• Matthew 16:13-19 – Jesus promises to build His church
  • John 14:16
  • Christ promised to build His church and then purchased it with His own blood (Matthew 16:18; Acts 20:28)
  • There is one body (Ephesians 4:5; I Corinthians 12:27)
  • The body is the church (Ephesians 1:23; Colossians 1:18)
  • Therefore, there is one church that Christ built.
  • Some claim that John the Baptist started the church.
    • If started before Christ’s death, it would be:
      • A church that was not blood purchased (Acts 20:28)
      • A church without a head (Ephesians 1:23)
      • A church without a foundation (I Corinthians 3:11)
      • A church in which Christ could not be preached (Matthew 16:20; Luke 24:46-49)
      • A church without the Holy Spirit (John 7:39)
      • A church that Jesus does not save (Ephesians 5:23)
  • The time, place, and who will lead one to the place:
Time Place Who What
1530 Germany Luther Lutheran
1534 England Henry VIII Episcopal
1535 Switzerland Calvin Presbyterian
1607 England Smythe Baptist
1739 England Wesley Methodist
1830 New York Smith Mormon
1914 Arkansas Group Assembly of God
30-33 Jerusalem Christ Christ’s church
  • Which of the following fits the facts?
    • Time (Isaiah 2:2-3; Joel 2:28-32; Daniel 2:44; Acts 2:1-17,41,47)
    • Place (Isaiah 2:2-3; Isaiah 28:16; Zechariah 1:16; Acts 1:4; 2)
    • Who (Matthew 16:13-19; Acts 20:28; I Corinthians 3:11)
    • What (Acts 20:28; I Corinthians 1:2; I Timothy 3:15)
  • Was this congregation started on Pentecost in Jerusalem?
    • No. (Benchley started October 1991 with 14 members in Joe Harding’s garage.)
      • But the teaching and practices of this congregation were!
    • The local Mormon church was not started in 1830 in New York, but its teachings and practices were.
    • To be a Mormon church, a local church must conform to the teachings of the local church.
    • Just so, to be a church of Christ, a local church must conform to the teaching that started on Pentecost in Jerusalem by Christ.
  • Jesus saves the church
    • It took centuries for the Old Covenant to prepare for it.
    • It took the Son of God, the life He lived, His death, burial, resurrection, ascension, coronation, and becoming high priest to build it.
    • It took the Holy Spirit to reveal it.
    • It took the apostles to lay the foundation.