[an error occurred while processing this directive] Why I Am A Member of The Church of Christ:  Lesson 8 LESSON 8

Why I am a Member of the Church of Christ

"BECAUSE IT IS SCRIPTURAL IN NAME"

Introduction
How the Church is identified in the New Testament
How the members of the Church were identified
Why should only the name God has given be worn?
Conclusion:

INTRODUCTION

1. Is there anything in a name?

A. If there is nothing in a name why all the advertising: McDonald's hamburgers, Jimmy Dean sausage, AmSouth Bank, E.F. Hutton, etc.

B. Suppose someone called your wife a witch, jezebel, or devil would it matter to you?

C. Suppose you call a good American "Judas", "traitor", or a truthful man "liar" or called a good citizen "criminal", what do you suppose the reaction would be?

D. If there is nothing in the name there would be utter confusion: Illustrate with classroom teacher and students.

E. The Lord places importance upon a name:

1. The Lord named Adam and Eve.

Gen. 5:2 Male and female created he them; and blessed them, and called their name Adam, in the day when they were created. (KJV)

2. Jacob's name changed to Israel.

Gen. 32:27 And he said unto him, What is thy name?  And he said, Jacob.  Gen. 32:28 And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed. (KJV)

3. Paul condemned human and divisive names in 1 Cor. 1:13 Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul? (KJV)

2. It seems that religious matters is about the only thing we apply this to.

3. The truth is that it is as important in identifying the church as it is individuals.

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I. HOW THE CHURCH IS IDENTIFIED IN THE NEW TESTAMENT     

(There is no specific name given to the church, but there are scriptural         ways to identify it.)

A. My church.

Mt. 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)

B. The church.

Acts 8:1 And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles. (KJV)

C. Church of God.

1 Cor. 1:2 Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours: (KJV)

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)

D. The body of Christ.

Eph 4:12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: (KJV)

E. The church of the living God.

1 Tim. 3:15 But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth. (KJV)

F. Church of the first born.

Heb. 12:23 To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, (KJV)

G. Churches of Christ.

Rom. 16:16 Salute one another with an holy kiss. The churches of Christ salute you. (KJV)

Can you find the name of the church of which you are a member in the scriptures?

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II. HOW THE MEMBERS OF THE CHURCH WERE IDENTIFIED

(Members of the church wore several distinctive and significant names).

A. Disciples denotes learners or followers.

Acts 20:7 And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight. (KJV)

B. Saints denoting they were saved from past sins, holy in life and sanctified or set apart for the Master's use.

1 Cor. 1:2 Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:  (KJV)

C. Beloved of God denotes they are loved of God.

Rom. 1:7 To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. (KJV)

D. Brethren, suggests their relationship to each other as brethren in Christ.

1 Cor. 15:6 After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. (KJV)

E. Sons of God shows their relationship to God.

Rom. 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. (KJV)

F. Children of God.

Gal. 3:26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.   27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.   (KJV)

I Jn. 3:1 Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. (KJV)

G. Heirs of God shows they are to inherit from God.

Rom. 8:17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. (KJV)

H. Royal priesthood or priests.

I Pet. 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: (KJV)

I. Christians.

Acts 11:26 And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch. (KJV)

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III. WHY SHOULD ONLY THE NAME GOD HAS GIVEN BE WORN?

A. The church is the bride of Christ and should wear His name.

II Cor. 11:2 For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. (KJV)

B. The church is the family of God and should wear His name.

I Tim. 3:15 But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth. (KJV)

Eph. 3:14 For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,   15 Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, (KJV)

C. What we do must be done in the name of Christ.

Col. 3:17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him. (KJV)

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CONCLUSION:

1. Man made names should be avoided and the name of Christ adopted.

2. To be scriptural we must identify the church and its members as the scripture direct.

3. I am a member of the church of Christ because it is scriptural in name.


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