WE WOULD LIKE FOR YOU TO BECOME ACQUAINTED WITH THE CHURCH OF CHRIST

1. We have no human creed to hand you or earthly headquarters to send you to for information.

   1. Plea: back to the Bible.

   2. Acts 20:32, II Tim. 3:16,17; I Pet. 4:11

2. Some people are offended by the truth.

   1. Matt. 11:6

   2. John 6:66; 8:40

   3. Acts 17:11

   4. I have no desire to be offensive. I just ask for a hearing.

QUESTIONS I HAVE BEEN ASKED ABOUT THE CHUCH:

1. "Did Alexander Campbell start the church of Christ?

   1. There is no doctrine taught by us that is peculiar to him. Everything taught before him.

   2. Campbell born 1830 years after Romans 16:16.

   3. Rocky Springs, in Bridgeport, AL dates back to 1806.

   4. Acts 2:47

2. "Why is the church of Christ not a denomination?"

   1. No denominational: Name, founder, creed or organization

   2. Denomination: Larger than local - smaller than the whole church - unknown in the Bible.

   3. NT church is not a product of a reformation or restoration.

   4. Members are added – Acts 2:47 The Lord added to the church

3. "Do you believe you have to be a member of the church of Christ to be saved?"

   1. We agree the church cannot save you. (Wrong function)

   2. Would not want to be a member of an unnecessary church

   3. Acts 2:47 How many saved outside of it?

4. "Do you teach you must be baptized to be saved?"

   1. Diagram Mark 16:16

   2. "What about John 3:16

   3. THE ARGUMENT: a) "All things not included in John 3:16 are unnecessary for Salvation. b) Baptism is not in John 3:16. c) Therefore, baptism is unnecessary for salvation.

   4. (Replace "Baptism) with REPENTANCE, SINNER'S PRAYER)

   5. When baptism and salvation are mentioned together salvation is never placed before baptism

   6. Unbelievers try to negate a thing by citing passages that say nothing about it. Acts 16:31

5. "What do members of the churches of Christ call themselves?"

   1. We are Christians only.

   2. Acts 11:26

   3. Isa. 62:1,2

   4. Acts 26:28

   5. I Pet. 4:16
      
      
      (PM sermon)

6. "Why do the preachers not use "Reverend of Pastor?"

   1. Matt. 23:9

   2. Gospel Preachers: II Tim. 4:2

   3. Bishop, elder, pastor: I Tim. 3 Titus 1.

   4. Peter refused worship of Cornelius; Paul and Barnabas refused worship as gods.

7. "Why do you not have music in the church?"

   1. Bible does not authorize it.

   2. The Lord did not command it.

   3. No Apostle ever endorsed it.

   4. No N.T. church ever used it.

   5. Eph. 5:19

   6. Col. 3:16

8. "Why do you have communion every Sunday?"

   1. Acts 11:25 As often as you eat this bread and drink this cup -

   2. Acts 20:7 On the first day of the week

   3. Exodus 20:8 Remember the Sabbath day

      1. When a thing is commanded on a day of the year it is done every year on that date.

      2. When a thing is commanded on a day of a month it is done every month on that date.

      3. When a thing is commanded on a day of the week it is done every week on that day.

9. "Do you believe you are the only ones going to heaven?"

   1. Every church believes it or they would not contend for their name, church, doctrines, creeds.

   2. Some state it outright: Catholics, Jehovah's Witnesses, but they are never charged with believing it.

   3. There is only one church revealed on the pages of the Bible, and if I did not believe I was a member of it I would not rest until I was.

   4. Do you believe Hindus, Muslims, and Buddhists will be in heaven?

   5. John 14:6 – No man comes to the Father but by Me.

10. "How would a person become a member of the church of Christ?"

    1. He must be born into it.

    2. John 3:3-5

    3. Titus 3:5

    4. Acts 2:37

    5. Acts 2:38