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The 14 Marks of Christ's True Church
(with Scripture References and Commentary)
The true church must acknowledge the divinity of Jesus Christ (Joh_1:1; Joh_1:2; Joh_5:17; Joh_5:23; Joh_8:58; John 10:30; John 14:9; Joh_14:23; Joh_16:15; Joh_17:10; Joh_17:21-22; Mat_11:27; Mat_28:19; 1Ti_3:16; Tit_2:13; 1Jo_5:20; Many, many others)
The true church must NOT take the Name of a man, nor any man-made Name for their organization [Only be of God and Jesus Christ--Christ who is the head of the church--simply as Christians] (Eph 5:23)
The true church must be a Christ-organized Church [WITH *successors to the apostles] HARVEST: (Eph 4:11-14; Luke 10:2) 2Co 3:1-5 {Mat_9:37; Mat_9:38; Joh_4:35-38; 1Co_3:6-9; the LABOURERS: Mat_20:1; Mar_13:34; 1Co_15:10; 2Co_6:1; Phi_2:25; Phi_2:30; Col_1:29; Col_4:12; 1Th_2:9; 1Th_5:12; 1Ti_4:10; 1Ti_4:15; 1Ti_4:16; 1Ti_5:17; 1Ti_5:18; 2Ti_2:3-6; 2Ti_4:5; Phm_1:1;] It is patently obvious from Luke 10:2; Mar_6:7; Mat_9:37-38 and elsewhere, that the "office" held by the Twelve, the Seventy, Paul, Silas, Barnabus, Timothy and many others, illustrates that theirs was an "office" that was intended by The Lord to CONTINUE... UNTIL His Return.
The true church must be built upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets (Eph 2:19-20) , Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone
The true church must be organized just as Christ's Original Church was organized (Mat_9:37-38; Mat 10:1; Mar_6:7; Luk 10:1 -2; Act 14:23; 1Ti 3:1-2;1Ti 5:17; Tit 1:5 Perhaps Including SOME of The GIFTS: Eph 4:11-14)
The true church must have no Salaried [paid] Ministry (Mat 10:8; Acts 20:33-34; Rom 8:32; 1Cor 9:16-18; John 10:11-13; Rev 21:6) {See Note, with HEADING: NO SALARIED [PAID] MINISTRY ]
The true church must claim [and earn] for themselves, divine authority (2Co 10:7-18; Tit 2:15; Heb 4:4-10)
The true church must baptize by immersion (Matt 3:6; Matt 3:13-16; Joh 3:23 ; Act 8:35) In Christ's Name
The true church must have and believe in the gift of the Holy Ghost (Mar 1:8; Acts 8:14-17; Act 8:20; Act 10:44-48; Act 19:6) Also note: Mat 12:31-32; Mar 3:29
The true church must teach the truth about the Godhead -- God , The Father, and Jesus Christ (John 17:11; 20:17) and these two are One (Hebrew Echad) ** That they are separate Beings appears to be so from 2John 9: A person who abides in the doctrine of Christ has BOTH the Father and the Son. The word BOTH refers to two persons or things. Both means "the two: the one and the other," and from: 1John_1:3: "our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. Yet, mysteriously, they are uniquely ONE!
The true church must have church officers' who are called AS called by Jesus--that is, as Jesus called men (Mat_9:37-38; Mat 10:5; Mar 6:7; Luk 10:1) [No more Priest's Office: Heb 4:14-16; Rev 1:6] NOTE that the apostles appointed elders, having authority from Jesus, Himself 2Co 3:1-5..., AND Deacons were simply LEARNERS, ready to become either Elders or Preachers. READ CAREFULLY: Mat 18:1 At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus... Mat 18:18 Verily I say unto you [His Disciples], Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. NOTE that this "power" was NOT given just to Peter, alone...
The true church must conduct Work in a biblical mission field [church planting, or building/establishing New Assemblies] (Matt 28:19-20; Mar 6:7; Luk 10:1; Joh 17:20; 2Ti 2:2) PLUS, See: Act 13:46; Act;15:40; Act 16:1-3; Act 18:5; Act 19:29; 2Co 1:1; Phi 1:1; Col 1:1; 1Th 1:1 {AND: Act 3:1/Act 4:19] << ALSO: Mat 11:2; Mat 21:1; Mar 11:1; Mar 14:13; Luk 7:19 >>
The true church must be a restored church---restored to First Century practice--Turning to God, and HIS Ways. (Acts:19-20; Acts 20:29; Mat 26:31; Joh_16:32; ) SEE Also: Joh_10:12; 2Pe_2:1; Jer_13:20; Jer_23:1; Eze_34:2; Eze_34:3; Zec_11:17; Rev 12:14-17--- (Luke 23:36-39; Acts 1:9-11; Heb 1:1-3) and shall be known by their Love for the church: By Loving God and the brethren, and KEEPING God's commandments---by their fruits ye shall know them." (Matt 7:20; 1Jo 2:3; 1Jo 2:15; 2Jo 1:5 )
The true church must have a Priesthood [the people] that participates in worship (1Co 14:26) Rev 1:6 [See also: 1Co 14:40]
(Continued on page 14)
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