THE WRONG CHURCH

TAKE HEED

Therefore we ought to give more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip.  Heb. 2:1

For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.  How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard?  and how shall they hear without a preacher?  And how shall they preach, except they be sent?  as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!  But they have not all obeyed the gospel.  For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?  So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.  Rom. 10: 13-17

You know you are in the wrong Church when you...... are not worshiping in spirit and truth.

The woman saith unto him, Sir, I perceive that thou are a prophet.  Our fathers worshipped in this mountain; and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship.  Jesus saith unto her,  Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father.  Ye worship ye know not what:  we know what we worship; for salvation is of the Jews,  But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshipper shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth; for the Father seeketh such to worship him.  John 4:19-23

You know you are in the wrong Church when...... you are not walking in the Lord's commandments.

And this is love, that we walk after his commandments.  This is the commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it.  II John 9

You know you are in the wrong Church when..... you are not doing all things in the name of Jesus.
Worship should be done as "Thus saith the Lord............"  There should be no creeds or conventions.
And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.  Col. 3:17

You know you are in the wrong Church when...... the Bible is not emphasized.

And I say also unto thee, That thou are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church;  and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.  Matt. 16:17

Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.  Acts 20: 28

You know you are in the wrong Church when....... you can't find the name of your Church in the Bible.
Jesus Church should wear His Name
The name of the Church should be found in the scriptures.
Salute one another with an holy kiss.  The churches of Christ salute you.  Rom. 16:16

You know you are in the wrong Church when...... baptism is not emphasized.
Baptism should be for the remission of sins.

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:  Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.  Matt. 28:19

You know you are in the wrong Church when.........they are sprinkling instead of baptizing.

Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?  Rom. 6:3
It is wrong to sprinkle a baby.
It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him:  If we suffer, we shall also reign with him:  if we deny him, he also will deny us:  If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful:  he cannot deny himself.  II Tim 2:11-13

You know you are in the wrong Church when....... there is a woman preacher.

Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection.  But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.  For Adam was first formed, then Eve.
I Tim 2:11-13

You know you are in the wrong Church when........it has denominated from the True Church.

Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no division among you: but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.
I Cor 1:10

For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:  And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.
Rev. 22: 18-19

You know you are in the wrong Church when....... there are instrumental  in the Church.

Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;
Eph 5:19

You know you are in the wrong Church when...... leaders are elevated above regular members or are given titles.

But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren.  And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.  Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ   But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.  And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.
Matt. 23:9-12

You know you are in the wrong Church when.... things aren't  done in a decent and orderly manner.

YOU KNOW YOU ARE IN THE WRONG CHURCH WHEN.......
By
David Ray Fanning I
Evangelist of the Petersburg Church of Christ

........You add to or subtract from God's Word:  Revelation 2:18-19

SUBTRACTIONS

1.  The New Testament (with book, chapter and verse) is not emphasized as the final authority in religious matters (instead, how the Holy Spirit moves, what the preacher thinks, what the denominational creed or catechism says, what the pope concludes or what the New World Translation, Watchtower of Book of Mormon teaches is quoted as the final authority): Matthew 28:18; John 12:48; Colossians 3:17;  II Timothy 3:16-17; I Peter 4:11;  II peter 1:3;  I John 4:1

2. The Lord's Supper ("breaking bread") is not served every first day of the week (although preaching, praying, giving, singing is done every first day of the week):  Acts 2:42 (Leviticus 23:15);20:7; I Corinthians 10:16-22:  11:17-30

3. The burial of persons capable of believing and confessing Jesus as Lord in the watery grave of baptism is not practiced, but instead water is used to sprinkle or pour on a baby, child or adult:  Romans 6:4;  Colossians 2:12

4.  Baptism is not emphasized and practiced as a part of God's way or plan to wash away the sins of the non Christian through the blood of Jesus:  Mark 16:16;  John 3:5;  Acts 2:38; 22:16;  Romans 6:3-8;  Colossians 2:11-12;  Titus 3:5; I Peter 2:20-21


ADDITIONS

1.  Humming, clapping, a choir, duets, solos, instruments are used/added in the worship rather than Scriptural congregational singing only:  Ephesians 5:19;  Colossians 3:16;  Hebrews 2:12

2.  A man-made name has been added to your church other than the church of Christ:  Matthew 16:18;  Romans 16:16; Ephesians 1:22-23 (4:4)

3.  A man-made name has been added to you and your members other than Christian:  Acts 11:26; 26:28; I Peter 4:16

4. Women are used to preach and lead in your worship, rather than men only:  I Corinthians 14:34-35;  I Timothy 2:8, 11-15

5. Titles like Reverend, Pastor, Father, Bishop, Pope are added to your church leaders (also the wearing of robes, etc.):  Matthew 23:6-12;  I Corinthians 3:5-7

6. Chaos in the worship is added in the form of shouting, rolling around in the aisle, speaking in unknown tongues rather that decency and orderliness:  I Corinthians 14:27-30, 34-35,40  (When the apostles were filled with God's Spirit, they were sitting: Acts 2:1-4, 7-8, 11)