Church Signs and Lampstands

Church Signs and Lampstands

part 1

What am I?

• You are part of the Lord’s Church

• What is the Lord’s Church?

–A Universal Body of Individuals saved by Jesus Christ

– The Lord adds the saved to this Church (Acts 2:47)

–A Church that Jesus gave Himself for (Eph. 5:25)

–A Church that He built (Matt 16:18)

What if I am a member of the Church of Christ at Gardendale?

• You are a member of a local congregation of disciples of Jesus Christ

• Biblical Examples of Local Congregations

–Rev 1: 11

Why “Church of Christ”?

• It is exactly what we are!

• The Bible uses that phrase to describe local churches. – Romans 16:16 “The churches of Christ greet you.”

• The original group here decided that this would be a good name

We are Not part of a DenominationEarly Christian Church

We are Not part of a Denomination

• We receive our instruction directly from the Word of God (Eph. 3:5)– No Creed, Convention, Holy Office,

• We have elders among us that Oversee this flock (1 Pet. 5:1-4)

– They work underneath the Chief Shepherd

We are Not part of a Denomination

• We have no authority over or under any other “church of Christ” or local church

– Only the Lord has that Authority

– I can recognize another churches as being a local congregation of the saved

• Who should be in charge of the local Church?

– Well Who was Crucified for you?

Common Myths

• Founded by Alexander Campbell

• Florida College is our “Seminary” School

• All the congregations with “Church of Christ” on their signs make up the universal body of Christ