The Unique Identity of the Church
Explore the singular nature of the church, emphasizing there is only one true church established by Christ in the New Testament. Learn about the identifying marks of the church and the importance of following Scriptural guidelines and teachings. Discover the significance of unity and adherence to the doctrines and practices of the early church.
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Presentation Transcript
Lesson 9: The Unique Identity of the Church
The Unique Identity of the Church I. There Is Only One Church. A. Understanding the unique identity of the church begins with understanding the singular nature of the church. The church is unique because there is only one! B. The unity required by Christ for His church demands that there is only one church. C. There is no such thing in the New Testament or in the mind of God as joining the church of your choice. D. Denominationalism did not exist in the first century or in New Testament times. 1. When the Lord established His church, there was only one church His church. 2. There were no denominations to choose from or to complicate the matter. 3. The church of the New Testament is pre-denominational, existing centuries before man-made denominations ever came on the scene. 4. All Christians were members of the same church the one New Testament church.
The Unique Identity of the Church II. There Are Definite Identifying Marks of the One True Church in the New Testament. B. Identifying Mark: The church was founded by Christ. C. Identifying Mark: The church was founded upon Christ. D. Identifying Mark: The church was established in Jerusalem. E. Identifying Mark: The church was established on the first Pentecost after the resurrection of Christ (~ A.D. 33). F. Identifying Mark: The church wears the name of its Founder, Owner and Savior.
The Unique Identity of the Church II. There Are Definite Identifying Marks of the One True Church in the New Testament. G. Identifying Mark: The church follows only one law system, doctrine, creed, discipline. 1. Man-made religions follow man-made doctrines from man-made creeds. Thus, the religions vary because the doctrines vary because the creeds vary. 2. The one true church of the New Testament has only one law system, only one doctrine and only one creed that it follows the New Testament! 3. Since Christ is the head of the church (Eph. 5:23), and since He is Lord (Acts 2:36), and since His word is the all-authoritative standard of judgment (John 12:48), it follows that His word alone governs the teaching and practice of His church.
The Unique Identity of the Church II. There Are Definite Identifying Marks of the One True Church in the New Testament. H. Identifying Mark: The church is organized according to Scriptural guidelines. I. Identifying Mark: The church worships as authorized by the New Testament.
The Unique Identity of the Church II. There Are Definite Identifying Marks of the One True Church in the New Testament. J. Identifying Mark: The church has clear, universal and Scriptural terms of entrance. 1. One enters the church today in the very same way one entered the church in the N.T. 2. Believers who repent and confess their faith are baptized into Christ to obtain the forgiveness of sins. 3. These are God s terms of entrance for all people of every nation. 4. Immersion into water is the culminating step. 5. Salvation is found only in Christ, in His church, in His body, in His family, in His kingdom. One cannot be saved outside of Christ.
The Unique Identity of the Church III.The Church of the New Testament Can Be Planted and Identified Identically in Any Age. A. The Lord designed His church to be universal and identical in every age and every land. B. The Lord s church (as described and identified in the New Testament) can be planted in any culture today where the gospel is preached. C. The Lord s church can be found and can be identified by going back to the seed (i.e., the Word of God) and ensuring that the final product is not that of man but that of Christ.
The Unique Identity of the Church IV.Conclusion A. With thousands of man-made denominations in existence today, it can be challenging to: B. The church that Jesus purchased and established in the New Testament still exists today. C. Since the church still exists today, we must search for it and identify it. D. The church is a divine institution with a unique identity there is only one.
