WHAT WE BELIEVE AND WHY –PART I

SCRIPTURE READING: MATTHEW 16:13-18 

INTRO: From time to time we need a basic review of the doctrines of the church of Christ.

A. Jesus Christ came into the world for several    Purposes, one of those being to establish His    church.

B. The  church of  Christ makes claim upon the fact that    the church was to be built upon Jesus Himself.

C. This sermon series begins with the foundation. 

I. OUR FOUNDATION IS JESUS!   A. Matthew 16:18 brings out some important points.  

  B. Ephesians 5:22-29 is about Christ & the church.  

C. No other foundation is acceptable. 

  D. Human foundations bring divisions!  I Cor. 3:3-8 

II. THEREFORE WE WEAR THE  NAME  CHURCH OF CHRIST.  

A. Usually the church is designated by locality.  

B. Where did the early church meet? 

III. OTHER NAMES THAT ARE GIVEN TO THE BODY OF CHRIST:  

A. Acts 20:28 – “The church of  God”.  

B. I Timothy 3:15 – “The church of the living God.”  

C. Hebrews 12:23 – “The church of the firstborn.”  

D. Ephesians 3:10 & 21 refer simply to “the church.”  

E. “ Church of  Christ” is the most fitting. Phil. 2:9-11  

 F. It is His church.  

G. The church was established in Acts 2.  

H. What kind of people will you find in the  church   of Christ? 

IV. NOTE WHAT DENOMINATIONAL HEADS HAVE SAID:  

A. John Wesley   B. Martin Luther   C.  Charles Spurgeon 

CONCLUSION AND INVITATION