023. Church, Identity of the

023. Church, Identity of the

23 IDENTITY OF THE CHURCH

INTRODUCTION There are hundreds of different churches all claiming to be churches of Christ. Are they? Can they be? Can we determine which one he established?

I. A KNOWN FACT 1. Jesus established a church. (Matthew 16:18.) 2. He established only one. (1 Corinthians 12:20; Colossians 1:18.) 3. ls this one still in existence?

4. Did it cease or go down in signal defeat?

5. Either it went down or it still exists.

6. If it is still in existence, which one is it?

II. HOW WE MAY KNOW IT 1. If we do not know it, can we tell when we find it ?

2. The church Jesus established had a certain foundation.

3. Established at a certain time- Pentecost.

4. Established at a certain place- .Jeru salem.

5. Established by a certain person-Jesus.

6. Terms of admission were faith, repentance, baptism.

7. Its members lived a certain type of life.

8. They were kn own by certain names.

9. Any church established at any other time, place, or on another foundation cannot be the church of Christ.

III. WHICH IS THE CHURCH OF CHRIST ?

1. The one that has Jesus as its head .

2. He is not the head of any other.

3. The one that wears his name.

4. One that fills his mission .

5. One that is filled with his Spirit.