“if any man be in christ…” 2 corinthians 5:14-17

“If Any Man Be In Christ…”2 Corinthians 5:14-17

“If” – We have a choice!

Mt. 11:28; Rom. 6:16-18; Rev. 22:17

“Any Man” -- The gospel is for all.

Gen. 12:3 Great Commission: Mt. 28:19; Mk.

16:15ff; Lk. 24:47;

Who may call… Acts 2:21; Rom. 10:11-13

Calling on the Lord demands obedience. Acts 22:16 ; Mt. 7:21ff; Lk. 6:46

Jews had a hard time accepting this. Acts 10:34-35; 11:12; 15:7-9; Gal. 2:11-12

“Be In Christ” --All spiritual blessings… Eph.

1:3 Salvation. 2 Tim. 2:10 Freedom from condemnation. Rom.

8:1 Redemption / Forgiveness. Eph. 1:7 Eternal life. 1 Jno. 5:11 “Blessed are the dead” Rev. 14:13

5

Baptism Puts One Into Christ (Gal. 3:26-27) “For as many of you as were baptized

into Christ have put on Christ.” cf. Rom. 6:3-4

Baptism Puts One Into The Body Of Christ. (1 Cor 12:13) “For in one Spirit were we all

baptized into one body” One Body. Eph. 4:4 Body = Church, Therefore, One

Church. Eph. 1:22-23

Christ Adds To The Church

(Singular) 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.” (NKJV)

“Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them” (2:41)

“There is ONE body”(Eph. 4:4)

Body = church (Eph. 1:22-23)

Baptized into ONE body(1 Cor. 12:13)

Thus: Saved Added ToONE CHURCH

Acts 2:47

8

Denominations Illustrated

• Catholic• Lutheran• Baptist• Methodist• 7th Day Adventist• Morman• Jehovah’s Witness

SO:

Invisible Church

Church = Singular in number

The Lord’s Church Is Not A Denomination

“And I also say to thee, that thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.” Mt. 16:18

It = Singular in number

10

Denominationalism is wrongDenominationalism is wrong BaptistMethodist

Catholic

Churchof GodNazarene

Lutheran

I. Jesus built Only One Church (Mt. 16:18)

II. Jesus is the Savior of One body. (Eph.

5:23)

III.Jesus prayed for unity. (Jno. 17:20)

IV. Division Is Wrong (1 Cor. 1:10)

V. Paul taught the same thing everywhere.

(1 Cor. 4:17)

“He Is A New Creature” Occasion to rejoice. –Acts 2:46;

8:8, 39; 16:34; Phil. 4:4

Presence of the Lord occasion to rejoice. “Lo I am with you always.” Mt. 28:20“… I will in no wise fail thee, neither will I in any wise forsake thee.” Heb. 13:5

“Old things … passed away…

all things new” New Covenant. Heb. 8:7ff New Birth – Jno. 3:3; 1 Pet. 1:22-23 New Name – Isa. 62:2; Acts 11:26;

26:28; 1 Pet. 4:16

New Life – Gal. 2:20 Different life – Eph. 4:22-24; Col. 3:5-10 Renewed mind – Eph. 4:23

The New Creature Has The Prospect Of A New Home…

Note: Abraham. Heb. 11:8-10, 16 Paul. 2 Cor. 4:16-5:1; 2 Tim. 4:6-8;

18Peter. 1 Pet. 1:4