• Blessings we have in Christ:
  • Salvation – Acts 4:12; John 12:27
  • Redemption – Ephesians 1:7; Hebrews 10:4-5
  • Forgiveness – Colossians 1:14
  • New creature – II Corinthians 5:17
  • Child of God – Galatians 3:26-27
  • All spiritual blessings – Ephesians 1:3
• In order to be in Christ:
  • Hear the message – Romans 10:17
  • Believe – John 8:24; Romans 1:16
  • Repent – Acts 2:38; 17:30
  • Confess – Romans 10:10; Acts 8:37
  • Baptized – Romans 6:3; Galatians 3:27
  • Walk in the light – I John 1:7; Philippians 3:14

• Isaiah 5:20
• Step back and verify: just what is the truth?
  • What is the truth about homosexuality?
    • Romans 1:26-28; I Corinthians 6:9; I Timothy 1:10
  • What is the truth about evolution?
    • Genesis 1:1,5,27,31-2:2; Exodus 20:9-11
  • What is the truth about abortion?
    • Luke 2:12,16 – brephos – Luke 1:41,44
    • Luke 1:57 – huios – Luke 1:36
    • Exodus 21:22-25; I Corinthians 6:19-20
• Draw courage from the faithful people of the Bible
  • Noah – Genesis 6:5-9
  • Jeremiah – Jeremiah 6:14; 21:8-10; 20:1-2; 26:11; 32:2; 36:23; 38:6; 43:2-3
  • Daniel – Daniel 6:3-5
  • Apostles – Matthew 10:14; 18:22
  • Paul – Acts 22:24-29
  • Brethren – I Peter 5:9
• Fix your hope on God
  • I Peter 5:10-11
  • I Timothy 6:17-19
  • Acts 5:41
  • II Thessalonians 1:4-8

• Mark 12:1-12 – Parable of the vine-growers
• Mark 12:13-17 – The Pharisees and Herodians question Jesus about paying taxes to Caesar
• Mark 12:18-27 – The Sadducees question Jesus about marriage in the afterlife
• Mark 12:28-34 – The scribes question Jesus about the greatest commandment
• Mark 12:35-37 – Jesus is more than just the son of David – He is deity.

• God’s one true church has distinct characteristics that distinguish it from the denominations of man.

• If a church preaches and practices what is taught in the NT, it is of Christ. Being of Christ or not is not determined by what is on the sign in front of the building.

• The local church

Characteristics

Per scripture

Catholic

Baptist

Assembly of God

Church of Christ

church of Christ

Authority

New Testament

No

No

No

?

Yes

Name

church of Christ

No

No

Yes

Yes

Yes

Plan of salvation

Hear, believe, repent, confess, be baptized

No

No

No

Yes

Yes

Order of worship

Sing, pray, teach, Lord’s Supper, give

No

No

No

Yes

Yes

Work

Preach gospel, benevolence, discipline

No

No

No

No

Yes

Organization

Local church

No

No

No

No

Yes