<%@LANGUAGE="JAVASCRIPT" CODEPAGE="1252"%> Untitled Document • Why The Church of Christ Is Different

• The world in general place us in a category along with all the other faith based groups.

• INTRODUCTION
• The average person in our society does not know that the church of Christ is different from the denominations.
• Sadly, some who are members of a local church do not know why the church of Christ is different from the denominations.
• The fact that they are all different should speak volumes, because each group is different from the others.

• Denomination
• The very definition means to be just another brand of a larger entity.
• We speak of different value of money as denominations– ones, fives, tens, twenties, etc.
• People consider each different denomination to be just another entity or denomination within the universal church of Christ.

• Denomination
• Each entity is different as they all have differences.
• Doctrine, beliefs, creeds, works, actions are different.
• Some designate their denomination by a name.
• Some by a belief.

• Denomination
• Of the eight definitions in the dictionary, we only meet one criteria of denomination;
• That is we are different from the rest in name only.
• We do not consider ourselves as a denomination like the world does.
• We are different, and we are going to view some of those differences.

• The Bible
• One of the primary and foremost reasons we are not a denomination is because of how we treat the BIBLE.
• We respect it as the word of God.
• Denominations also claim to respect the word of God, yet their actions and doctrines are a disclaimer that they do not follow the Bible.

• The Bible
• One of our motto’s is this:
• Speak where the Bible speaks and be silent where it is silent.
• This is partly based upon 1 Peter 4:11.
• Our view, is if God has revealed in His word how we are to worship Him, we had better be right.

• The Bible
• That is why we use scripture to teach us and guide us.
• Everything we do has scripture to support our actions and teachings.
• Book, chapter, verse is very important.
• Much preaching takes place without referencing the holy Scriptures as a source of authority.
• These are the words of God, Christ, Holy Spirit.

• The Bible
• The authority of scripture comes in the form of:
• Statements of Fact
• Direct Commands
• Approved Apostolic Examples
• Necessary Implication or Inference
• Silence of Scripture

• Gods Plan Of Salvation
• One of the most obvious differences between denominations and us is in how we teach the plan of salvation.
• Hearing the gospel message
• Believing the message and believing in Christ
• Repenting
• Confessing
• Being baptized.
• Denominations use some of these, but not all.

• Creeds
• Another difference is in the fact that most every denomination has its own written creed that is their guide.
• Of course, these man—made written creeds are rewritten all the time to satisfy political desires.
• In the church of Christ, we have no creed but the BIBLE.
• Most of these creeds will declare the BIBLE to be the inerrant word of God, but ignore the BIBLE to pursue their own religious error.

• The Name
• Of course the name segregates from other groups and tells outsiders we are different.
• Some groups use the names of men as their identity.
• Some groups use a doctrinal belief as their identity.
• We choose to identify ourselves with Christ.
• Thus the designation: Church of Christ.

• Organization
• Many groups are known for their levels of hierarchy.
• According to the Bible, we read that Christ is head of the church.
• Within the local churches, the scriptures authorize elders over each individual congregation, and deacons to assist the elders.
• Nothing more, nothing less.
• Evangelists are a different category and should not be confused with the other offices, neither do they have any authority over the church.

• Work of the Church
• According to the bible the work of the church is limited to three things.
• Evangelism
• Edification
• Limited benevolence
• General benevolence, evangelism and edification are all duties that individuals possess.

• Work of the Church
• Church are limited to what Scripture authorizes.
• While we cannot deny that many denominations do good works, the fact of the matter is that they do not have authority for what they do.
• Of course, many works of denominations do nothing for the spiritual building up that the BIBLE teaches needs to be done.

• Worship of the Church
• According to scripture we have:
• Prayer
• Singing
• Observance of the Lords Supper
• Giving to support the local church (?)
• Sermon or words of encouragement.

• Conclusion
• There are many differences.
• All have to do with the identity of the true church of Christ as revealed in the Bible.
• Each one of the points made in this sermon could have an entire sermon dedicated to such subject.
• Find the church that most closely follows the Bible, and you have a good church.

By Carey Scott

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