Misconceptions About The Church

1. Misconceptions About The Church

2. Acts 28:22 22 But we desire to hear from you what you think; for concerning this sect, we know that it is spoken against everywhere.”

3. Misconceptions About The Church • Not necessary to be a member to be saved.

4. You must be a member of the Lord’s church to be saved. Acts 2:47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved. Ephesians 5:23 For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. Colossians 1:18 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.

5. You must be a member of the Lord’s church to be saved. Ephesians 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, Colossians 1:14 in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins. 2 Timothy 2:10 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.

6. Misconceptions About The Church • Not necessary to be a member to be saved. • The Lord’s church is a denomination.

7. Justification for division? John 15:1-6  1 “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned.

8. Sectarianism is sinful. 1 Corinthians 1:10 Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. 1 Corinthians 2:12-13 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God. 13 These things we also speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual. 1 Corinthians 3:1-4 Romans 8:6 For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

9. There is only 1 church that belongs to Christ. Matthew 16:18 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. Ephesians 1:22-23 And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, 23 which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all. Ephesians 4:There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

10. The Lord’s church is recognizable because: • It wears the right name. (Acts 4:12) • Holds the right doctrine. (John 8:31, 2 John 9) • Is organized scripturally. (Col. 1:18, Acts 14:23, 1 Peter 5:2, Acts 6:1-7, 1 Peter 2:5) • Does scriptural work. (Colossians 3:17) • Worships in spirit and truth. (John 4:24) • Has right terms of entrance. (Matthew 7:21) • Founded at the right time and place.

11. Founded at the right time and place by the right founder. • The Lord’s church was established about 33 A.D. in Jerusalem. • Rome, 312 A.D. – Catholic Church • Germany, ~ 1524 A.D. – Baptist Church • Geneva, 1541 A.D. – Presbyterian Church • England, 1534 A.D. – Church of England (Episcopal) • Great Britain, 1729 A.D. - Methodists

12. Misconceptions About The Church • Not necessary to be a member to be saved. • The Lord’s church is a denomination. • The church of Christ is a cult.

13. What is a cult? Dictionary.com • a religion or sect considered to be false, unorthodox, or extremist, with members often living outside of conventional society under the direction of a charismatic leader. • Brainwashed • Not allowed to question authority • Not allowed to leave the group • Charismatic leader • Nutty beliefs

14. What is a cult? http://www.allaboutcults.org/Religious-Cults.htm Religious Cults: The Christian Perspective Christians define religious cults from a different perspective. Simply, a cult is any religious group that deviates from the fundamental teachings of the historic, Bible-based, Christian faith as confirmed through the ancient ecumenical creeds. Generally, if a religious organization follows Jesus Christ, but denies or distorts essential Christian doctrines such as the Trinity, the resurrection, or salvation by grace alone, that organization is considered a cult. Traditional examples are the Mormons, Jehovah's Witnesses, Christian Science, the Unity School of Christianity, and the Way International. All of these groups add to the simple gospel of Jesus Christ. In addition, some add to the Bible, such as Mormonism's The Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, and The Pearl of Great Price. Similarly, Christian Science has added Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures. The Jehovah's Witnesses have actually changed the text of the Bible to make it fit their version of doctrine.

15. What is a cult? http://www.allaboutcults.org/Religious-Cults.htm Religious cults add their own rules, rituals and ceremonies -- their own works of righteousness to the finished work of Jesus on the cross. These organizations officially state that Jesus' sacrifice is sufficient for salvation, but then they go on to say that their version of "works" must be added to the simplicity of His grace in order to warrant true salvation. These groups will often use James 2:26 ("faith without works is dead") to establish that works are part of salvation. Although it is true that faith without works is dead, it isn't the works that save us. Works are merely the result of a truly changed life through a saving faith in Jesus. A true Christian does good works because he has received the free gift of salvation, not to get salvation. http://www.allaboutcults.org/ We have all sinned and deserve God's judgment. God, the Father, sent His only Son to satisfy that judgment for those who believe in Him. Jesus, the creator and eternal Son of God, who lived a sinless life, loves us so much that He died for our sins, taking the punishment that we deserve, was buried, and rose from the dead according to the Bible. If you truly believe and trust this in your heart, receiving Jesus alone as your Savior, declaring, "Jesus is Lord," you will be saved from judgment and spend eternity with God in heaven.

16. Why do they call us a cult? Acts 28:22 But we desire to hear from you what you think; for concerning this sect, we know that it is spoken against everywhere.” • Prejudice • Ignorance • To try to avoid losing arguments

17. Misconceptions About The Church • Not necessary to be a member to be saved. • The Lord’s church is a denomination. • The church of Christ is a cult. To be continued...

18. Be Saved Today! • Believe – John 8:24 • Repent – Luke 13:3 • Confess – Romans 10:10 • Be Baptized – Mark 16:16 • Be Faithful – Revelation 2:10