Text: Rom.16:16

Intro. It is difficult to get people to discard traditionally-built-in-concepts, and to think purely in biblical terms, but this is what we must insist upon if we have a chance of saving people from sedition, divisions, and heresies. Most all heresies are not recognized as heresies by the followers. In fact, most all people believe that they have the truth. Most people are sincere, but wrong on any number of Biblical themes, and many of these are dangerous at best, and damning at worst. Supporting heresy is damning (Gal.5:19f). Therefore, we need to examine each church by it’s core beliefs. Anything that does not match the New Testament pattern is dangerous. We will define what we mean by the question that is the title of this lesson.

The Question Is Not:

What Is Everything That "CLAIMS" To Be A Church of Christ?

Some people claimed they were Jews, but were not real Jews to God (Rom.2:28f). Likewise, some people claim to be Christians, but are not such to God. And, likewise, there are whole churches that would claim to be a church of Christ, but their candlestick has been removed or never recognized by God.

What Is A Church of Christ Supposed To Be From A Biblical Standpoint?

What were these things that Paul mentioned in Rom.16:16 as "the churches of Christ"?

A. The Lord’s Assembly

B. His Followers Assembled

1. Assembled From Out of The World

2. Assembled In A Spiritual Domain

C. Two Types of Assembly

1. One UNIVERSAL Assembly

All the Saved of all ages assembled spiritually in Jesus’ body or kingdom

2. A LOCAL Collection or Assembly of Christians joined together for common purpose, worship and work. Examples: church at Corinth, Ephesus, Philippi, etc.

So, What is a Denomination?

A. Denomination: A Part Set Apart From A Whole

Characteristics:

1. Smaller, Separate Body From Jesus’ One Universal Body.

2. Larger Organization Than A Local Church

3. A Separated Collection of Churches

B. Does Not Contain All The Saved

C. Is A Larger Unit or Organization Than A Local Church. (A Unit That Contains Many Local Churches).

D. Different In Name and Organization Than The Biblical Church

E. The Church (Universally) Was Not Organized With Earthly Headquarters

1. No Popes. To add this new scale of organization is to create organized heresy.

2. No Cardinals. To add this new level of organization is to denominate from the apostles and prophets of Jesus Christ in the first century.

3. No Separate Priesthood (Every Christian Was/Is a Priest). 1 Pet.2

4. No Diocese - an organized band of churches in a human defined region.

5. No District Associations

6. No Confederation of Churches

7. No Conventions - organized by a specific group of churches for a group of churches.

8. No Society of Churches

A. Jesus Reigns From Heaven. Matt.28:18f; Eph.1:19

B. Jesus Speaks His Rule Through The Holy Spirit Revelations. Jno.14-17

C. The Holy Spirit Revealed Jesus’ Will Through Jesus’ Apostles & Prophets. Eph.2:19f

D. The Will of Christ Is Recognized As Preserved In The Bible. 2 Tim.3:15ff

A. The Bible Tells Us What Jesus Wants. Heb.9:15f

B. Local Disciples Can Understand The Will of God By Reading The Bible. Eph.3:3f; 5:17

C. The New Testament Expresses The Will of God For Us Today. Heb.9:15f

D. In The New Testament We Find Jesus’ Authority Expressed.

1. One cannot find His new kingdom authority expressed in the Old Testament.

2. One cannot pull from imagination the will of Jesus.

3. The only place to find it is in the New Testament.

4. Early churches listened to Spirit revealed messages, spoken, then written to find out what God expected.

A. Popes – This Was Invented Later By Man.

B. Church Synods – This too was invented later by man.

C. Church Conferences – this too was invented later by man.

A. Local Churches Simply Study The Word of God For Themselves.

B. Reading Leads To Understanding – Eph.3:3f

C. Understanding The Will of God Is Expected – Eph.5:17

D. A Higher Organization Does Not Decide It For Us.

A. Had Local Structure – Phil.1:1

B. Solved Local Problems – Acts 6; 1 Cor.5-6

C. Worshipped As Guided By God – 1 Cor.11-14

D. Worked As Guided By God – 1 Tim.3:15

Conclusion : A local church of Christ is a group of Christians who submit to the will of God without being a denomination. We can read the Bible to determine what a church of Christ was then (in the first century) and what it ought to be today. A Christian is in the one body by virtue of salvation. He finds, joins, and works with a local group of Christians by virtue of service to God and His people. Are you in or out of Christ? - Terry W. Benton