1. The Church Authority in Religion: Christ God’s Plan for Saving Man

2. Salvation and the Church Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. (Acts 2:38) …And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved. (Acts 2:47) For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body…(1 Cor. 12:13) For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. (Ephesians 5:23) Therefore I endure all things for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. (2 Timothy 2:10)

3. Some the Church Is Not… A material building (Acts 17:24; 5:11) – Body of saved believers – Church is a group of Christians A social club (Rom. 14:17) An entertainment provider (1 Cor. 11:22-34) A babysitter A secular education agency A denomination – it is not a part of anything as the term “denomination” implies.

4. The Church Planned by God (Eph. 3:10-11) Predicted in the Old Testament (Isa. 2:2-3; Dan. 2:44) Revealed in the New Testament (Acts 2:47) Built by Christ (Ps. 127:1; Matt. 16:18; 1 Cor. 3:11) Headed by Christ (Eph. 5:24; Matt. 28:18) Purchased by the blood of Christ (Acts 20:28; 1 Pet. 1:18-19) Owned by Christ (Rom. 16:16; Acts 11:26; Isa. 62:2; 1 Pet. 4:16)

5. The Church Independently Organized (Acts 14:23; Phil. 1:1; 1 Tim. 3; Tit. 1; 1 Pet. 1:1-3) Guided by the Bible (2 Tim. 3:16-17; 1 Pet. 4:11) Worships in Truth (Matt. 15:9; Jn. 4:24) Teaches the Lord’s Plan of Salvation – Hear (Rom. 10:17) – Believe (Mk. 16:15-16) – Repent (Lk. 13:3; Acts 17:30) – Confess (Matt. 10:32; Rom. 10:9) – Be Baptized (Acts 2:38; 22:16)

6. The Work of the Church Given by Christ – Preach the gospel (1 Thess. 1:8; Matt. 28:19-20) – Help needy saints (Rom. 15:25-26; 1 Tim. 5:16) – Edify Christians (Acts 20:32; Eph. 4:11-16) Church has no business providing for social or political affairs, entertainment or recreation. – These are things which belong to the home (1 Cor. 11:22-34)

7. Lord Established Only One Church But now indeed there are many members, yet one body. (1 Cor.12:20) There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling… (Eph. 4:4) And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence. (Col.1:18) Are You a Member of the Church that Jesus Built?