• Lesson 1, continued:
    • New Testament church – its creed (source of authority)
      • We must of necessity put aside all creeds that have begun since the days of the apostles (continued):
        • Augsburg Confession of Faith (1530 A.D.) – over 1400 years too late
        • Westminster Confession of Faith (1550 A.D.) – over 1500 years too late
        • All others of a later date
      • Paul tells us that their source of authority was the inspired Scripture (II Timothy 3:16-17)
        • II John 9. The Scripture makes the man of God complete and furnishes him unto every good work. Therefore, the teacher is fully equipped with the Scripture. He needs nothing more.
      • See also II Peter 1:3 and Jude 3.
    • No one who really believes the Bible is the all sufficient Word of God will feel a need for human creeds.
    • Conclusion: Regardless of what good traits a church may have, if its practice in whole or in part, is based upon the creeds of man, it is not the local church as described in the New Testament.
  • Lesson 2
    • Another identifying characteristic of a local church is the name or descriptive phrase by which it is identified.
    • The church universal (Ephesians 3:14-15; Hebrews 12:23)
      • Church of Christ – Christ’s church (Matthew 16:18)
      • Kingdom of Christ (Colossians 1:13)
      • Body of Christ (I Corinthians 12:27)
      • Temple of God (I Peter 2:5; Ephesians 2:21)
      • House of God – Family of God (I Timothy 3:15; Ephesians 3:15)
      • Christ’s fold – flock (John 10:16)
    • The local church
      • Church of God (I Corinthians 1:2)
      • Church of Christ (Romans 16:16)
      • Church of the Lord (Acts 20:28, ASV)
      • Flock (Acts 20:28; I Peter 5:2)
    • Note: Any descriptive phrase used in the New Testament to designate the Lord’s church always points ownership to heaven.