A Biblical Identity

Introduction:

Quite often – many who express they have never heard about the Church of Christ and want to know what we teach – and what we are all about. We welcome the opportunity to answer any/all questions. We plead for religious unity of all believers.  Wish to achieve unity by appealing to Scripture. While we do not profess to have all the answers – we do seek to do Bible things in Bible ways! It is our desire to do nothing more than to be just like the church you read about in the NT.  Nothing more, nothing less.

 

I.  The Christians here are committed to having a Biblical Identity.

A.     Acts 3:22-24 – Key to having Biblical identity:  give heed to Jesus!

B.     Col. 3:17 – do ALL things in the name of Christ!  Jesus placed at very center of our lives.

C.    Must remember:  God wants us to do what He said to do – NOT AS WE PLEASE!

1.     1 Cor. 14:33 – God is not the author of confusion! 

D.    Having Biblical identity means we must work/worship according to the pattern!

1.     Heb. 8:5 – Moses did all things according to the pattern that God laid out.

2.     Pattern for Christians to follow today – found in NT.

a)     Involves way of conduct for individual lives

b)    Involves way of worship/religious practice.

 

II.  We try to be like the church you read about in the Bible.

A.     In Name

1.     Individually: we are known as Christians.

c)     Isa. 62:2 – called by a new name!

d)    1 Pet. 4:14-16 – “Christian” the ONLY name specifically commanded by an apostle in which the Lord’s people should glorify God.

2.     As a collective group God’s people have been identified by various names.

a)     Rom. 16:16 – churches of Christ; 1 Cor. 1:2 – church of God.

b)    Eph. 1:22-23 – body of Christ; Mt. 16:18-19; 13:24; 6:33 – kingdom of God (heaven)

c)     1 Cor. 3:16-17 – temple of God; 1 Tim. 3:15 – household (family) of God.

d)    To wear labels of men – not condoned in Scripture. 1 Cor. 1:11-13

B.     In Organization.

1.     In the Scriptures – no higher organization than the local church.

a)     Christians in this congregation answer to no one other than JESUS Christ!

b)    Just as congregations did in NT (See Rev. 2-3)

2.     Phil. 1:1 – saints, deacons, and elders.

a)     this way of organization verified by Scripture – Acts 14:23; Titus 1:5

3.     More organization than what in Biblical pattern – goes against Scripture – no authority to do so!

a)     Jude 3 – way of doing things religiously – been handed down once and for all!

Conclusion:

A.     If your looking for a church home – I hope you will strongly consider being our guest at our next service.

1.     If you are outside of Christ – never given your life to Him – you can do that now!