should the university church of christ exist?. it is important to see clearly where jesus expects us...

Should the University Should the University church of Christ Exist?church of Christ Exist?

It is important to see clearly where Jesus It is important to see clearly where Jesus expects us to stand.expects us to stand.

• When one examines the evidence for When one examines the evidence for Jesus Christ and the Bible, he seesJesus Christ and the Bible, he seesGod’s plan to clearly communicate to men God’s plan to clearly communicate to men the path to God. the path to God. (Jn 8:31-32)(Jn 8:31-32)


• John 8:31-32John 8:31-32 - Then Jesus said to those - Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, "Jews who believed Him, "If you abide in If you abide in My wordMy word, you are My disciples indeed. 32 , you are My disciples indeed. 32 "And you shall know the truth, and the "And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."truth shall make you free."


• Why did God reveal Jesus the way He did?Why did God reveal Jesus the way He did?• His plan was for men to be humble and dug His plan was for men to be humble and dug

deep for the truth.deep for the truth.• Men of necessity had to learn to discern, Men of necessity had to learn to discern,

reason and deal with relationships that reason and deal with relationships that challenged men to different paths.challenged men to different paths.

• The religious bodies of the day all were in The religious bodies of the day all were in opposition to Jesus and His way.opposition to Jesus and His way.


• What answer would be given to “who is What answer would be given to “who is Jesus of Nazareth?” Jesus of Nazareth?” (Jn 7:47-49; Mt 16:13-15)(Jn 7:47-49; Mt 16:13-15)


• John 7:47-49John 7:47-49 - Then the Pharisees - Then the Pharisees answered them, "Are you also deceived? answered them, "Are you also deceived? 48 "48 "Have any of the rulers or the Have any of the rulers or the Pharisees believed in HimPharisees believed in Him? 49 "But this ? 49 "But this crowd that does not know the law is crowd that does not know the law is accursed."accursed."


• Matthew 16:13-15Matthew 16:13-15 - When Jesus came - When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, "asked His disciples, saying, "Who do men Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, amsay that I, the Son of Man, am?" 14 So ?" 14 So they said, "Some they said, "Some say say John the Baptist, John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets." 15 He said to them, "But of the prophets." 15 He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?"who do you say that I am?"


• Should men disagree with the trained Should men disagree with the trained theologians of the day? Jesus asked: “But theologians of the day? Jesus asked: “But who do you say I am?who do you say I am?

• What religious body did Jesus become a What religious body did Jesus become a part of? part of? (Mt 15:12-14)(Mt 15:12-14)


• Matthew 15:12-14Matthew 15:12-14 - Then His disciples - Then His disciples came and said to Him, "came and said to Him, "Do You know that Do You know that the Pharisees were offendedthe Pharisees were offended when they when they heard this saying?" 13 But He answered heard this saying?" 13 But He answered and said, "and said, "Every plant which My heavenly Every plant which My heavenly Father has not planted will be uprootedFather has not planted will be uprooted. . 14 "Let them alone. They are blind leaders 14 "Let them alone. They are blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind leads the of the blind. And if the blind leads the blind, both will fall into a ditch."blind, both will fall into a ditch."


• Should this church exist? Are we following Should this church exist? Are we following Jesus Christ or men?Jesus Christ or men?

Jesus established His church for all of Jesus established His church for all of His followersHis followers

• Jesus came to be “the great shepherd” Jesus came to be “the great shepherd” over all men that would come to Him.over all men that would come to Him.

• Jesus would establish a church, a body of Jesus would establish a church, a body of men under His headship. men under His headship. (Mt 16:18; Lk 6:46)(Mt 16:18; Lk 6:46)


• Matthew 16:18Matthew 16:18 - "And I also say to you - "And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock that you are Peter, and on this rock I will I will build My churchbuild My church, and the gates of Hades , and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.shall not prevail against it.


• Luke 6:46Luke 6:46 - " But why do you call Me - " But why do you call Me 'Lord, Lord,' and 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do the things do not do the things which I saywhich I say??


• The apostles were an The apostles were an essentialessential element in element in the formation and direction of this body. the formation and direction of this body. (Acts 1:8; 2:14, Eph 2:19-21)(Acts 1:8; 2:14, Eph 2:19-21)


• Acts 1:8Acts 1:8 - "But - "But you you shall receive power shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and and you shall be witnesses to Me in you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earthand to the end of the earth."."


• Acts 2:14Acts 2:14 - But - But Peter, standing up with the Peter, standing up with the eleveneleven, raised his voice and said to them, , raised his voice and said to them, "Men of Judea and all who dwell in "Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and heed my words.heed my words.


• Ephesians 2:19-21Ephesians 2:19-21 - Now, therefore, you - Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20 of the household of God, 20 having been having been built on the foundation of the apostles and built on the foundation of the apostles and prophetsprophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the , Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerchief cornerstone,stone, 21 in whom the whole 21 in whom the whole building, being joined together, grows into building, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord,a holy temple in the Lord,


• It was the apostle’s doctrine that would be It was the apostle’s doctrine that would be the sole guide of this new body. the sole guide of this new body. (Acts 2:42; 1 Jn 4:1, 6)(Acts 2:42; 1 Jn 4:1, 6)


• Acts 2:42Acts 2:42 - And - And they continued steadfastly they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrinein the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.the breaking of bread, and in prayers.


• 1 John 4:11 John 4:1 - - Beloved, Beloved, do not believe every do not believe every spirit, but test the spiritsspirit, but test the spirits, whether they are , whether they are of God; because of God; because many false prophets many false prophets have gone out into the worldhave gone out into the world..


• 1 John 4:61 John 4:6 - - WeWe are of God. are of God. He who He who knows God hears usknows God hears us; he who is not of God ; he who is not of God does not hear us. does not hear us. By this we know the By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of errorspirit of truth and the spirit of error. .


• It became clear that the Lord revealed new It became clear that the Lord revealed new provisions through the apostles.provisions through the apostles.

• There were to be local organized bodies There were to be local organized bodies called “churches.” called “churches.” (Acts 14:23)(Acts 14:23)


• Acts 14:23Acts 14:23 - So when - So when they had appointed they had appointed elders in every churchelders in every church, and prayed with , and prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed.in whom they had believed.


• There was to be specific assemblies and There was to be specific assemblies and specific things done in those assemblies. specific things done in those assemblies. (1 Cor 11:23-25)(1 Cor 11:23-25)


• 1 Corinthians 11:23-251 Corinthians 11:23-25 - For - For I received I received from the Lordfrom the Lord that which I also delivered to that which I also delivered to youyou: that the Lord Jesus on the : that the Lord Jesus on the same same night night in which He was betrayed took bread; 24 in which He was betrayed took bread; 24 and when He had given thanks, He broke and when He had given thanks, He broke it it and said, "Take, eat; this is My body and said, "Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me."remembrance of Me."


• 25 In the same manner 25 In the same manner He He also also took took the the cup after supper, saying, "This cup is the cup after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink often as you drink it, it, in remembrance of in remembrance of Me."Me."


• Should apostolic authority be followed Should apostolic authority be followed today? If so, how should we view the today? If so, how should we view the writings given in the New Testament?writings given in the New Testament?

• The battleground in the 1st century is the The battleground in the 1st century is the same battleground today. Do we “hold fast same battleground today. Do we “hold fast to the head” or will we be moved by to the head” or will we be moved by relationships and pious looking people? relationships and pious looking people? (Col 2:18-19)(Col 2:18-19)


• Colossians 2:18-19Colossians 2:18-19 - - Let no one cheat Let no one cheat you of your rewardyou of your reward, taking delight in , taking delight in false false humility and worship of angelshumility and worship of angels, intruding , intruding into those things which he has not seen, into those things which he has not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mindvainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, 19 , 19 and and not holding fast to the Headnot holding fast to the Head, from , from whom all the body, nourished and knit whom all the body, nourished and knit together by joints and ligaments, grows together by joints and ligaments, grows with the increase with the increase that is that is from God.from God.

Jesus gave a pattern for the salvation of Jesus gave a pattern for the salvation of all menall men

• Paul spoke of a “form of doctrine” when Paul spoke of a “form of doctrine” when obeyed from the heart that would set obeyed from the heart that would set men free from sin. men free from sin. (Rom 6:17-18)(Rom 6:17-18)


• Romans 6:17-18Romans 6:17-18 - But God be thanked - But God be thanked that that though though you were slaves of sin, yet you were slaves of sin, yet you you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrineobeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered. 18 And to which you were delivered. 18 And having been set free from sin, you became having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness.slaves of righteousness.


• ““form”- pattern, example, model, standard. form”- pattern, example, model, standard. – Newman’s Lexicon – Newman’s Lexicon

• We learn that Jesus has given and We learn that Jesus has given and understandable pattern to obey. This is understandable pattern to obey. This is one of many conditional promises which one of many conditional promises which are doorways to God’s grace.are doorways to God’s grace.

• This pattern was first revealed on This pattern was first revealed on Pentecost.Pentecost.


• As a fulfillment of prophecy, there will be As a fulfillment of prophecy, there will be revealed a way to call upon the name of revealed a way to call upon the name of the Lord for salvation! the Lord for salvation! (Acts 2:21)(Acts 2:21)


• Acts 2:21Acts 2:21 - And it shall come to pass - And it shall come to pass That That whoever calls on the name of the whoever calls on the name of the LORD Shall be savedLORD Shall be saved.'.'


• When men asked how to do that, they When men asked how to do that, they were given a specific, understandable were given a specific, understandable conditional promise. conditional promise. (Acts 2:36-38)(Acts 2:36-38)


• Acts 2:36-38Acts 2:36-38 - "Therefore let all the house - "Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ." 37 Now when they Lord and Christ." 37 Now when they heard heard this, this, they were cut to the heart, and they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, ""Men Men and and brethren, what shall we dobrethren, what shall we do?" ?"


• 38 Then Peter said to them, "38 Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sinssins; and you shall receive the gift of the ; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Holy Spirit.


• How can I be sure what the Head wants How can I be sure what the Head wants concerning my teaching on salvation?concerning my teaching on salvation?

• Can I be sure about this? Look at what the Can I be sure about this? Look at what the apostles did and what they wrote. Take all apostles did and what they wrote. Take all the Bible says on this subject and see the the Bible says on this subject and see the harmony. harmony.

• What did Jesus teach in the great What did Jesus teach in the great commission? commission? (Mk 16:15-16)(Mk 16:15-16)


• Mark 16:15-16Mark 16:15-16 - And He said to them, - And He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 "gospel to every creature. 16 "He who He who believes and is baptized will be savedbelieves and is baptized will be saved; but ; but he who does not believe will be he who does not believe will be condemned.condemned.


• How did Paul obey that “form of doctrine?” How did Paul obey that “form of doctrine?” (Acts 22:16)(Acts 22:16)


• Acts 22:16Acts 22:16 - 'And now why are you - 'And now why are you waiting? waiting? Arise and be baptizedArise and be baptized, and , and wash wash away your sinsaway your sins, , calling on the name of the calling on the name of the LordLord.' .'


• Can we know and stand on these clear Can we know and stand on these clear promises?promises?

• If one has sincerely misunderstood, then If one has sincerely misunderstood, then they need to be taught the correct “form of they need to be taught the correct “form of doctrine” and obey it. doctrine” and obey it. (Acts 19:1-5)(Acts 19:1-5)


• Acts 19:1-5Acts 19:1-5 - - And it happened, while And it happened, while Apollos was at Corinth, that Paul, having Apollos was at Corinth, that Paul, having passed through the upper regions, came passed through the upper regions, came to Ephesus. And finding some disciples 2 to Ephesus. And finding some disciples 2 he said to them, "Did you receive the Holy he said to them, "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?" So they said to Spirit when you believed?" So they said to him, "him, "We have not so much as heard We have not so much as heard whether there is a Holy Spiritwhether there is a Holy Spirit." ."


• 3 And he said to them, "3 And he said to them, "Into what then Into what then were you baptizedwere you baptized?" So they said, "Into ?" So they said, "Into John's baptism." 4 Then Paul said, "John John's baptism." 4 Then Paul said, "John indeed baptized with a baptism of indeed baptized with a baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they repentance, saying to the people that they should believe on Him who would come should believe on Him who would come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus." 5 after him, that is, on Christ Jesus." 5 When they heard When they heard this, this, they were baptized they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesusin the name of the Lord Jesus..


• Those who teach another “form of Those who teach another “form of doctrine” are not with fellowship with doctrine” are not with fellowship with God. God. (Gal 1:6-10)(Gal 1:6-10)


• Galatians 1:6-10Galatians 1:6-10 - I marvel that you are - I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, 7 which is not another; but there gospel, 7 which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But even pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if if we, or an angel from heavenwe, or an angel from heaven, preach , preach any any other gospelother gospel to you to you than what we have than what we have preached to youpreached to you, let him be accursed. , let him be accursed.


• 9 As we have said before, so now I say 9 As we have said before, so now I say again, again, if anyone preaches any other if anyone preaches any other gospelgospel to you than what you have to you than what you have received, let him be accursed. 10 received, let him be accursed. 10 For do I For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please mento please men? For if I still pleased men, I ? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ.would not be a bondservant of Christ.


• In history these questions have always In history these questions have always demanded a common understanding or a demanded a common understanding or a separation in fellowship. separation in fellowship.

• Are there other churches in Auburn taking Are there other churches in Auburn taking such a stand?such a stand?

Jesus gave a pattern for our worship in Jesus gave a pattern for our worship in local churcheslocal churches

• Simple instructions were delivered by the Simple instructions were delivered by the apostles. apostles. (1 Cor 11:23-25)(1 Cor 11:23-25)


• 1 Corinthians 11:23-251 Corinthians 11:23-25 - For - For I received I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to from the Lord that which I also delivered to youyou: that the Lord Jesus on the : that the Lord Jesus on the same same night night in which He was betrayed took bread; 24 in which He was betrayed took bread; 24 and when He had given thanks, He broke and when He had given thanks, He broke it it and said, "Take, eat; this is My body and said, "Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me." remembrance of Me."


• 25 In the same manner 25 In the same manner He He also also took took the the cup after supper, saying, "This cup is the cup after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink often as you drink it, it, in remembrance of in remembrance of Me."Me."


• What elements are to be used and for What elements are to be used and for what purpose?what purpose?

• We simply take all of the divine We simply take all of the divine instructions and stay with what has been instructions and stay with what has been delivered. delivered.

• ““Where does the bible say not to use Where does the bible say not to use hamburger?”hamburger?”


• The first day of the week is a God The first day of the week is a God ordained day for a specific kind of ordained day for a specific kind of assembly. assembly. (1 Cor 16:1-2; Acts 20:7)(1 Cor 16:1-2; Acts 20:7)


• 1 Corinthians 16:1-21 Corinthians 16:1-2 - - Now concerning Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have the collection for the saints, as I have given orders to the churches of Galatia, so given orders to the churches of Galatia, so you must do also: 2 you must do also: 2 On the first On the first day day of the of the weekweek let each one of you lay something let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come.there be no collections when I come.


• Acts 20:7Acts 20:7 - Now - Now on the first on the first day day of the of the weekweek, when the disciples came together to , when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul, ready to depart the break bread, Paul, ready to depart the next day, spoke to them and continued his next day, spoke to them and continued his message until midnight.message until midnight.


• The same approach to the apostle’s The same approach to the apostle’s instructions gives us a sure path.instructions gives us a sure path.


• What is the difference between one who What is the difference between one who views the apostle’s instructions as divine views the apostle’s instructions as divine or a product of 1st century culture? or a product of 1st century culture? (1 Thess 2:13; 2 Thess 3:6, 14)(1 Thess 2:13; 2 Thess 3:6, 14)


• 1 Thessalonians 2:131 Thessalonians 2:13 - For this reason - For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of because when you received the word of God God which you heard from uswhich you heard from us, you , you welcomed welcomed it it not not as as the word of men, but the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of Godas it is in truth, the word of God, which , which also effectively works in you who believe.also effectively works in you who believe.


• 2 Thessalonians 3:62 Thessalonians 3:6 - But we command - But we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw from every Jesus Christ, that you withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly and brother who walks disorderly and not not according to the tradition which he according to the tradition which he received from usreceived from us..


• 2 Thessalonians 3:142 Thessalonians 3:14 - And if anyone - And if anyone does not obey our word in this epistledoes not obey our word in this epistle, , note that person and do not keep note that person and do not keep company with him, that he may be company with him, that he may be ashamed.ashamed.


• This approach will also make a difference This approach will also make a difference is how we sing to God!is how we sing to God!

• The work of local churches is plainly given The work of local churches is plainly given by the apostles. by the apostles. (Eph 4:11-12)(Eph 4:11-12)


• Ephesians 4:11-12Ephesians 4:11-12 - And - And He HimselfHe Himself gave gave some some to be to be apostlesapostles, , some prophetssome prophets, , some evangelistssome evangelists, and , and some pastors and some pastors and teachersteachers, 12 for , 12 for the equipping of the the equipping of the saints for the work of ministrysaints for the work of ministry, for , for the the edifying of the body of Christedifying of the body of Christ,,


• How did Jesus equip His church? What is How did Jesus equip His church? What is the purpose?the purpose?

• Does it matter how a church spends the Does it matter how a church spends the money on the first day of the week? Any money on the first day of the week? Any churches in Auburn taking this stand?churches in Auburn taking this stand?

• What if this church decided to extend What if this church decided to extend fellowship to others churches without any fellowship to others churches without any doctrinal discernment? doctrinal discernment? (2 Jn 9-11)(2 Jn 9-11)


• 2 John 9-112 John 9-11 - Whoever transgresses and - Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christdoes not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have Goddoes not have God. He who abides in the . He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son. 10 If anyone comes to you and the Son. 10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrinedoes not bring this doctrine, do not receive , do not receive him into your house nor greet him; 11 for him into your house nor greet him; 11 for he who greets him shares in his evil he who greets him shares in his evil deeds.deeds.


• A compromised fellowship will in time A compromised fellowship will in time determine practice! determine practice! (1 Cor 5:6)(1 Cor 5:6)


• 1 Corinthians 5:61 Corinthians 5:6 - Your glorying - Your glorying is is not not good. Do you not know that good. Do you not know that a little leaven a little leaven leavens the whole lumpleavens the whole lump??


• Is undenominational Christianity possible? Is undenominational Christianity possible? There is a great challenge and a great There is a great challenge and a great freedom in such a stand!freedom in such a stand!

should the university church of christ exist?. it is important to see clearly where jesus expects us...

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