Volume  3    Issue   13  February 2nd, 2003

A publication of the:
Butler church of Christ

Our meeting location is:
201 5th Ave.
Butler, PA 16001
724-287-0628 (building) / 724-282-9417 (home/office)

Assembling Times:
Sunday Bible Class - 9:30 AM
Sunday Worship – 10:30 AM
Wednesday Bible Class – 7:00 PM
 

Editor / Preacher –
Brian A. Yeager
 

Check out the web site:

http://www.wordsoftruth.net

    Many brethren have slacked off when it comes to preaching on the identity of the Lord’s church.  It is evident when you find many in the body of Christ not realizing that Christ established His church and that His church is the only church we read about in the New Testament (Matthew 16:18, Ephesians 1:22-23, Ephesians 4:4, Ephesians 5:23, and Romans 16:16).  Since there is a lack of teaching on the subject brethren are evolving more and more into made man creeds and outright denominationalism.  The goal of this article is to prove that it is necessary to preach on the one church.

    Most Gospel preachers have at one time or another preached on the Parable of the Sower.  However, many have never focused on a part of that Parable that shows the church must be preached to potential converts.  (Matthew 13:19) “When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side.”  Notice that the Lord did not say if one hears the word of the Kingdom, He used the word “when”.  The Lord expects folks to hear about the kingdom.  He says if they do not understand the word of the kingdom that this is the seed by the way side.

    What does that do to folks who are taught that the body of Christ includes various denominational churches?  What does that do to churches formed out of movements?  What does that do to anyone taught that a church other than the church  of Christ is acceptable unto God?  It makes that person one who has not been properly taught.  We obey doctrine when we are taught (Romans 6:16-17).  Truth is what sets one free (John 8:32).  Christ expected people to know that they would be added to His church upon conversion (Acts 2:47), and that is why we find examples of men preaching on the church in the First Century.

    Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit would come and guide the disciples in all truth (John 16:13).  The Holy Spirit came upon the Apostles and the Lord’s promise was kept (Acts 2:1-4).  One great example of this is Philip.  When he was in Samaria he preached about the church [kingdom].  Notice: Acts 8:12 “But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.”  The record says he preached Christ unto them (Acts 8:5).  Could we conclude that preaching Christ includes preaching on the church?  Of course we can.  How can you preach Christ without preaching his body, which is His church (Colossians 1:18)?  We can also find another great example of what was preached in the first century through the Apostle Paul.  (Acts 28:30-31) “And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him, Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him.”  Why did Paul preach on the church?  Because Christ promised that before AD 70 [the destruction of the temple] the whole world would hear the gospel of the kingdom (Matthew 24:14).
Conclusion

    The Baptist church, Methodist church, Catholic church, Christian church, and the other thousands of denominations are all man made, in opposition to the one church Christ built, and hell bound.  There was one church / kingdom promised (Isaiah 2:2-3, Daniel 2:44-45, Daniel 7:14, and Micah 4:1-2).  Christ promised it would come during the First Century with power (Mark 9:1).  All prophesies and signs point to Jerusalem in AD 33, and that is when power was brought by the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8 and Acts 2:1-4).  That is when repentance and remission of sins was taught (Luke 24:47 and Acts 2:38).  That is when the Lord added the saved to the church (Acts 2:47).  Why would anyone not want to teach that great and precious truth?

    Brethren often ask: “how can we prevent the spread of denominationalism in the church?”  The answer: follow Christ by preaching on the church (Matthew 3:2, Matthew 4:17, and Matthew 4:23).  Realize what Christ taught in the Parable of the Sower – you must understand the word of the kingdom.  Members of the body of Christ need to start telling others to realize there is only one church.  If we won’t preach on the “oneness” of the church, people will not be saved.  The church is what the Lord is coming back to save (I Corinthians 15:24-28 and Ephesians 5:23).  Why would anyone not see the necessity of preaching that?  All points we have covered today show the necessity of preaching on the identity of the only church; the church of Christ.  Will you follow the commands of God (Matthew 7:21 and James 2:10)?

Quick Notes

Those In Need of Our Prayers:
Marie Glunt (a friend of the Papp’s who has been diagnosed with Cancer), Nancy Green (Barb’s cousin who has cancer), Terry Nannie is out of town, Anne Williams (friend of the Lockwood’s / member of the Lord’s body is having knee problems and multiple surgeries), and Joan Croyle.

Ladies Class:
The ladies will meet at Kim Lockwood’s home next Sunday at 2:00 PM.  See Kim for details.