How to change a church name into church of Christ?
A. It is the same like in basketball, how do sport casters name another player Michael Jordan 2nd?
He has to be able to play basketball like Michael Jordan! Up to now, not one can play like him!
B. To change a church name that is not a church of Christ into a church of Christ it is the same way!
This church has to possess features which the church of Christ possesses!
For example, the church is described as the household of God and the members of this family are children of God!
You cannot just call all the people walking on the street children of God!
1. The number one important feature of a child of God is that he has to be born of the will of God!
But as many as received him, to them gave he the right to become children of God, to them that believe on his name:
who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. John 1:12-13
2. Jesus answered: Verily, verily, I say unto you, except one be born of water and the Spirit,he cannot enter into the kingdom of God! John 3:5
3. Let all the house of Israel therefore know assuredly, that God has made him both Lord and Christ,
this Jesus whom you crucified. Now when they heard (this,) they were pricked in their heart, and said
unto Peter and the rest of the apostles: Brethren, what shall we do? Acts 2:36-37
And Peter (said) unto them: Repent ye, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ
unto the remission of your sins; and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:38
4. The Spirit himself bear witness with our spirit, that we are children of God! Romans 8:16
C. The church of Christ is built by Jesus!
1. Jesus said: I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hades
will not overcome it! Matt.16:18
2. Jesus built this church. Why not name this church as church of Jesus?
Because Jesus want all people on earth to believe Jesus is the Christ! John 8:24, Acts 2:36
Because the churches were called churches of Christ at the beginning! Romans 16:16
D. Church of Christ is built for the saved to grow up in their salvation!
1. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved. Acts 2:47
2. Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. Like
newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, 1 Pet.2:1-2
3. It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be
pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be
built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become
mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Then we will no longer be infants,
tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the
cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. Eph.4:11-14
4. This is how saved people are to grow in their salvation! 2 Peter 1:5-11
a. For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith courage; and to courage, knowledge; and
to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to
godliness, love for brothers; and to love for brothers, love for all people. 2 Peter 1:5-7
b. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective
and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 1:8
c. But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been
cleansed from his past sins. 2 Peter 1:9
d. Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do
these things, you will never fall. 2 Peter 1:10
5. In the next chapter Peter said: For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world through
the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein and overcome,
their last state is become worse with them than the first. 2 Peter 2:20
6. But if you grow to possess these virtues in increasing measure, your salvation will be assured! 2 Pe.1:11
Preach this on February 17, 2013. Thank you, Lord for this inspiration this morning, February 11,2013.