139 lines
18 KiB
HTML
139 lines
18 KiB
HTML
<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01 Transitional//EN">
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<html><head>
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<script src="../../js/basepath.js"></script>
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<script src="./js/nav.js"></script>
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<script src="./js/Mainheader.js"></script>
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<style>ol, ul, p {line-height:145%;}</style>
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<div class="head">Condensed Biblical Cyclopedia</div>
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<div class="subhead">The Kingdom or Church of Christ</div>
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<div class="main-left"><div class="pad30">
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<ol>
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<li><i>Prophecies concerning it</i>.
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<ol type="a">
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<br><li>Isaiah and Micah predicted that the law should go forth out of Zion and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem (<a id="si-Isa 2:1-3" onClick="return mV('Isa',2,'1-3');">Isa 2:1-3</a>; <a id="si-Mic 4:1-3" onClick="return mV('Mic',4,'1-3');">Mic 4:1-3</a>);</li>
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<br><li>Jeremiah predicted that the Lord would establish a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah, that it should not be like unto the covenant that He made with their fathers when he brought them out of Egypt, that He would put His laws in their minds and write them in their hearts, that they would know the Lord and that their sins and iniquities should be remembered against them no more (<a id="si-Jer 31:31-34" onClick="return mV('Jer',31,'31-34');">Jer 31:31-34</a>; <a id="si-Heb 8:7-13" onClick="return mV('Hbr',8,'7-13');">Heb 8:7-13</a>);</li>
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<br><li>and Daniel predicted that the God of heaven would set up a kingdom that should never be destroyed and that it should consume and break in pieces all other kingdoms, and stand forever (<a id="si-Dan 2:44" onClick="return mV('Dan',2,44);">Dan 2:44</a>).</li>
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<br></ol>
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</li<br>>
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<br><li><i>Foundation</i>. Isaiah predicted that a foundation stone should be laid in Zion (<a id="si-Isa 28:16" onClick="return mV('Isa',28,16);">Isa 28:16</a>), and that stone is Christ (<a id="si-Mat 16:13-20" onClick="return mV('Mat',16,'13-20');">Mat 16:13-20</a>; <a id="si-Rom 9:32-33" onClick="return mV('Rom',9,32,33);">Rom 9:32-33</a>; <a id="si-1Cr 3:10-11" onClick="return mV('1Cr',3,10,11);">1Cr 3:10-11</a>; <a id="si-Eph 2:19-22" onClick="return mV('Eph',2,'19-22');">Eph 2:19-22</a>; <a id="si-1Pe 1:6-8" onClick="return mV('1Pe',1,'6-8');">1Pe 1:6-8</a>).</li>
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<br><li><i>Head</i>. Jesus Christ is the head of the Church (<a id="si-Col 1:18" onClick="return mV('Col',1,18);">Col 1:18</a> <a id="si-Eph 5:23" onClick="return mV('Eph',5,23);">Eph 5:23</a>).</li>
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<br><li><i>The beginning</i>. In contemplating this subject, we should note the general drift of the Bible teaching prior to the death of Christ:
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<ol type="a">
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<br><li>It was in the future when God made promises to Abraham (<a id="si-Gen 12:1-3" onClick="return mV('Gen', 12,'1-3');">Gen 12:1-3</a>), to Isaac (<a id="si-Gen 26:1-5" onClick="return mV('Gen',6,'1-5');">Gen 26:1-5</a>); to Jacob (<a id="si-Gen 28:10-14" onClick="return mV('Gen',8,'10-14');">Gen 28:10-14</a>);</li>
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<br><li>it was in the future when Jacob prophesied of the coming of Shiloh (<a id="si-Gen 49:1, 8-10" onClick="return mV('Gen',9,1, '8-10');">Gen 49:1, 8-10</a>; <a id="si-Heb 2:14" onClick="return mV('Hbr',2,14);">Heb 2:14</a>; <a id="si-Rev 1:1-5" onClick="return mV('Rev',1,'1-5');">Rev 1:1-5</a>);</li>
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<br><li>it was in the future when Moses predicted the coming of One whose authority should be supreme (<a id="si-Deu 18:15-18" onClick="return mV('Deu',18,'15-18');">Deu 18:15-18</a>);</li>
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<br><li>it was in the future when Isaiah predicted the bringing in of the Gentiles (<a id="si-Isa 54:1-3" onClick="return mV('Isa',54,'1-3');">Isa 54:1-3</a>; <a id="si-Isa 62:1-4" onClick="return mV('Isa',62,'1-4');">Isa 62:1-4</a>);</li>
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<br><li>it was in the future when John the Baptist preached in the wilderness of Judea (<a id="si-Mat 3:1-13" onClick="return mV('Mat',3,'1-13');">Mat 3:1-13</a>);</li>
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<br><li>it was in the future when Jesus announced to His disciples that some of them would live to see it come with power (<a id="si-Mar 9:1" onClick="return mV('Mar',9,1);">Mar 9:1</a>);</li>
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<br><li>it was in the future when Jesus visited Caesarea Philippi (<a id="si-Mat 16:13-17" onClick="return mV('Mat',16,'13-17');">Mat 16:13-17</a>);</li>
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<br><li>it was in the future, near the close of the earthly life of Jesus, for the disciples were expecting it to immediately appear (<a id="si-Luk 19:11-27" onClick="return mV('Luk',19,'11-27');">Luk 19:11-27</a>);</li>
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<br><li>it was in the future when Jesus was on the cross (<a id="si-Luk 23:42-43" onClick="return mV('Luk',23,42,43);">Luk 23:42-43</a>);</li>
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<br><li>it was in the future after the death of Jesus on the cross (<a id="si-Mar 15:43" onClick="return mV('Mar',15,43);">Mar 15:43</a>);</li>
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<br><li>it was in the future, just preceding the ascension (<a id="si-Act 1:6-7" onClick="return mV('Act',1,6,7);">Act 1:6-7</a>).</li>
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<br><li>Previous to Pentecost the Church or Kingdom is spoken of as in the future, but after that day it is spoken of as having an actual existence (<a id="si-Act 2:41" onClick="return mV('Act',2,41);">Act 2:41</a>; <a id="si-Act 5:11" onClick="return mV('Act',5,11);">Act 5:11</a>; <a id="si-Act 8:1" onClick="return mV('Act',8,1);">Act 8:1</a>; <a id="si-Heb 12:28" onClick="return mV('Hbr',12,28);">Heb 12:28</a>). It was necessary to abolish the first institution in order to establish the second (<a id="si-Heb 10:9" onClick="return mV('Hbr',10,9);">Heb 10:9</a>): but the first was not removed during the life of Jesus, for He commanded His disciples to follow the teaching of the law as expounded by the Scribes and Pharisees (<a id="si-Mat 23:1-3" onClick="return mV('Mat',23,'1-3');">Mat 23:1-3</a>), and the vail of the temple was not rent in twain until He expired (<a id="si-Mat 27:51" onClick="return mV('Mat',27,51);">Mat 27:51</a>; <a id="si-Eph 2:13-16" onClick="return mV('Eph',2,'13-16');">Eph 2:13-16</a>).</li>
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<br><li>The new institution was to be characterized by the absolute blotting out of sins (<a id="si-Jer 31:31-34" onClick="return mV('Jer',31,'31-34');">Jer 31:31-34</a>), and as the blood of animal sacrifices could never take away sin, it was indispensably necessary for Christ to die before the work could be done (<a id="si-Mat 26:28" onClick="return mV('Mat',26,28);">Mat 26:28</a>; <a id="si-Rom 5:9" onClick="return mV('Rom',5,9);">Rom 5:9</a>; <a id="si-Heb 9:14-22" onClick="return mV('Hbr',9,'14-22');">Heb 9:14-22</a>; <a id="si-Heb 10:4" onClick="return mV('Hbr',10,4);">Heb 10:4</a>; <a id="si-1Pe 1:18-19" onClick="return mV('1Pe',1,18,19);">1Pe 1:18-19</a>).</li>
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<br><li>The church was purchased by Jesus and was not His until He paid the price (<a id="si-Mat 20:28" onClick="return mV('Mat',20,28);">Mat 20:28</a>; <a id="si-1Cr 6:19-20" onClick="return mV('1Cr',6,19,20);">1Cr 6:19-20</a>).</li>
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<br><li>The body could not exist without the spirit (<a id="si-1Cr 6:19-20" onClick="return mV('1Cr',6,19,20);">1Cr 6:19-20</a>; <a id="si-Jam 2:26" onClick="return mV('Jam',2,26);">Jam 2:26</a>) and the Spirit was not given until the glorification of the Lord (<a id="si-Jhn 7:38-39" onClick="return mV('Jhn',7,38,39);">Jhn 7:38-39</a>; <a id="si-Act 1:5" onClick="return mV('Act',1,5);">Act 1:5</a>).</li>
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<br><li>The prophets, Jesus Christ and His apostles agree in placing the beginning at Jerusalem (<a id="si-Psa 110:1-4" onClick="return mV('Psa',110,'1-4');">Psa 110:1-4</a>; <a id="si-Isa 2:1-3" onClick="return mV('Isa',2,'1-3');">Isa 2:1-3</a>; <a id="si-Isa 62:1-2" onClick="return mV('Isa',62,1,2);">Isa 62:1-2</a>; <a id="si-Joe 2:28-32" onClick="return mV('Joe',2,'28-32');">Joe 2:28-32</a>; <a id="si-Mic 4:1-2" onClick="return mV('Mic',4,1,2);">Mic 4:1-2</a>; <a id="si-Luk 24:45-53" onClick="return mV('Luk',24,'45-53');">Luk 24:45-53</a>; <a id="si-Act 1:5-8" onClick="return mV('Act',1,'5-8');">Act 1:5-8</a>; <a id="si-Act 2:1-47" onClick="return mV('Act',2,'1-47');">Act 2:1-47</a>; <a id="si-Act 8:1" onClick="return mV('Act',8,1);">Act 8:1</a>; <a id="si-Gal 4:21-31" onClick="return mV('Gal',4,'21-31');">Gal 4:21-31</a>).</li>
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</ol>
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<br>The work was inaugurated on the first Pentecost after the ascension of Christ. This day is distinguished from all others in the world's history:
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<ol type="a">
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<br><li>The disciples received their first message from Jesus after His departure (<a id="si-Luk 24:50-53" onClick="return mV('Luk',24,'50-53');">Luk 24:50-53</a>; <a id="si-Act 2:36" onClick="return mV('Act',2,36);">Act 2:36</a>);</li>
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<li>the Holy Spirit came into the world and began through the apostles the evangelization of the world (<a id="si-Jhn 14:16-18" onClick="return mV('Jhn',14,'16-18');">Jhn 14:16-18</a>; <a id="si-Jhn 16:7-11" onClick="return mV('Jhn',16,'7-11');">Jhn 16:7-11</a>; <a id="si-Act 2:1-4" onClick="return mV('Act',2,'1-4');">Act 2:1-4</a>);</li>
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<li>the prophecies were fulfilled on that day (<a id="si-Isa 2:1-3" onClick="return mV('Isa',2,'1-3');">Isa 2:1-3</a>; <a id="si-Psa 110:1-4" onClick="return mV('Psa',110,'1-4');">Psa 110:1-4</a>; <a id="si-Joe 2:28-32" onClick="return mV('Joe',2,'28-32');">Joe 2:28-32</a>; <a id="si-Mic 4:1-2" onClick="return mV('Mic',4,1,2);">Mic 4:1-2</a>; <a id="si-Act 2:1-47" onClick="return mV('Act',2,'1-47');">Act 2:1-47</a>);</li>
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<li>Peter and the other apostles began to bind and loose in the name of Jesus (<a id="si-Mat 16:18" onClick="return mV('Mat',16,18);">Mat 16:18</a>; <a id="si-Mat 18:18" onClick="return mV('Mat',18,18);">Mat 18:18</a>; <a id="si-Act 2:37-38" onClick="return mV('Act',2,37,38);">Act 2:37-38</a>);</li>
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<li>the apostles proclaimed a law of remission in the name of Jesus (<a id="si-Mat 28:18-20" onClick="return mV('Mat',28,'18-20');">Mat 28:18-20</a>; <a id="si-Act 2:37" onClick="return mV('Act',2,37);">Act 2:37</a>);</li>
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<li>the apostles did their first preaching under the last and great commission (<a id="si-Mar 16:15-16" onClick="return mV('Mar',16,15,16);">Mar 16:15-16</a>; <a id="si-Act 2:14-36" onClick="return mV('Act',2,'14-36');">Act 2:14-36</a>).</li>
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</ol>
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</li>
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<br><li><i>The Law of Admission</i>. In general terms, the law of admission into the Church is the gospel, but conditions are specifically laid down in it by the Lord and His inspired apostles. The gospel may be divided and studied,
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<ol type="a">
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<br><li>in promise (<a id="si-Gen 12:1-3" onClick="return mV('Gen',12,'1-3');">Gen 12:1-3</a>; <a id="si-Gal 3:16" onClick="return mV('Gal',3,16);">Gal 3:16</a>);</li>
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<li>in prophecy (<a id="si-Gen 49:10" onClick="return mV('Gen',49,10);">Gen 49:10</a>; <a id="si-Isa 7:14" onClick="return mV('Isa',7,14);">Isa 7:14</a>);</li>
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<li>in preparation (<a id="si-v" onClick="return mV('Isa',40,'1-8');">Isa 40:1-8</a>; <a id="si-Mat 3:1-12" onClick="return mV('Mat',3,'1-12');">Mat 3:1-12</a>);</li>
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<li>and in fact (<a id="si-Mar 4:26-28" onClick="return mV('Mar',4,'26-28');">Mar 4:26-28</a>; <a id="si-1Cr 15:1-3" onClick="return mV('1Cr',15,'1-3');">1Cr 15:1-3</a>).</li>
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</ol>
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<br>These conditions to the alien are:
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<ol type="a">
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<li>Faith,
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<ol type="i">
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<br><li>its importance (<a id="si-Heb 11:6" onClick="return mV('Hbr',11,6);">Heb 11:6</a>);</li>
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<li>it is taking God at His word (<a id="si-Rom 4:21" onClick="return mV('Rom',4,21);">Rom 4:21</a>);</li>
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<li>its unity (<a id="si-Eph 4:5-13" onClick="return mV('Eph',4,'5-13');">Eph 4:5-13</a>);</li>
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<li>its basis is Jesus Christ (<a id="si-Jhn 8:24" onClick="return mV('Jhn',8,24);">Jhn 8:24</a>; <a id="si-1Cr 3:10-11" onClick="return mV('1Cr',3,10,11);">1Cr 3:10-11</a>);</li>
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<li>it is produced by hearing the gospel (<a id="si-Jhn 20:30-31" onClick="return mV('Jhn',20,30,31);">Jhn 20:30-31</a>; <a id="si-Rom 10:17" onClick="return mV('Rom',10,17);">Rom 10:17</a>);</li>
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<li>it purifies the heart (<a id="si-Act 15:9" onClick="return mV('Act',15,9);">Act 15:9</a>);</li>
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<li>and its effect on the life (<a id="si-Jam 2:17-26" onClick="return mV('Jam',2,'17-26');">Jam 2:17-26</a>).</li>
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</ol>
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</li>
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<br><li>Repentance,
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<ol type="i">
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<br><li>God is willing for men to repent (<a id="si-Eze 18:25-32" onClick="return mV('Eze',18,'25-32');">Eze 18:25-32</a>; <a id="si-2Pe 3:9" onClick="return mV('2Pe',3,9);">2Pe 3:9</a>);</li>
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<li>men can repent, for salvation depends on it (<a id="si-Luk 13:1-5" onClick="return mV('Luk',13,'1-5');">Luk 13:1-5</a>);</li>
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<li>the motives that produce it are the goodness of God (<a id="si-Rom 2:4" onClick="return mV('Rom',2,4);">Rom 2:4</a>), and the fear of judgment (<a id="si-Act 17:30-31" onClick="return mV('Act',17,30,31);">Act 17:30-31</a>; <a id="si-2Cr 7:10" onClick="return mV('2Cr',7,10);">2Cr 7:10</a>);</li>
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<li>it is a change of mind resulting in a change or reformation of life (<a id="si-Isa 55:7" onClick="return mV('Isa',5,7);">Isa 55:7</a>; <a id="si-Isa 7:5" onClick="return mV('Isa',7,5);">Isa 7:5</a>; <a id="si-Mat 3:7" onClick="return mV('Mat',3,7);">Mat 3:7</a>; <a id="si-Jam 3:7-10" onClick="return mV('Jam',3,'7-10');">Jam 3:7-10</a>).</li>
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</ol>
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</li>
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<br><li>Confession,
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<ol type="i">
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<br><li>men are required to confess Christ (<a id="si-Mat 10:32-33" onClick="return mV('Mat',10,32,33);">Mat 10:32-33</a>);</li>
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<li>it is done with the mouth unto salvation (<a id="si-Rom 10:9-10" onClick="return mV('Rom',10,9,10);">Rom 10:9-10</a>);</li>
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<li>and in the presence of witnesses (<a id="si-Jhn 12:42" onClick="return mV('Jhn',12,42);">Jhn 12:42</a>; <a id="si-Act 19:18" onClick="return mV('Act',19,18);">Act 19:18</a>; <a id="si-1Ti 6:12-14" onClick="return mV('1Ti',6,'12-14');">1Ti 6:12-14</a>).</li>
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</ol>
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</li>
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<br><li>Baptism,
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<ol type="i">
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<br><li>the subject—believers in Christ;</li>
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<li>the action—a burial;</li>
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<li>the design—for the remission of sins (<a id="si-Mat 3:14-17" onClick="return mV('Mat',3,'14-17');">Mat 3:14-17</a>; <a id="si-Mat 28:18-20" onClick="return mV('Mat',28,'18-20');">Mat 28:18-20</a>; <a id="si-Mar 16:15-16" onClick="return mV('Mar',16,15,16);">Mar 16:15-16</a>; <a id="si-Jhn 3:5" onClick="return mV('Jhn',3,5);">Jhn 3:5</a>; <a id="si-Act 2:38" onClick="return mV('Act',2,38);">Act 2:38</a>; <a id="si-Rom 6:1-3" onClick="return mV('Rom',6,'1-3');">Rom 6:1-3</a>; <a id="si-1Cr 12:13" onClick="return mV('1Cr',12,13);">1Cr 12:13</a>; <a id="si-Gal 3:26-27" onClick="return mV('Gal',3,26,27);">Gal 3:26-27</a>; <a id="si-Eph 4:5" onClick="return mV('Eph',4,5);">Eph 4:5</a>; <a id="si-Eph 5:26" onClick="return mV('Eph',5,26);">Eph 5:26</a>; <a id="si-Col 2:12" onClick="return mV('Col',2,12);">Col 2:12</a>; <a id="si-Heb 10:22" onClick="return mV('Hbr',10,22);">Heb 10:22</a>; <a id="si-1Pe 3:21" onClick="return mV('1Pe',3,21);">1Pe 3:21</a>).</li>
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</ol>
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</li>
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</ol>
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</li>
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<br><li><i>The life</i>. Every member of the body of Christ is required to live righteously, soberly and godly in the present world (<a id="si-Tts 2:11-14" onClick="return mV('Tts',2,'11-14');">Tts 2:11-14</a>), adding to his faith courage, knowledge, temperance, patient, godliness, brotherly kindness, charity (<a id="si-2Pe 1:5-7" onClick="return mV('2Pe',1,'5-7');">2Pe 1:5-7</a>).</li>
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<br><li><i>The assembly</i>. The ancient Christians assembled on the first day of the week to,
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<ol type="a">
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<li>break bread (<a id="si-Act 20:7" onClick="return mV('Act',20,7);">Act 20:7</a>);</li>
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<li>and contribute to the Lord's cause as He had prospered them (<a id="si-1Cr 16:1-2" onClick="return mV('1Cr',16,1,2);">1Cr 16:1-2</a>).</li>
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</ol>
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</li>
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<br><li><i>Name of the Church</i>. In New Testament times the Church was called the Church of Christ (<a id="si-Rom 16:16" onClick="return mV('Rom',16,16);">Rom 16:16</a>) or the Church of God (<a id="si-1Cr 1:1-2" onClick="return mV('1Cr',1,1,2);">1Cr 1:1-2</a>);</li>
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<br><li><i>Names of the members</i>. The members of the Church of Christ were called, individually,
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<ol type="a">
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<li>saints (<a id="si-Rom 1:7" onClick="return mV('Rom',1,7);">Rom 1:7</a>);</li>
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<li>children of God (<a id="si-Rom 8:16" onClick="return mV('Rom',8,16);">Rom 8:16</a>);</li>
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<li>heirs of God (<a id="si-Rom 8:16" onClick="return mV('Rom',8,16);">Rom 8:16</a>);</li>
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<li>brethren (<a id="si-Rom 12:1" onClick="return mV('Rom',2,1);">Rom 12:1</a>);</li>
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<li>sons of God (<a id="si-1Jo 3:2" onClick="return mV('1Jo',3,2);">1Jo 3:2</a>);</li>
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<li>disciples;</li>
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<li>and Christians (<a id="si-Act 11:26" onClick="return mV('Act',11,26);">Act 11:26</a>; <a id="si-1Pe 4:16" onClick="return mV('1Pe',4,16);">1Pe 4:16</a>).</li>
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</ol>
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</li>
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<br><li><i>Early history</i>. The early history of the Church is the history of triumph. The apostles began their labors in Jerusalem and in a very short time a very great number of people had yielded to the demands of Christ in Jerusalem and the surrounding country (<a id="si-Act 2:37-42" onClick="return mV('Act',2,'37-42');">Act 2:37-42</a> <a id="si-Act 4:1-4" onClick="return mV('Act',4,'1-4');">Act 4:1-4</a>; <a id="si-Act 5:14" onClick="return mV('Act',5,14);">Act 5:14</a>; <a id="si-Act 6:7" onClick="return mV('Act',6,7);">Act 6:7</a>). Soon Philip, the evangelist, introduced the gospels in the city of Samaria with great success (<a id="si-Act 8:1-25" onClick="return mV('Act',8,'1-25');">Act 8:1-25</a>), and Peter introduced it among the Gentiles at the house of Cornelius (<a id="si-Act 10:1-48" onClick="return mV('Act',10,'1-48');">Act 10:1-48</a>; <a id="si-Act 11:1-26" onClick="return mV('Act',11,'1-26');">Act 11:1-26</a>).</li>
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</ol>
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</div></div>
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<div class="return"><a href="./study/cbc/index.html#toc">Return to Table of Contents</a></div>
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<div class="cite2">
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<p class="bibliobox"><b>Bibliographic Information:</b>
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<br>Author: Johnson, Ashley S.
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<br>Title: "The Kingdom or Church of Christ"
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<br>Work: <i>Condensed Biblical Cyclopedia</i>
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<br>Date Added: 1 Jul 2002</p>
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</div>
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