- 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)
- If started before Christ’s death, it would be:
- 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.
- No. (Benchley started October 1991 with 14 members in Joe Harding’s garage.)
- 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.