WHAT IS THE CHURCH?
Before you become a Christian, there are some basic things you should know about the church. Try to forget what you may have heard or seen in the past and just let God’s Word describe the church to you.
Colossians 1:17-18. The church is Jesus’ body. One cannot say, “Jesus, yes. The church, no.” The two go together.
Ephesians 2:19. The church is God’s family. When you become God’s son/daughter, you become a brother/sister of everyone else in His family.
1 Corinthians 12:12-13. When you are baptized into Christ, you will also be baptized into His body, the church.
HOW TO RECOGNIZE THE CHURCH
The passage you just read says there is “one body [church].” There are hundreds of denominations, each with their own teaching, but the Bible says there is only one true church. The confusion in the religious world is man’s doing, not God’s.
Matthew 16:16-18.
1. Jesus built the church.
2. It belongs to Him.
3. He only built one church.
4. The rest are not His.
Ephesians 2:19-21. The church is not a building. The church is people. Paul illustrates the church as a building so we can understand its structure. This is how you identify the church.
RELIGIONS AND DENOMINATIONS
If the Bible is the foundation of the church, then its consistent teaching will be all that is taught in the church {1 Corinthians 4:17; 7:17; 11:16}. This makes the body of Christ distinct. By learning the pattern of the church in the Bible, you can pick it out among hundreds of false religions.
John 14:6; Acts 4:12. Jesus claimed to be “the way,” not one of the ways. Other false leaders are the wrong way.
1 Corinthians 1:10-13. God’s Word speaks against denominating.
De – Latin for “of” or “from.” Nomen – Latin for “name.”
De–nomin-ation is a group of people who divide or separate themselves by a certain name.
Those claiming to be Christians are separated by names and the traditions attached to each name. The name of Christ is the name that unites. Why does division occur?
2 Timothy 4:3-4.
Read Romans 16:17-18; Galatians 1:8-9; 2 Peter 2:1-3. When you become a Christian, will you be able to keep attending a church where false doctrines are being taught? Where should your allegiance be?
1 Corinthians 12:14-31. Christians can depend on each other. We work together helping one another.
Romans 12:4-5. We belong to each other. Do not become a “Lone Ranger for Jesus.” Stay close to the family.
Hebrews 10:24-25. After you are saved, do you think Satan will want you to go to church regularly? Set your mind now on being faithful to the assembly. You need the encouragement of brothers and sisters {Hebrews 3:12-13}.
Checotah Church of Christ 