The reasons I am a member of the church as God would have it
The right authority
- Acts 20
- II Timothy 3:16-17
- II Peter 1:3
- Jude 1:3 – “the faith,” delivered once for all
- John 14:26
- II John 1:9
The right name
The right plan of salvation
- Matthew 7:24 – One must hear and obey.
- Romans 10:17 – Faith comes from hearing, and hearing from the word of God.
- John 8:24 – One must believe.
- Faith must be active. He must confess faith in Jesus.
- Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38 – Baptism is required. The gift of the Holy Spirit is salvation.
- I Peter 3:21
The right congregational worship
- Acts 20:7 – “on the first day of the week,” “Paul preached”
- I Corinthians 14:26
- Singing – Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16
- Prayer – I Timothy 1:8; Acts 2:42
- Lord’s Supper - I Corinthians 11:25-26
- Giving – I Corinthians 16:1-2
- This is the only way a local church is authorized to purpose to make money to do the work God has specified.
The right congregational work
- Support preaching - I Corinthians 9:6-14
- Benevolence under some circumstances
- Discipline under particular circumstances – I Corinthians 5