Which Church Is

1
Which Church Is My Church

• What do you think people really think of, when
  they use the phrase MY/YOUR CHURCH?
• Some uses of the phrase may not be that big a
  problem, but others, denote a real problem.
• Generally speaking, perhaps they mean where they
  attend regularly to worship God. But I also
  know, that some are talking about a place where
  they worship God, as they choose or please, and
  that does denote a problem.
• How do YOU use the phrase in your conversations?

2
My Church Biblically

• The phrase is Biblical, Mt. 1618, And I say
  also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon
  this rock I will build my church and the gates
  of hell shall not prevail against it. Jesus
  says that upon the confession of Peter, this
  rock, He would build HIS church. (That
  confession in vs. 15.)
• The phrase denotes ownership, that Jesus owned
  this church. It is His possession.
• HIS church is such that hell shall not prevail
  against it, meaning that His death will not
  prevent its origin.
• His church would be according to HIS design, not
  mans, as directed by His Father in Heaven.

3
Your Church

• I could not venture a guess of the number of
  times someone asked me What does your church
  believe? This denotes that many see differences
  in the churches of the world, and the concept
  is that they belong to people.
• Many speak of the church of your choice. But
  the concept is foreign to the Bible.
• The Bible speaks of various religions, ie. Pagan,
  Jewish, and the Church. Pagan, or idolatry,
  for generations were for those who werent Jews.
  To be Jewish, one was born into the family of a
  Jew. Generations down the line, people outside
  of the Jewish family lines would chose to live
  according to the Law of Moses, as a proselyte.
  But the church was anyone who chose to live after
  the teachings of Christ, and His apostles!

4
The Bible Church

• Biblically, the church was simple, all practicing
  the same things, those teachings of Christ, and
  the 14 apostles.
• You never read of various churches. You never
  read of various beliefs or belief systems.
  In fact, Paul, indirectly, challenged that
  concept in 1 Cor. 113, Is Christ divided? was
  Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized into
  the name of Paul? His points were there were no
  divisions of Christs church, or other means of
  baptism into His church. Since no divisions,
  there would be no denominations.
• Read John 17, where the Lord prayed, that there
  be no divisions, but unity within His church.

5
His Church

• His church, the Bible church, all did/taught the
  same things. 1 Cor. 110 says, Now I beseech
  you, brethren, through the name of our Lord Jesus
  Christ, that ye all speak the same thing and that
  there be no divisions among you but that ye be
  perfected together in the same mind and in the
  same judgment.
• As Paul, and Christians would travel from place
  to place, assembling with the church in other
  areas, they found them all teaching the same
  doctrines, and worshiping in the same manner, all
  according to the Word from God. 2 Tim. 316, All
  scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is
  profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for
  correction, for instruction in righteousness
• In essence, they practiced what the Bible
  taught. But what did that consist of?

6
Characteristics of the Bible Church

• First, we look about being part of the church!
• Acts 247 teaches that the Lord adds you to His
  church after certain criteria have been met,
  Praising God, and having favour with all the
  people. And the Lord added to the church daily
  such as should be saved.
• These were told what they were to do to be added,
  vs. 38, Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and
  be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus
  Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall
  receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

7
Characteristics of the Bible Church

• First, we look about being part of the church!
• Acts 247 teaches that the Lord adds you to His
  church after certain criteria have been met.
  These were told what they were to do to be added,
  vs. 38, Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and
  be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus
  Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall
  receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
• Those who were ready to follow Christ obeyed, and
  continued to obey His teachings, vs. 41,42, Then
  they that gladly received his word were baptized
  and the same day there were added unto them about
  three thousand souls. And they continued
  stedfastly in the apostles doctrine and
  fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in
  prayers.

8
Characteristics of the Bible Church

• First, we look about being part of the church!
• Next, the worship of HIS church was all the same
  everywhere. It consisted of 5 things and is
  specific!
• The passage in Acts mentions these apostles
  doctrine, fellowship (singing), breaking of bread
  (Lords Supper), and prayer. The 5th is added
  later, that of give as prospered or giving.
• Each of these were specific in design and
  purpose, and were not to be abused. Many today
  have abused them.
• Lets look at these in the order listed above!
  In doing so, we will notice how religious men
  have abused each of these.

9
His Worship for His Church

• Jesus taught proper worship of God, Jn. 424,
  God is a Spirit and they that worship him must
  worship him in spirit and in truth.
• His worship must be according to truth, but many
  today will not consider the truth behind their
  practice, thus the lack of truth in doing so.
• Teaching the doctrine. We must have scripture
  supporting the doctrine we teach, Gal. 16-9.
• 6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him
  that called you into the grace of Christ unto
  another gospel
• 7 Which is not another but there be some that
  trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of
  Christ.

10
His Worship for His Church

• Jesus taught proper worship of God, Jn. 424,
  God is a Spirit and they that worship him must
  worship him in spirit and in truth.
• His worship must be according to truth, but many
  today will not consider the truth behind their
  practice, thus the lack of truth in doing so.
• Teaching the doctrine. We must have scripture
  supporting the doctrine we teach, Gal. 16-9.
• 8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach
  any other gospel unto you than that which we have
  preached unto you, let him be accursed.
• 9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any
  man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye
  have received, let him be accursed.

11
His Worship for His Church

• Jesus taught proper worship of God, Jn. 424,
  God is a Spirit and they that worship him must
  worship him in spirit and in truth.
• His worship must be according to truth, but many
  today will not consider the truth behind their
  practice, thus the lack of truth in doing so.
• Teaching the doctrine. We must have scripture
  supporting the doctrine we teach, Gal. 16-9.
• Also, women were not allowed to teach/preach
  publicly, 1 Tim.212, But I suffer not a woman
  to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man,
  but to be in silence.
• Singing was simply that with the Lord, with no
  instruments of music. 1 Cor. 1415, What is it
  then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will
  pray with the understanding also I will sing
  with the spirit, and I will sing with the
  understanding also.

12
His Worship for His Church

• Jesus taught proper worship of God, Jn. 424,
  God is a Spirit and they that worship him must
  worship him in spirit and in truth.
• His worship must be according to truth, but many
  today will not consider the truth behind their
  practice, thus the lack of truth in doing so.
• Teaching the doctrine. We must have scripture
  supporting the doctrine we teach, Gal. 16-9. 1
  Tim. 212
• Singing was simply that with the Lord, with no
  instruments of music. 1 Cor. 1415, What is it
  then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will
  pray with the understanding also I will sing
  with the spirit, and I will sing with the
  understanding also.
• We teach with song, Eph. 519, Col. 316, Heb.
  212, Mt. 2630.

13
Singing

• 19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns
  and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in
  your heart to the Lord
• 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in
  all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another
  in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing
  with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
• 12 Saying, I will declare thy name unto my
  brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing
  praise unto thee.
• 30 And when they had sung a hymn, they went out
  unto the mount of Olives.

14
His Worship for His Church

• Jesus taught proper worship of God, Jn. 424,
  God is a Spirit and they that worship him must
  worship him in spirit and in truth.
• His worship must be according to truth, but many
  today will not consider the truth behind their
  practice, thus the lack of truth in doing so.
• Teaching the doctrine. We must have scripture
  supporting the doctrine we teach, Gal. 16-9. 1
  Tim. 212
• Singing was simply that with the Lord, with no
  instruments of music. 1 Cor. 1415, Eph. 519,
  Col. 316, Heb. 212, Mt. 2630.
• Lord Supper, the memorial of our Lords death,
  and the covenant with His brethren, consists of
  the fruit of the vine and unleaven bread. The
  church does not have common meals. Mt. 26
  26-29, 1 Cor. 11 20-34.

15
Lords Supper

• 19 For there must be also heresies among you,
  that they which are approved may be made manifest
  among you.
• 20 When ye come together therefore into one
  place, this is not to eat the Lords supper.
• 21 For in eating every one taketh before other
  his own supper and one is hungry, and another is
  drunken.
• 22 What? have ye not houses to eat and to drink
  in? or despise ye the church of God, and shame
  them that have not? What shall I say to you?
  shall I praise you in this? I praise you not.
• 23 For I have received of the Lord that which
  also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus
  the same night in which he was betrayed took
  bread

16
Lords Supper

• 24 And when he had given thanks, he brake it,
  and said, Take, eat this is my body, which is
  broken for you this do in remembrance of me.
• 25 After the same manner also he took the cup,
  when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new
  testament in my blood this do ye, as oft as ye
  drink it, in remembrance of me.
• 26 For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink
  this cup, ye do shew the Lords death till he
  come.
• 27 Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and
  drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be
  guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.
• 28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him
  eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.
• 29 For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily,
  eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not
  discerning the Lords body.

17
Lords Supper

• 30 For this cause many are weak and sickly among
  you, and many sleep.
• 31 For if we would judge ourselves, we should
  not be judged.
• 32 But when we are judged, we are chastened of
  the Lord, that we should not be condemned with
  the world.
• 33 Wherefore, my brethren, when ye come together
  to eat, tarry one for another.
• 34 And if any man hunger, let him eat at home
  that ye come not together unto condemnation. And
  the rest will I set in order when I come.

18
His Worship for His Church

• Jesus taught proper worship of God, Jn. 424,
  God is a Spirit and they that worship him must
  worship him in spirit and in truth.
• Teaching the doctrine. We must have scripture
  supporting the doctrine we teach, Gal. 16-9. 1
  Tim. 212
• Singing was simply that with the Lord, with no
  instruments of music. 1 Cor. 1415, Eph. 519,
  Col. 316, Heb. 212, Mt. 2630.
• Lord Supper, the memorial of our Lords death,
  and the covenant with His brethren, consists of
  the fruit of the vine and unleaven bread. The
  church does not have common meals. Mt. 26
  26-29, 1 Cor. 11 20-34.
• Prayer is our avenue to communicate with God. We
  give Him thanks, and make our requests which are
  in compliance with truth. Phil. 46, 1 Pet.
  312, Lk. 2242

19
Prayer

• 6 In nothing be anxious but in everything by
  prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let
  your requests be made known unto God.
• 12 For the eyes of the Lord are upon the
  righteous, And his ears unto their supplication
  But the face of the Lord is upon them that do
  evil.
• 42 saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove
  this cup from me nevertheless not my will, but
  thine, be done.

20
His Worship for His Church

• Teaching the doctrine. We must have scripture
  supporting the doctrine we teach, Gal. 16-9. 1
  Tim. 212
• Singing was simply that with the Lord, with no
  instruments of music. 1 Cor. 1415, Eph. 519,
  Col. 316, Heb. 212, Mt. 2630.
• Lord Supper, the memorial of our Lords death,
  and the covenant with His brethren, consists of
  the fruit of the vine and unleaven bread. The
  church does not have common meals. Mt. 26
  26-29, 1 Cor. 11 20-34.
• Prayer is our avenue to communicate with God. We
  give Him thanks, and make our requests which are
  in compliance with truth. Phil. 46, 1 Pet.
  312, Lk. 2242
• Giving is the means of funding the work of the
  church, on the 1st day of the week. 1 Cor.
  161-3, 2 Cor. 83-5, 2 Cor. 97.

21
Giving

• There were no pies or cake sales, just free will
  giving! No tithing envelopes or dues.
• 1 Now concerning the collection for the
  saints, as I have given order to the churches of
  Galatia, even so do ye.
• 2 Upon the first day of the week let every one
  of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered
  him, that there be no gatherings when I come.

22
Giving

• There were no pies or cake sales, just free will
  giving! No tithing envelopes or dues.
• 3 For according to their power, I bear witness,
  yea and beyond their power, they gave of their
  own accord,
• 4 beseeching us with much entreaty in regard of
  this grace and the fellowship in the ministering
  to the saints
• 5 and this, not as we had hoped, but first they
  gave their own selves to the Lord, and to us
  through the will of God.
• 7 Let each man do according as he hath purposed
  in his heart not grudgingly, or of necessity
  for God loveth a cheerful giver.

23
Conclusion

• We have just discovered what Jesus said was HIS
  CHURCH.
• If your church does not comply with these
  practices exactly, then your church is not His
  Church.
• It does not comply with the worship of God,
  because it is not complying with truth.
• The gates of hell will not prevail against His
  church, but will prevail against your church.
• Mt. 721 says, Not every one that saith unto me,
  Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of
  heaven but he that doeth the will of my Father
  which is in heaven.
• The choice is simple, not in a church, but in
  following Christ.