| Introduction |
| Christ is the founder of the New Testament Church |
| The New Testament Church was not built by John the Baptist |
| Other plants not planted by Jesus will be rooted up |
| Conclusion |
INTRODUCTION
1. Every religious body has been founded by someone. they are
either of human or divine origin.
2. There are multitudes of religious groups in the world, each
having it's own peculiar doctrines and practices. The question
that should cross every honest and sincere person's mind should
be, is it scriptural or unscriptural.
3. If any religious group is shown to be of human origin and therefore
unscriptural, we should be ready and willing to sever any and
all ties.
4. With all the religions in the world, how can one possibly find
the true New Testament Church?
5. This lesson will focus upon the identifying trait that Christ
is the founder of the New Testament Church.
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I.
CHRIST IS THE FOUNDER OF THE NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH.
A. Matt 16:18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. (KJV)
From the text note the following:1. I (personal) not another but Christ.
2. Will (both future and definite).
3. Build (construct or establish).
4. My (possessive or ownership).
5. Church (congregational or assembly).
6. It would be founded upon the rock of the deity of Christ.B. Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this. (KJV)
C. Luke 1:32 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: 33 And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end. (KJV)
D. Heb 3:16 For some, when they had heard, did provoke: howbeit not all that came out of Egypt by Moses. (KJV)
E. Jesus Christ the Lord of glory bought and paid for it with his blood.Acts 20:28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. (KJV)
Eph 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; (KJV)
II. THE NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH WAS NOT BUILT BY JOHN THE BAPTIST.
A. The fact that the Church was established by Jesus Christ is irrefutable evidence that it wasn't founded by John the Baptist or any other human being.
B. Evidence that John the Baptist did not establish the Church.1. John was dead at the time Jesus promised the Build His church.
Matt 14:10 And he sent, and beheaded John in the prison. (KJV)
- We turn two chapters and come to the Lords's promise to build His church.
Matt 16:18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. (KJV)
2. John preached the Kingdom at hand never promised to build one.
Matt 3:1 In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, 2 And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. (KJV)
3. John was not a member of the Kingdom.
Matt 11:11 Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. (KJV)
4. The Church was not established during the personal ministry of Jesus.
A. "at hand" (Jesus).
Mark 1:15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel. (KJV)
B. "at hand" (twelve).
Matt.10:7 And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.
C. "come nigh unto you".
Luke 10:9 And heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you. (KJV)
D. Disciples were taught to pray for it.
Matt 6:9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. 10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. (KJV)
E. Jesus promised to build it.
Matt 16:18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. (KJV)
F. Disciples were not yet in it.
Matt 18:1 At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? 2 And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, 3 And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. (KJV)
G. Disciples promised it would come during their generation.
Mark 9:1 And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That there be some of them that stand here, which shall not taste of death, till they have seen the kingdom of God come with power. (KJV)
H. Disciples yet expecting it.
Luke 22:18 For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come. (KJV)
Luke 19:11 And as they heard these things, he added and spake a parable, because he was nigh to Jerusalem, and because they thought that the kingdom of God should immediately appear. (KJV)I. It had not come at that time of the Lord's ascension.
Acts 1:6 When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? (KJV)
III.
OTHER PLANTS NOT PLANTED BY JESUS WILL BE ROOTED UP.
A. Matt 15:13 But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up. (KJV)
B. If a Church is not planted by God, it has been planted by men. Those not planted by the Father will be uprooted.
C. Denominationalism is sinful and rooted in division, the very thing the Bible condemns.1Cor 1:10 Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. (KJV)
Eph 4:1 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the
vocation wherewith ye are called, 2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; 3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. (KJV)D. Denominations are the product of men and will therefore be uprooted.
E. The only Church that will remain firmly rooted is the Church Jesus founded.
CONCLUSION
1. I am a member of the Church of Christ because of it's builder.
2. "Review"
A. Christ is it's founder.
B. The Church wasn't
built by John the Baptist.
C. Every plant not planted
by the Father will be uprooted.
3. To be a member of a Church other than the one Jesus built is
to be a member of a Church of human, not divine origin.
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