3. Lesson 1 - The Church: Its Significance Lesson 2 - The Church: Its Usage Lesson 3 - The Church: Its Sound Speech Lesson 4 - The Church: Its Establishment, Lesson 5 - The Church: Its Origin Then and Now Lesson 6 - The Church: Is It To Be Joined? Lesson 7 - The Church: A Good Man and the Church Lesson 8 - The Church: Its Identity Lesson 9 - The Church: Its Unity Lesson 10 - The Church: Is the Church Denominational? Lesson 11 - The Church: Its Organization Lesson 12 - The Church: Its Elders, Their Qualifications Lesson 13 -The Church: Its Elders, How They Are Made and Unmade Lesson 14 -The Church: Its Elders, Their Duties Lesson 15 -The Church: Its Deacons, Their Qualifications and Duties Lesson 16 -The Church: The Preacher, His Life and Duties Lesson 17 -The Church: The Preacher, General Discussion Lesson 18 - The Church: Its Discipline Lesson 19 - The Church: Its Finances Lesson 20 - The Church: Its Supper Lesson 21 - The Church: Its Music, Lesson 22 - The Church: Its Mission Lesson 23 - The Church: The Model Church

4. LESSON 3 The Church: Its Sound Speech The whole confusion that exists today regarding the church is due to the fact that all of the denominations around us are consuming many, by the way they talk. If we are going to make the church of The Lord unique, then we must only use sound speech. We are not going to convince others by talking the way the sectarians talk.

5.  IN CONFIDENCE/ DEFINITENESS 1.With rare exception, how do inspired writers speak of this institution? As “the church.” 1.Instead of saying “the church,” how did Jesus speak of it (Mt. 16:18)? 2.In respect to organization, the church is what (Col. 1:18)? 3.In respect to ownership, how is it spoken of (Col. 1:24)? 4.As to course, how was the church described (Acts 19:9, 23; 22:4)? Matthew 16:18 My And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. Colossians 1:18 the body 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. Colossian 1:24 of His body I now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ, for the sake of His body, which is the church, Acts 19:9 the Way But when some were hardened and did not believe, but spoke evil of the Way before the multitude, he departed from them and withdrew the disciples, reasoning daily in the school of Tyrannus. Acts 19:23 about the Way And about that time there arose a great commotion about the Way. Acts 19:23 about the Way And about that time there arose a great commotion about the Way. Acts 22:4 this Way I persecuted this Way to the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women, Acts 22:4 this Way I persecuted this Way to the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women,

6. IN REFERRING TO ITS MEMBERSHIP 1. In respect to faith, how were the members spoken of (Acts 4:32)? 2. As followers of Christ, what were they often called (Acts 9:25)? a. How many times in Acts was this term applied to church members? 30. b. They were disciples of whom (Acts 9:1)? c. Why were not the disciples called “The Disciples’ Church”? Acts 4:32 who believed Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul; neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common. Acts 9:25 the disciples Then the disciples took him by night and let him down through the wall in a large basket. Acts 9:1 of the Lord Then Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest

7. IN REFERRING TO ITS MEMBERSHIP 3.As to consecration, what were members called (Acts 9:13)? 4.As to definiteness of course, what were the members called (Acts 9:2)? 5.As to mutual relationship, how were they described (Acts 9:30; 12:17)? a.How often is this term applied to church members in Acts?30. b.If all were brethren, how were they related to God (Rom. 8:17)? Acts 9:13 to Your saints Then Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem. Acts 9:2 the Way and asked letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. Acts 9:30 brethren When the brethren found out, they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him out to Tarsus. Romans 8:17 children and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.

8. IN REFERRING TO ITS MEMBERSHIP 6.Under Christ as Master, what is each member (Acts 16:17)? 7. As a working unit, what is each member (Rom. 12:5)? 8. How did Ananias speak of church members (Acts 9:14)? 9. What is the preeminent name of each member (Acts 11:26)? a.What does “Christian” mean? b.In what name are all to suffer and glorify God (1 Pet. 4:16)? Acts 16:17 the servants This girl followed Paul and us, and cried out, saying, “These men are the servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to us the way of salvation.” Romans 12:5 and individually members of one another For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another Acts 9:14 call on Your name And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Your name.” Acts 11:26 called Christians And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for a whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many people. And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch. 1 Peter 4:16 as a Christian Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter.

9. IN REFERENCE TO GROWTH—ADDITIONS 1.What two things were said of those that received the word (Acts 2:41)? a.Who added them to the church (Acts 2:47)? b.Whom only does God add to the church (Acts 2:47)? Acts 2:41 baptized added Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. Acts 2:47 And the Lord added praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved. Acts 2:47 those who were being saved. praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.

10. IN REFERENCE TO GROWTH—ADDITIONS 2. How later was the growth of the church expressed (Acts 5:14)? 3. How was the great growth of members stated (Acts 6:1)? 4. Later what was increased? What was multiplied (Acts 6:7)? 5. What was said of the work of Barnabas (Acts 11:24)? 6. How else was the matter stated (Acts 12:24)? Acts 5:14 increasingly And believers were increasingly added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women, Acts 6:1 was multiplying Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a complaint against the Hebrews by the Hellenists, because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution. Acts 6:7 number of the disciples Then the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith. Acts 11:24 And a great many people were added to the Lord For he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord. Acts 12:24 grew and multiplied. But the word of God grew and multiplied.

11. IN SPEAKING OF CONVERSION 1. How was conversion of priests spoken of (Acts 6:7)? 2. How was the conversion of the Samaritans described (Acts 8:12)? a. What report came to the apostles about this (Acts 8:14)? b. How did the Bereans receive the word (Acts 17:11)? Acts 6:7 were obedient to the faith. Then the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith. Acts 8:12 preached the things concerning the kingdom of God But when they believed Philip as he preached the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized. Acts 8:14 had received the word of God Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them, Acts 17:11 with all readiness These were more fair- minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.

12. IN SPEAKING OF CONVERSION 3.What clause describes the conversion of those of Lydda and Sharon (Acts 9:35)? 4. How was the conversion of a “great number” featured (Acts 11:21)? a. What did all the Gentiles do, in conversion (Acts 26:17,18)? b. What did the Thessalonians do (1 Thess. 1:9)? 5. How was the conversion of the Corinthians set forth (Acts 18:8)? Acts 9:35 turned to the Lord So all who dwelt at Lydda and Sharon saw him and turned to the Lord. Acts 11:21 turned to the Lord. And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number believed and turned to the Lord. Acts 26:17-18 to turn them from darkness to light I will deliver you from the Jewish people, as well as from the Gentiles, to whom I now send you, to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.’ 1 Thessalonians 1:9 and how you turned to God from idols For they themselves declare concerning us what manner of entry we had to you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, Acts 18:8 hearing, believed and were baptized. Then Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his household. And many of the Corinthians, hearing, believed and were baptized.

13. *IN FULLNESS OF PREACHING 1.What were the disciples ordered to preach (Acts 5:20)? 2.What did the scattered church do (Acts 8:4,5)? 3.What did Philip preach (Acts 8:35)? 4.What did Saul preach (Acts 9:20)? 5.What did Paul preach at Lystra and Derbe (Acts 14:7)? 6.What did Paul say he had declared (Acts 20:27)? Acts 5:20 all the words of this life.” “Go, stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this life.” Acts 8:4-5 preaching the word Therefore those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word. Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria and preached Christ to them. Acts 8:35 preached Jesus to him. Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning at this Scripture, preached Jesus to him. Acts 9:20 he preached the Christ Immediately he preached the Christ in the synagogues, that He is the Son of God. Acts 14:7 the gospel there And they were preaching the gospel there. Acts 20:27 the whole counsel of God For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God.

14. LESSON 3 The Church: Its Sound Speech It is for this and many more reasons that we “speak where the Bible speak, and are silent where the Bible is silent” Thank be to God, for making us partakers of this beautiful “sound Speech” that can be understood when we study His Word with out any pre- conceive ideas.