The document discusses distinguishing between the church in a general sense and specific sense. It provides several criteria for differentiation, such as belonging, entry, members, gathering, division, and death. The general church refers to all believers worldwide, while the specific church refers to local congregations in individual cities. Maintaining the proper distinction is important for understanding the nature of the church.

1. The Church:
General & Specific: 2

2. “I will build my church”
Matthew 16.18, CB NT p. 32
General

3. God “dead in Christ”
(1 Thessalonians 4.16)

4. “I will build my church”
Matthew 16.18, CB NT p. 32
General
“tell it to the church ... listen
even to the church”
Matthew 18.17, CB NT p. 32
Specific

5. God “dead in Christ”
(1 Thessalonians 4.16)
Antioch
Ethiopian
Jerusalem Sardis
Saul
Corinth

6. Distinguishing
“church”

7. “church”
God God
GENERAL SPECIFIC
Antioch
Ethiopian
Saul
Jerusalem Sardis
Corinth

8. Number
God God
GENERAL SPECIFIC
Antioch
Ethiopian
Saul
Jerusalem Sardis
Corinth
Only One Many
Matthew 16.18 Revelation 2 - 3

9. Beginning
God God
GENERAL SPECIFIC
Antioch
Ethiopian
Saul
Jerusalem Sardis
Corinth
Day of Various
Pentecost Times
Acts 2.41 Acts 15.41

10. Founder
God God
GENERAL SPECIFIC
Antioch
Ethiopian
Saul
Jerusalem Sardis
Corinth
Jesus Various Men
1 Corinthians 3.10-11;
Matthew 16.18
Romans 15.20

11. Earthly Organization
God God
GENERAL SPECIFIC
Antioch
Ethiopian
Saul
Jerusalem Sardis
Corinth
Jesus is Saints,
Head Bishops,
Deacons
Colossians 1.18;
Ephesians 1.22 Philippians 1.1

12. Shepherds
God God
GENERAL SPECIFIC
Antioch
Ethiopian
Saul
Jerusalem Sardis
Corinth
Only One: More than
Jesus One
1 Peter 2.25 Acts 20.28; 1 Peter 5.2

13. Necessity of Belonging
God God
GENERAL SPECIFIC
Antioch
Ethiopian
Saul
Jerusalem Sardis
Corinth
By
Definition
Acts 2.41

14. Necessity of Belonging
God God
GENERAL SPECIFIC
Antioch
Ethiopian
Saul
Jerusalem Sardis
Corinth
Not
By
Necessary,
Definition but Expected
Acts 2.41
Acts 9.26; 3 John 9-10

15. God “dead in Christ”
(1 Thessalonians 4.16)
Antioch
Ethiopian
Jerusalem Sardis
Saul
Corinth

16. Entry
God God
GENERAL SPECIFIC
Antioch
Ethiopian
Saul
Jerusalem Sardis
Corinth
Salvation
1 John 1.5;
Acts 2.41, 47

17. Entry
God God
GENERAL SPECIFIC
Antioch
Ethiopian
Saul
Jerusalem Sardis
Corinth
Salvation Joining
1 John 1.5;
Acts 9.26
Acts 2.41, 47

18. Members
God God
GENERAL SPECIFIC
Antioch
Ethiopian
Saul
Jerusalem Sardis
Corinth
All Saved
2 Timothy 2.19

19. Members
God God
GENERAL SPECIFIC
Antioch
Ethiopian
Saul
Jerusalem Sardis
Corinth
Those
All Saved
Received
2 Timothy 2.19
Acts 9.26

20. God “dead in Christ”
(1 Thessalonians 4.16)
Antioch
Ethiopian
Jerusalem Sardis
Saul
Corinth

21. Gathering Together
God God
GENERAL SPECIFIC
Antioch
Ethiopian
Saul
Jerusalem Sardis
Corinth
None

22. Gathering Together
God God
GENERAL SPECIFIC
Antioch
Ethiopian
Saul
Jerusalem Sardis
Corinth
None Yes
Hebrews 10.24-25

23. Schism
God God
GENERAL SPECIFIC
Antioch
Ethiopian
Saul
Jerusalem Sardis
Corinth
Cannot be
Divided
John 17.20-21

24. Schism
God God
GENERAL SPECIFIC
Antioch
Ethiopian
Saul
Jerusalem Sardis
Corinth
Cannot be Can be
Divided Divided
1 Corinthians 1.10;
John 17.20-21
3 John 9-10

25. God “dead in Christ”
(1 Thessalonians 4.16)
Antioch
Ethiopian
Jerusalem Sardis
Saul
Corinth

26. Death
God God
GENERAL SPECIFIC
Antioch
Ethiopian
Saul
Jerusalem Sardis
Corinth
No Change
Philippians 1.21-25;
Revelation 3.21

27. Death
God God
GENERAL SPECIFIC
Antioch
Ethiopian
Saul
Jerusalem Sardis
Corinth
No Change Ends
Relationship
Philippians 1.21-25;
Revelation 3.21 Acts 7.60

28. Will today be the
day you decide to
go to heaven?

29. Lesson slideshows (with notes)
and audio can be found at:
www.churchofchristmiranda.com

30. Photo Credits: (All photos from istockphoto.com are copyright protected. Please do not use without permission.)
Congregation: http://www.flickr.com/photos/bsabarnowl/
4532680606/sizes/l/in/photostream/

31. Compiled and Presented by:
Fellowship with Men Dave Stewart
Church 17 October, 2010
Las Cruces, NM
#08 www.churchofchristmiranda.com
The Church: General and Specific - 2
Synopsis: This lesson reminds us why it is important for us to maintain
proper distinction between the church in a general and specific sense.
Several criteria are examined: belonging, entry, members, gathering
together, division, and death.
“Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, copyright
© 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.”
“Let all that you do be done with love.”