Lesson 1 - You people in the Church of Christ think you're the only ones going to Heaven
Most individuals who are a part of denominationalism will use this statement and it will be used as a weapon to derail you and get you flustered and angry (sounds like the work of Satan to me). Whole religious groups are TAUGHT how to use this argument to combat a member of the church of Christ and their teachings. If you don't think this is so, read the book The Truth About the Church of Christ by Dr. Hugh Pyle. Dr. Pyle, a Baptist Pastor and professor, writes that our arrogance and ignorance have led us to believe that only those who gather Sundays at a building labeled with a Church of Christ sign will see God in eternity. He teaches this to use as a weapon to destroy our effectiveness in teaching and spreading the truth. Brothers and Sisters since we know it's coming let's get ready for it!
a. Explain to them the scriptures are plain in that God has a clear plan, which He has given us, and that we must obey it and even God, who can not lie, is bound to enforce it (memorize - Titus 1:2). Most people know that God is a loving God, but they falsely extend that love by reasoning in their mind that He would never send anyone to Hell for eternity. If God does not send unbelieving, unrepentant and disobedient people to Hell, then He will be a liar and this is just not possible. God is a just God who will reward those who seek Him and turn from them who do not.
b. Explain to them that we, like everyone else are not perfect, and do not profess to be such (memorize - Romans 3:23). We realize that sin has separated every human from God and that only through Christ's blood can we be cleansed and made pure once again before Him and this is the only way we may come to Him.
c. Explain to them that our belief system is not one of self-righteousness, but one of absolute obedience (memorize - John 14:15). God's love toward us is unconditional, but our love back to Him bears the responsibility of obedience. This responsibility lies within doing as we have been told; exactly how we were told; for the reasons we were told to do them. If we fail to do so, we show a lack of love and respect for God.
d. Although they have most likely been taught or heard this from some denominational source, most people don't know why they use this augment (and this is an argument, not a question). Explain to them that this statement is used against the church of Christ because of our stance on the necessity of baptism for the remission of sin and thus salvation. Show them the scriptures contained in lesson 2 that point to this as the truth.
e. Once you have established points a, b, c and d, and they are well received explain that the Bible teaches there is indeed only one church (memorize - Ephesians 4:4-6). It is difficult for society to grasp that truth is absolute and not relative. This thought process goes against today's religious, political and social standards. If the Bible says there is one church, and of course it does, and if there are many different groups calling themselves churches, and there are, then either the Bible is wrong or society's view is. Explain that since there are so many "churches" there can be only one Biblically sound explanation, either one is right or none of them are (memorize - 2 Peter 1:20). Sum up the thought by telling them this is what the church of Christ strives to be, the one true church of the Bible. Some will view this as divisive. Explain that this couldn't be further from the truth because we are striving for a single church with EVERYONE included. We aspire to have all Christians teach, worship and live the same way, exactly as the Bible says (memorize - 1 Corinthians 1:10).
Let's be prepared to answer this and all questions with God' word.
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Most individuals who are a part of denominationalism will use this statement and it will be used as a weapon to derail you and get you flustered and angry (sounds like the work of Satan to me). Whole religious groups are TAUGHT how to use this argument to combat a member of the church of Christ and their teachings. If you don't think this is so, read the book The Truth About the Church of Christ by Dr. Hugh Pyle. Dr. Pyle, a Baptist Pastor and professor, writes that our arrogance and ignorance have led us to believe that only those who gather Sundays at a building labeled with a Church of Christ sign will see God in eternity. He teaches this to use as a weapon to destroy our effectiveness in teaching and spreading the truth. Brothers and Sisters since we know it's coming let's get ready for it!
a. Explain to them the scriptures are plain in that God has a clear plan, which He has given us, and that we must obey it and even God, who can not lie, is bound to enforce it (memorize - Titus 1:2). Most people know that God is a loving God, but they falsely extend that love by reasoning in their mind that He would never send anyone to Hell for eternity. If God does not send unbelieving, unrepentant and disobedient people to Hell, then He will be a liar and this is just not possible. God is a just God who will reward those who seek Him and turn from them who do not.
b. Explain to them that we, like everyone else are not perfect, and do not profess to be such (memorize - Romans 3:23). We realize that sin has separated every human from God and that only through Christ's blood can we be cleansed and made pure once again before Him and this is the only way we may come to Him.
c. Explain to them that our belief system is not one of self-righteousness, but one of absolute obedience (memorize - John 14:15). God's love toward us is unconditional, but our love back to Him bears the responsibility of obedience. This responsibility lies within doing as we have been told; exactly how we were told; for the reasons we were told to do them. If we fail to do so, we show a lack of love and respect for God.
d. Although they have most likely been taught or heard this from some denominational source, most people don't know why they use this augment (and this is an argument, not a question). Explain to them that this statement is used against the church of Christ because of our stance on the necessity of baptism for the remission of sin and thus salvation. Show them the scriptures contained in lesson 2 that point to this as the truth.
e. Once you have established points a, b, c and d, and they are well received explain that the Bible teaches there is indeed only one church (memorize - Ephesians 4:4-6). It is difficult for society to grasp that truth is absolute and not relative. This thought process goes against today's religious, political and social standards. If the Bible says there is one church, and of course it does, and if there are many different groups calling themselves churches, and there are, then either the Bible is wrong or society's view is. Explain that since there are so many "churches" there can be only one Biblically sound explanation, either one is right or none of them are (memorize - 2 Peter 1:20). Sum up the thought by telling them this is what the church of Christ strives to be, the one true church of the Bible. Some will view this as divisive. Explain that this couldn't be further from the truth because we are striving for a single church with EVERYONE included. We aspire to have all Christians teach, worship and live the same way, exactly as the Bible says (memorize - 1 Corinthians 1:10).
Let's be prepared to answer this and all questions with God' word.
"In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;"
"For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;"
"If ye love me, keep my commandments."
"There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;" "One Lord, one faith, one baptism," "One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all."
"Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation."
"Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment."
