a striking contrast

A Striking A Striking ContrastContrast

New Testament New Testament ChristianityChristianity

vs.vs.

Man-made Man-made CounterfeitsCounterfeits

2

Change to Something Change to Something Better?Better?

““For no other foundation can For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.”laid, which is Jesus Christ.” (1 (1

Cor. 3:11)Cor. 3:11)

3

Change to Something Change to Something Better?Better?

“…“…to the intent that now to the intent that now thethe manifold wisdom of manifold wisdom of GodGod might be might be made made known by the churchknown by the church to to the principalities and the principalities and powers in the heavenly powers in the heavenly places...” places...” (Eph. (Eph. 3:10)3:10)

4

““Form of Form of doctrine”doctrine”

Rom. 6:17-18Rom. 6:17-18

““Form of Form of doctrine”doctrine”

Rom. 6:17-18Rom. 6:17-18

““Stand fast Stand fast and hold the and hold the

traditions traditions which you which you

were taught”were taught”2 Ths. 2:152 Ths. 2:15

““Stand fast Stand fast and hold the and hold the

traditions traditions which you which you

were taught”were taught”2 Ths. 2:152 Ths. 2:15

““Hold fast the Hold fast the pattern of pattern of

sound words” sound words” 2 Tim. 1:132 Tim. 1:13

““Hold fast the Hold fast the pattern of pattern of

sound words” sound words” 2 Tim. 1:132 Tim. 1:13

5

A Striking ContrastA Striking Contrast

NT NT ChristiaChristia

nitynityJno. Jno.

17:1717:17

Man-Man-made made

CounterfCounterfeitseitsCol. Col.

2:20-222:20-22But I make known to you, But I make known to you,

brethren, that the brethren, that the gospelgospel which which was preached by me is was preached by me is not not

according to manaccording to man. . (Gal. 1:11)(Gal. 1:11)

6

NT Christianity vs. Man-made NT Christianity vs. Man-made CounterfeitsCounterfeits

Christ: FounderChrist: FounderMatt. 16:16-18Matt. 16:16-18

Men start Men start

their their

churches churches

1 Cor. 3:111 Cor. 3:11

7


One body, one faith,One body, one faith,one baptismone baptismEph. 4:4-6Eph. 4:4-6

Many Many

bodies, bodies,

faiths & faiths &

baptismsbaptisms

8


Christ: ALL authorityChrist: ALL authorityMatt. 28:18; Col. 3:17Matt. 28:18; Col. 3:17

Authority Authority

vested in vested in

creeds, creeds,

councils…councils…

9


Name: ChristianName: ChristianIsa. 62:2; Acts 11:26Isa. 62:2; Acts 11:26

1 Pet. 4:161 Pet. 4:16

Names that Names that

glorify men, glorify men,

systems & systems &

doctrines doctrines

1 Co. 1:10-131 Co. 1:10-13

10


Scriptural nameScriptural namefor the churchfor the church

Rom. 16:16Rom. 16:16

Denom. Denom.

names & names &

designationsdesignations

11


Preach only onePreach only onegospel gospel (Jude 3)(Jude 3)

Gal. 1:8-10; Ac 20:27Gal. 1:8-10; Ac 20:27

Perverted, Perverted,

different different

gospelsgospels

12


Bible remains sameBible remains sameMatt. 24:35Matt. 24:35

1 Pet. 1:23-251 Pet. 1:23-25

Rewrite & Rewrite &

revise revise

creeds; new creeds; new

“revelation”“revelation”

13


Lord adds saved Lord adds saved to His churchto His church

Acts 2:47Acts 2:47

““Join” Join”

church of church of

your your

choicechoice

14


Sound doctrineSound doctrinenecessary for salvationnecessary for salvation

1 Tim. 4:16; 6:31 Tim. 4:16; 6:32 Tim. 1:13; 3:162 Tim. 1:13; 3:16

Doctrine Doctrine

unimportant unimportant

if honest & if honest &

sincere sincere

(2 Jno. 9)(2 Jno. 9)

15


All ChristiansAll Christiansare priestsare priests1 Pet. 2:5, 91 Pet. 2:5, 9

Clergy Clergy

& &

laity laity

Matt. 23:8-9Matt. 23:8-9

16


God is no respecterGod is no respecterof personsof persons

Acts 10:34-35Acts 10:34-35

““Reverend” Reverend”

“Father” “Father”

Psa. 111:9Psa. 111:9

17


Plurality of elders inPlurality of elders ineach churcheach church

Acts 14:23; 1 Pet. 5:2Acts 14:23; 1 Pet. 5:2

One One

“Pastor” “Pastor”

oversees oversees

each each

churchchurch

18


““Faith without worksFaith without worksis dead”is dead”

James 2:20, 26James 2:20, 26

““Faith only” Faith only”

saves saves

(Eph. 2:8-9)(Eph. 2:8-9)

19


““You have fallenYou have fallenfrom grace”from grace”

Gal. 5:4Gal. 5:4

Cannot fall Cannot fall

from grace from grace

(Heb.3:12ff)(Heb.3:12ff)

20


Lord’s supper eachLord’s supper eachLord’s dayLord’s day

Acts 2:42; 20:7Acts 2:42; 20:7

Custom Custom

& church & church

preferencepreference

21


Baptism is immersionBaptism is immersionin waterin water

Rom. 6:3-5; Acts 8:36Rom. 6:3-5; Acts 8:36

Sprinkle Sprinkle

or pour or pour

Holy SpiritHoly Spirit

22


Baptize repentantBaptize repentantbelieversbelievers

Mk. 16:16; Acts 2:38Mk. 16:16; Acts 2:38

Baptize Baptize

babies babies

Baptize for Baptize for

the deadthe dead

23


Baptize into Christ; Baptize into Christ; into His body, the churchinto His body, the church

Gal. 3:27; 1 Cor. 12:13Gal. 3:27; 1 Cor. 12:13

By vote, By vote,

probation, probation,

confirmation confirmation

(Acts 2:47)(Acts 2:47)

24


Live soberly, righteouslyLive soberly, righteouslyand godlyand godly

Tit. 2:11-12; Rom. 12:1-2Tit. 2:11-12; Rom. 12:1-2

Let Let

conscience conscience

guide guide

(Acts 23:1)(Acts 23:1)

25

Conform Conform hearts & hearts &

lives to NT lives to NT patternpattern

1 Jno. 1:7 1 Jno. 1:7 Matt. 11:28- Matt. 11:28-

3030

Conform Conform hearts & hearts &

lives to NT lives to NT patternpattern

1 Jno. 1:7 1 Jno. 1:7 Matt. 11:28- Matt. 11:28-

3030

Not by Not by changing the changing the church to suit church to suit our interestsour interests

Prv.14:12; Prv.14:12; Gal.1:6-7Gal.1:6-7

Not by Not by changing the changing the church to suit church to suit our interestsour interests

Prv.14:12; Prv.14:12; Gal.1:6-7Gal.1:6-7

Not to suit Not to suit what we feel what we feel

we need we need Jer. 10:23; 2 Jer. 10:23; 2

Tim. 4:3-4Tim. 4:3-4

Not to suit Not to suit what we feel what we feel

we need we need Jer. 10:23; 2 Jer. 10:23; 2

Tim. 4:3-4Tim. 4:3-4

a striking contrast

Documents

manmade counterfeitspreach

manmade counterfeitschange

ffnt christianity

councilsnt christianity

choicent christianity

churchnt christianity

deadnt christianity

holy spiritnt christianity