Why are non-denominational churches rising? Most believers are seeking unity upon the foundation of Jesus Christ. Many are searching for churches that are Christ-centered with the least common denominator. With one church with one head who is Jesus Christ, there is no denominator other than people. Where is the church that Christ built and bought with His blood? This series of messages turns to the Scriptures for the distinctive nature of the church.
Lesson #1: Distinctives of the Church
This message challenges believers to follow Christ to His church. Today, many people prefer non-denominational churches with few distinctions to be more accepting and less restricting. Who wants to question their family church and traditions? However, Christians cannot compromise the church of Christ built upon faith in Jesus as the Son of God. This message draws commands from the Scriptures to observe and maintain the traditions that come from Christ and His apostles. Distinctive characteristics set the church in the New Testament apart from many churches today.
Lesson #2: The Foundation of the Church
Jesus declared, “I will build my church.” Jesus promised to build His church — the congregation of His followers. Jesus spoke of His church built upon the rock of faith that He is the Christ, the Son of the living God. According to Scripture, Jesus’s apostles and prophets form the foundation with Jesus as its cornerstone. The foundation of the apostles and prophets is God’s revealed message to the faithful. In the Bible, many churches like today drifted from the teachings of Christ and His apostles and prophets. However, that foundation can and does unite churches today. This message continues a series of lessons encouraging all Christians stand on the foundation that Christ set for the church.
Lesson #3: The Church Are Those in Christ
Being a member of a community requires some commitment and certain responsibilities. To be in the church, a believer must be in Christ. The Bible tells of salvation that is only in Christ. Who is in Christ? Not everyone who claims to be a Christian is a Christian. The apostle Paul revealed the way in which believers are baptized in Christ. This message turns to the Scriptures to understand that the church are those in Christ.
Lesson #4: The Oneness of the Church
In the first century, the church in the city of Corinth divided according to teachers. They quarreled and forgot that they all united in Christ. While this church denominated, Paul identified them as “of Christ.” Twenty centuries later, the church faces the same problems. Christians must learn from the apostle Paul not to accept such division or even agree to disagree. He exhorted this church to unite in the same mind and same judgment. The church has teachings from Christ and His apostles that are essential to its oneness. This message encourages those points of unity, and that Christians can and must maintain unity.