WHY I AM A MEMBER OF THE CHURCH OF CHRIST #6

WHY I AM A MEMBER OF
THE CHURCH OF CHRIST
Leroy Brownlow

Copyright 1945
Fifty-fourth printing 2004

WHY I AM A MEMBER OF THE CHURCH OF CHRIST

• Because it was founded by the scriptural builder ------- Christ
• Because it was founded on the scriptural foundation
• Because it was founded at the scriptural place --- Jerusalem
• Because it was founded at the scriptural time ---- the Pentecost following the resurrection of Christ
• Because Christ is the founder of only one church ---- His church

Why I AM A MEMBER OF THE CHURCH OF CHRIST

• 6 - Because it is scriptural in name

WHY I AM A MEMBER OF THE CHURCH OF CHRIST

• 7 - Because it is scriptural in organization
• 8 - Because it has the Bible as its only creed, confession of faith or church manual
• 9 - Because it belives all the Bible to be the inspired word of God
• 10 - Because it believes the Bible is a book to be rightly divided

WHY I AM A MEMBER OF THE CHURCH OF CHRIST

• 12 Because it is scriptural in doing missionary work
• 13 Because it teaches the kingdom has been established and Christ is now reigning
• 14 Because it gives scriptural answers to the question What must I do to be saved
• 15 Because it teaches that man is saved by faith but not faith only

WHY I AM A MEMBER OF THE CHURCH OF CHRIST

• 16 Be it teaches a man is saved by the blood of Christ
• 17 Because it teaches a change of heart is indispensable to man's salvation
• 18 Because of its teaching and practice concerning prayer
• 19 Because it teaches and administers scriptural baptism

WHY I AM A MEMBER OF THE CHURCH OF CHRIST

• 20 Because it teaches that a child of God can so sin as to be eternally lost

WHY I AM A MEMBER OF THE CHURCH OF CHRIST

• 21 Because it teaches that infants are born pure and innocent rather than depraved
• 22 Because it teaches the miraculous manifestations of the Spirit have ceased
• 23 Because of the scriptural teaching and observance of the Lord's Supper

WHY I AM A MEMBER OF THE CHURCH OF CHRIST

• 24 Because it has scriptural music in the worship
• 25 Because salvation is in Christ's church

WHY I AM A MEMBER OF THE CHURCH OF CHRIST

• 21 Because it teaches that infants are born pure and innocent rather than depraved

Mark 16:15 And He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.

16 He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned".

Ge 8:21 And the LORD smelled a soothing aroma. Then the LORD said in His heart, I will never again curse the ground for man's sake, although the imagination of man's heart is evil from his youth; nor will I again destroy every living thing as I have done.

Eze 18:20 The soul who sins shall die. The son shall not bear the guilt of the father, nor the father bear the guilt of the son. The righteousness of the righteous shall be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon himself.

Mt 18:2 Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them,
:3 and said, "Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.

WHY I AM A MEMBER OF THE CHURCH OF CHRIST

• 22 Because it teaches that the miraculous manifestations of the Spirit have ceased

miracle - a surprising and welcome event that is not explicable by natural or scientific laws and is therefore considered to be the work of a divine agency:

"the miracle of rising from the grave"

WHY MIRACLES in 1st CENTURY?

• Jesus' miracles established his divinity
• Jesus' miracles produced faith
• God's will was preached and recorded for future generations

Why are there NO miracles today?

1Corinthians 13:8 Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away.
9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part.
10 But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.

Eph 3:20 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,
21 to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

WHY I AM A MEMBER OF THE CHURCH OF CHRIST

• 23 Because of the scriptural teaching and observance of the Lord's Supper

The Lord's Supper is a memorial

1Co 11:25 In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me."
26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death till He comes.

Acts 20:7 Now on the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul, ready to depart the next day, spoke to them and continued his message until midnight.

WHY I AM A MEMBER OF THE CHURCH OF CHRIST

• 24 Because it has scriptural music in the worship

There are at least 9 NT references to music being made by singing.

Mt 26:30, Acts 6:25, Rom 15:9, 1 Cor 14:15, Eph 5:19, Col 3:16, Heb 2:12, Heb 13:15, James 5:13

Untitled Slide

John Calvin, Adam Clarke, John Wesley, Martin Luther, John Knox, Charles Spurgeon all spoke negatively on instruments of worship

John Wesley - "I have no objection to instruments of music, in our chapels, provided they are neither heard nor seen." Clarke's Commentary, Vol IV p 686

WHY I AM A MEMBER OF THE CHURCH OF CHRIST

• 25 Because salvation is in Christ's church.

Acts 20:28 Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.

Eph 5:23 For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body.

Col 1:18 And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.

IF we can be saved outside the church, Christ's suffering on the cross was unnecessary.

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BECOME A CHRISTIAN
Hear Him (Romans 10:17)
Believe Him (Mark 16:16)
Repent Of Sins Against Him
(Acts 2:38)
Confess Him (Acts 8:37)
Be Baptized Into Him (Romans 6:3)
Live For Him (Galatians 2:20)
-------------------------------
COME HOME AS AN ERRING CHILD OF GOD
Come Back To Him (Matthew 11:28-30)
Repent (Acts 8:22)
Pray (James 5:16)
Live For Him (Galatians 2:20)

BECOME A CHRISTIAN
Hear Him (Romans 10:17)
Believe Him (Mark 16:16)
Repent Of Sins Against Him
(Acts 2:38)
Confess Him (Acts 8:37)
Be Baptized Into Him (Romans 6:3)
Live For Him (Galatians 2:20)
-------------------------------
COME HOME AS AN ERRING CHILD OF GOD
Come Back To Him (Matthew 11:28-30)
Repent (Acts 8:22)
Pray (James 5:16)
Live For Him (Galatians 2:20)

Untitled Slide