The churches of Christ, Romans 16:16
1) “The churches of Christ salute” [greet] you,” Romans 16:16.
2) This church also has no absolute name.
a) In Romans 16:16 we have a description instead of a name for the New Testament church.
b) Saying Paul used a description rather than a name may seem like a small point, but it is an important point.
3) What if instead of saying “the churches of Christ,” Paul had said “the churches of Satan”?
a) In Rev. 2:9 John spoke about a “synagogue of Satan.”
b) Synagogue of Satan was not an official name.
c) Synagogue of Satan shows ownership.
4) Christians have been asked “which church they belong to” as if God allows us to choose one among many.
5) If we answer “church of Christ, we often leave the impression that the churches of Christ are a denomination.
6) The church of God or the church of Christ is composed of one body, but it does meet in multiple places.
7) Because the New Testament church is in various parts of the world, it may be identified by location.
8) In the first century Christians spoke about the “church of the Laodiceans” (Col. 4:16).
9) The “churches of Galatia” are mentioned in 1 Cor. 16:1. The “churches of Asia” are referenced in 1 Cor. 16:19.
10) The New Testament church may even be identified by who is in it.
11) In Rom. 16:4 we read about the “churches of the Gentiles.
12) There is only one “church of Christ” (New Testament church).
13) In many parts of the world, however, this one church has numerous congregations.
IN OUR WORLD MOST UNDERSTAND WHAT THE BIBLE REFERS TO AS THE “SEED PRINCIPLE.” IN THE FIRST CHAPTER OF THE BIBLE (GEN. 1:21) WE FIND THREE KEY WORDS: “AFTER ITS KIND.”
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1) In the spiritual realm God has given us some seed.
a) In Mk. 4:2 we find that Jesus was teaching many things by using parables.
b) In verse 3 the Lord spoke about a man who “went forth to sow” (this man was going to put some seed into the ground).
2) Some of this man’s seed (verse 4) fell into places where it was unable to grow and birds ate it.
3) Other seed sprouted quickly but didn’t have enough earth to continue growing (verses 5-6).
4) There was even seed that fell among thorns; this was choked out and died (verse 7).
5) Some seed got into the right place and it became very productive (verse 8).
6) Verse 10 tells us that Jesus was asked “by the twelve” about His teaching.
7) Verse 14 informs us the Lord was not talking about seeds from the physical realm – READ
8) Notice verse 15 – READ
9) If Satan cannot strip the Bible from the hands of people, his next best option is to corrupt it.
10) Some here may have heard about the Queen James Bible.
11) Satan will use whatever tools he has to turn people away from the truth and the Lord’s church.
a) If the seed – the Word of God – is planted, what will be produced?
b) If everyone is teaching the Word of God, will there be different ideas about baptism?
c) If we are all truly teaching from the same book, can there be different ideas about what day to worship on?
d) There will be unity of doctrine if we are all working with the pure seed (just the Word of God).
12) When people ask which church we are a member of, we need to tell them the one built by Christ.
13) We are members of the church described in the Bible.
14) We are not, as some have said, a “church of Christer.”
15) We are also not, as some have suggested, “Campbellites.”
