Introduction: Along with noticing the function of each local church in the areas of benevolence, edification, and evangelism, God has also commanded a local church to act in the area of discipline. This is one area that many do not want have to get involved in or accomplish. It is a difficult work that often [...]

The Authority of God Discover God’s authority When we ask if we can do something or not as a local church, we must ask the question if we have the authority of God to do so. 1 John 3:4 tells us that sin is lawlessness. Therefore, we must act within the law of God otherwise [...]

Seeking God’s Authority How to discover God’s authority Sin is defined for us in the scriptures as acting without the authority of God (1 John 3:4). God’s law is given to us so that we know how to act and how to be pleasing to the Lord. God’s word is not a book of do [...]

Introduction: We have been spending our time getting to know the Lord’s church. We have spent much time talking about denominationalism and the lack of scriptural authority for such a structure. There are some important points that I want to keep before our minds as we move into a new issue concerning the Lord’s body. [...]

We have noted in previous lessons that the word church in our Bibles is the Greek word ekklesia, which simply means people called out of one relationship or location and into another. Therefore, when we speak of the church of Christ in the scriptures, we are talking about people who have been called out of [...]

Introduction: In our last study we looked at the differences between the two concepts that we find in the New Testament, the universal and local church. We remember that the word church, ekklesia, is simply defined as a group of people called out of one relationship or location and into another. In reference to Christ, [...]

Introduction: Last time we looked at the scriptural definition of the church. We saw that the church, ekklesia, simply means a group of people called out of one relationship or location and into another. Thus, the church of Christ is simply people who have been called out of the world and into a relationship with [...]

Introduction: We are going to begin a study on “Getting to Know the Lord’s Church.” We often talk about many scriptural concepts assuming that everyone is on the same page in defining what we are talking about. But more and more, in conversations I have and things I read, I find that we may not [...]