120 The Name

The Name THIRD YEAR—SUBJECT 13 The Name (READ 1 Peter 4) 1. My church. Matthew 16:15.

2. Church of God. 1 Corinthians 1:1-2.

3. Churches of Christ. Romans 16:16.

4. Church of the first born. Hebrews 12:23 Its members.

5. Christians. Acts 11:26; 1 Peter 4:16.

6. Subjects. Ephesians 5:24.

7. Soldiers. Ephesians 6:14-17.

8. Followers. Ephesians 5:1.

9. Learners. John 6:45.

10. Sheep. John 10.

11. Family. Ephesians 5:30.

12. Body. 1 Corinthians 12:13. This is sometimes called the church of God, or the churches of the first born. When we speak of it in the local sense, as different congregations at different places, we say the "churches of Christ.” The word church is used in two senses in the Bible. (1) In its general sense, to represent all the children of God as in Matthew 16:18. (2) In a local sense, as the church of God at Ephesus, or Corinth, or some designated place.

We generally speak of the "church of Christ" to denote authorship to show that Christ is the author and founder. Sometimes it is spoken of as the "Christian Church," but this can only ge used in an accommodated sense, to show the relationship of all the members or to show that it is a church composed only of Christians. Still the expression "Christian church" is not found in the Bible, and it is absolutely safe to refer to it as the church of God or the church of Christ, and continue to follow Peter, who says, "If any man speak let him speak as the oracles of God." As the church of Christ is composed of Christians, we should claim to be Christians only, and never wear any human or sectarian name. As Christians we should be subject to Christ in all things, and as we are engaged in war we should be faithful soldiers and follow Christ. As we follow him we should study to learn his will, and in learning his will he calls us his sheep, and declares we are of the family of God. As a family we are all one body, members of his flesh and his bones.

QUESTIONS 1. What church did Christ say he would build?

2. What is it sometimes called?

3. In how many senses is the word church used in the New Testament?

4. Give examples in local and in general sense.

5. What are the members called?

6. Why are they called subjects? Soldiers? Learners? Sheep?

7. What law forbids me wearing a human name? 1 Peter 4:11.

8. Under what name does God bless me when I am persecuted? 1 Peter 4:16.

9. In what way is Christ said to be the first born?