17; 1 Peter 4:11)

44. Christ is the head, not man (Ephesians 1:22-23) Plurality of elders (Acts 14:23; Philippians 1:1; 1 Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:5) Deacons (1 Timothy 3:8-13; Philippians 1:1) Evangelists, ministers, preachers (Efesios 4:11; 2 Timothy 4:5) Members, Christians (Acts 11:26; 26:28; 1 Peter 4:16)

47. Isaiah 2:1-4 Isaiah 2:1-4 Acts 2:1-4 Acts 2:1-4 Mark 9:1 Mark 9:1 Acts 1:8 Acts 1:8 Acts 2:1-47 Acts 2:1-47

48. What can a person do to be part of the New Testament church?

49. People must do exactly what the early Christians did to be saved and to be part of the New Testament church

50. Consider Acts 2:22-47

52. What is the destiny of those churches that do not belong to God?

53. Matthew 15:13 Matthew 15:13 Psalm 127:1 Psalm 127:1 Matthew 15:7-9 Matthew 15:7-9 Matthew 7:21-23 Matthew 7:21-23

54.  John 14:1-3  Philippians 3:20  2 Corinthians 5:1-2  1 Thessalonians 4:16-18