REASONS FOR STUDYING Centreville Church of Christ The

REASONS FOR STUDYING Centreville Church of Christ “The Lovingness Church in the Brotherhood” 1

REASONS FOR STUDYING The Word of Truth Two Basic Reasons: 1. For Personal examination “Study to show thyself approved…” II Timothy 2: 15 2. For Religious examination “Examine yourselves whether ye be in the faith. ” II Corinthians 13: 5 2

Av REASONS FOR STUDYING oi d m isg ui da nc Pr ov er bs g e 14 : 1 by f 2 ee lin The Word of Truth gs in ort pp su d i o Av n oh II J ine tr oc d se fal 1 -1 9 : 1 Avoid vain worship Avoid blind guidance Two Basic Reasons: 1. For Personal examination Matthew 15: 14 Matthew 15: 8 -9 II Timothy 2: 15 Av 2. For Religious examination fa lie so : 1 r 2 e g n ns a a i d n e lo h t a id ss o e Av Th 0 - 12 II Corinthians 13: 5 oid M at th ew 7: br 13 oa d -2 3 wa yo fr eli 3 gio n

THE BROAD WAY OF RELIGION Matthew 7: 13 -23 DE WI “Many there be which Many will say unto me in that day BROAD Preached false prophets v. 15 GA TE go in there at v. 13 “Have we not wonderful works cast out devils “lord, lord Vain Worship v. 21 in thy name. ” Godley Living in Vain v. 22 … and then will I profess unto them I never knew you v. 23 4

TWO PRINCIPLES FOR UNDERSTANDING…. THE WORD OF TRUTH 1. The Principle of Unity A. The New Testament Example of Unity W ID E First century Christians were… 1. Commanded to be one. I Corinthians 1: 10 2. Walked by the same rule. Philippians 3: 16 3. Maintained a complete (seven-fold) system of unity. Ephesians 4: 1 -6 2. The principle of Division “Where There is Division There Is False Teaching” ONE BODY (Church) ONE SPIRIT (Holy Spirit) ONE HOPE (Eternal Life) E T A G ONE LORD (Jesus Christ) ONE FAITH (Doctrine of Christ) ONE BAPTISM (Burial in water) ONE GOD (The Father) 5

TWO PRINCIPLES FOR UNDERSTANDING…. THE WORD OF TRUTH 1. The Principle of Unity John 17: 21 A. The New Testament Example of Unity ONE CHURCH ONE SPIRIT ONE HOPE ONE LORD ONE FAITH ONE BAPTISM ONE GOD W 2. The principle of Division ID E A. New Testament warnings about the coming of different faiths 1. Paul’s warning to Timothy 1 Tim 4: 1 -3 2. Peter’s warning to Christians in Asia 2 Peter: 2: 1 -2 3. The parable of Christ concerning bad seed Matt. 13: 24 -30 E T GA 6

TWO PRINCIPLES FOR UNDERSTANDING…. THE WORD OF TRUTH 1. The Principle of Unity John 17: 17 A. The New Testament Example of Unity ONE CHURCH ONE SPIRIT ONE HOPE ONE LORD ONE FAITH ONE BAPTISM ONE GOD W 2. The principle of Division ID E B. The seed principles for identifying false teachers “Ye shall know them by their fruit” Matt. 7: 15 -16 (see next slide) E T GA 7

GOD’S LAW OF PROCREATION Every seed must bring forth after its kind (Gen. 1: 11) The Sower The Seed Principle Farmer plum seed The Result (pure) peach seed Horticulturalist Peaches cross-breeding (hybridization) (mixed) or cross-pollination The Holy Spirit (teachers) THE WORD Luke 8: 11 Plums PURE SEED 1 Peter 1: 23 Satanic forces Seed mixed with teachings of men produces False Teachings Matthew 13: 1 -7 Varieties Kingdom of Heaven One Church One Spirit One Hope One Lord One Faith One Baptism One God Denominations (Luke 11: 17) Division 1 Cor. 1: 10 8

TWO PRINCIPLES FOR UNDERSTANDING…. False Way W THE WAY OF TRUTH ID E BROAD ONE CHURCH ONE SPIRIT ONE HOPE ONE LORD ONE FAITH ONE BAPTISM ONE GOD E T GA WAY False Teaching 9

REASONS YOU SHOULD CHOOSE TO BE… IN CHRIST THE WAY OF TRUTH 10

AL L EP SIX REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD BE… SP IR IT HE SI AN S UA L RE BL ES SI 1: NG S 3 IN CHRIST W E AN TU A RE C 7 : 1 5 s ian h t in r o 2 C SALVATION The Church The Truth (deliverance) FORGIVENESS OF SINS EPHESIANS 1: 7 II Tim 2: 10 Doctrine of Christ N IO T A N M E 1 D 8: N S N CO A M NO O R ET IJ ER OH N NA L 5: 11 -1 2 LI FE 11

WHAT IT MEANS TO BE… IN CHRIST The Church Eph. 1: 22 -23 = The Truth John 14: 6 Doctrine of Christ II John 1: 9 12

FIVE STEPS YOU MUST TAKE TO GET… INTO CHRIST The Church The Truth Doctrine of Christ Baptize 5. Acts 2: 38 Confess Repent 4. Romans 10: 9 3. Luke 13: 3 Believe Hear 2. Mark 16: 15 -16 1. Romans 10: 17 13