To be a disciple of Christthe Bible says you must follow Christ

•Observe all things, Mt. 28:18-20•Abide in Word, Jn. 8:31

Therefore: members ofthe Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) are not Christians, nor Disciples of Christ

•Drifted from truth, Heb. 2:1-3•Grow worse, 2 Tim. 3:13

Many people were searching for the truth in the late 1700s – early 1800s

•Denominations: tradition bound, bitter•Men were disgusted•Beliefs changed to harmonize with Bible•A new generation arose

Mid 1800s: some departed from truth•American Christian Missionary Society

-Formed 1849-Initially voluntary-Became point of fellowship

Mid 1800s: some departed from truth•Instrumental music

-Issued raised in journal in 1851-Used in worship at Midway, KY 1860

Mid 1800s: some departed from truth•Debate lasted for decades; most drifted

-Wealthier churches-Northern churches-Two distinct groups by 1906

The Disciples did not view themselvesas a denomination until 1968

•Approved name•Acknowledge as denomination•Distinct from Independent Christian Churches

Missionary Societies•Based on human authority

-Can do what churches cannot do-First president: Alexander Campbell

Missionary Societies

ACMSC

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C

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$ $

Missionary Societies•Not authorized by NT

-Church controlled its work, Acts 20:28-Church sent preachers, Acts 13:1-3-Church controlled its funds, Phil. 4:15-17

Missionary Societies•NT practice, Phil. 4:15-17

C

C

C

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Instrumental Music•Justified by man’s emotions

-Sounds good-Keep time-Talent to praise God

Instrumental Music•Bible authorizes singing, Eph. 5:19

-Regardless of sound-Talent irrelevant

Women Leaders•“Rev. Dr. Sharon E. Watkins” –“General Minister and President of the Christian Church”

Women Leaders•NT: Male leadership, 1 Tim. 2:11, 12•NT: No “General Minister and President…,” Eph. 4:11

Salvation•“In the Bible and classical Christian theology, salvation is sometimes pictured in a restrictive sense, belonging only to those who respond in faith…Such pictures portray the importance of human responsibility…”

Salvation•“…Salvation is also pictured in universally inclusive ways in which God is the Redeemer of the whole creation, including all human beings…Such pictures portray the sovereignty of God, whose ability to say ‘yes’ is finally stronger than human ability to say ‘no.’”

Salvation•NT Truth

-God has done His part, 1 Tim. 4:10-Man must do his, Phil. 2:12-God will not force man, Acts 7:51-Baptism is essential, Acts 2:38

Roman Catholic Church•A. Campbell debated Bishop Purcell, 1836

-“The Roman Catholic institution… is not now nor was she ever catholic, apostolic or holy; but is a sect in the fair import of that word, older than any other sect now existing; not the ‘mother and mistress of all churches,’ but an apostasy from the only true, apostolic and catholic Church of Christ.”

Roman Catholic Church•Modern view

-“With the announcement of the election of Cardinal Josef Ratzinger as the new head of the Catholic Church, Disciples of Christ join with Christians and churches around the world...”

Roman Catholic Church•Modern view

-“…in our prayers of support, encouragement and the leading of the Holy Spirit for Pope Benedict XVI as he takes up this unique position of leadership in the universal church.”

Roman Catholic Church•Modern view

-“We joined with Catholics worldwide in these past weeks in the loss of their beloved Holy Father. Today, we join with them in their hopes for the continuation of John Paul II’s ministry of healing and vision of reconciliation in both the Church and in our world.”

Roman Catholic Church•A. Campbell agreed with Bible

-Christ is the only Head, Eph. 1:22, 23-All believers are priests, 1 Pt. 2:9

To be a disciple of Christthe Bible says you must follow Christ

•Observe all things, Mt. 28:18-20•Abide in Word, Jn. 8:31

Therefore: members ofthe Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) are not Christians, nor Disciples of Christ

•Drifted from truth, Heb. 2:1-3•Grow worse, 2 Tim. 3:13