Series: In Defense of Faith

Service: Gospel Meeting

Type: Sermon

Speaker: Kevin Clark

Summary Defending God's One True Church

📘 Sermon Information

Course Title: Christian Apologetics

Instructor: Kevin Clark

Date: 2025-10-05 Gospel Meeting Sunday PM Worship

Chapter/Topic: Defending God's One True Church

🧠Key Learnings

Jesus established one church

Summary:

• Jesus promised to build a single church (Matthew 16:13–19). The promise is grounded on the confession that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God. The New Testament presents the church in the singular — the Lord’s church — as an objective, divinely-founded reality rather than a human invention or one of many equally-valid alternatives.
• The church belongs to Jesus (He said, “I will build My church”). It is purchased and owned by Christ, not by men, councils, or denominations.

Detailed explanation:

• Matthew 16:16–18 shows a foundational confession (“You are the Christ”) and the resulting establishment of “my church” (singular). The authority of Scripture requires accepting this declaration even when many human institutions contradict it.
• The church’s origin is divine; human plurality of congregations does not alter the scriptural claim of one church founded by Christ.

Example:

• The lecture contrasted cultural or denominational plurality with the biblical claim of one church — stressing that appearances (many churches) do not change the biblical fact of one church established by Christ. —— Kevin Clark

The one church is the body of Christ and has Christ as its head

Summary:

• The church is described as Christ’s body (Ephesians 1:22–23; 4:1–6). Christ is the head of that body (Ephesians 5:22–33). Because Christ is head, authority in the church derives from Him.
• All work done in the church must be by the authority of Christ (Colossians 3:17): doing things “in the name of” the Lord means doing them by His authority, not simply using His name to justify human innovations.

Detailed explanation:

• "One body, one Spirit, one Lord, one faith, one baptism" (Eph 4:4–6) emphasizes unity and singularity. The “body” refers directly to the church (Eph 1:22–23).
• The husband-wife analogy (Eph 5:22–33) centers on Christ–church relationship: Christ’s headship over the church is the model for order and loving care. Because Christ governs the church, local practice must conform to what He authorizes.
• Colossians 3:17 warns against doing things merely labeled by Christ’s name; legitimate practices require Christ’s authority.

Example:

• The instructor used the household/guest analogy: if you are in someone’s house you follow that host’s rules; similarly, being in Christ’s church obligates submission to Christ’s authority. —— Kevin Clark

Entry into the one church is by obedience to the gospel culminating in baptism

Summary:

• One is brought into the one body (church) by the Spirit through baptism (1 Corinthians 12:12–13). Baptism is the culminating act of obedience that adds one to the body.
• Acts 2:36–41 presents Peter’s Pentecost message: repent and be baptized for the remission of sins, after which about 3,000 were added to the church. The Lord “added to the church” those who were being saved.

Detailed explanation:

• Obedience to the gospel includes hearing, believing, repenting, confessing, and being baptized. Baptism is not merely an outward sign; Scripture links baptism with the remission of sins and with being incorporated into the one body.
• The biblical pattern repeatedly connects baptism to salvation and entry into the church (e.g., Acts 2, Mark 16:16, 1 Peter 3:21, Acts 22:16, 1 Cor 12:13). Sincere belief without Biblical obedience (including baptism) leaves one outside the church as Scripture defines it.

Example:

• The lecturer recounted a case of a student who initially thought belief alone sufficed, but after being shown Acts and Paul’s teaching, concluded he needed to be baptized and did so. —— Kevin Clark

Distinction between the universal (one) church and local congregations; local organization and leadership

Summary:

• The “one church” (universal) is distinct from local congregations. When someone obeys the gospel, God adds them to the one body/universal church. Local congregations are specific gatherings of those who have been added to the one body and who work together in a place (Acts 2:41–47; Romans 16:16; Acts 9:26–30).
• Local congregations are to be organized with elders (bishops/pastors) and deacons, appointed when qualified men are available (Acts 14:23; Philippians 1:1; Titus 1; 1 Timothy 3).

Detailed explanation:

• Scripture uses “the church” for the universal body and “churches” for local assemblies. Both uses are scriptural and compatible: obedience to the gospel adds one to the universal church; one then associates and serves with a local church.
• The New Testament models local leadership: apostles appointed elders in each church (Acts 14:23). Qualifications for elders/bishops and deacons are given (1 Timothy 3; Titus 1). Elders are male and must meet specified qualifications—this is presented as God’s instruction, not cultural preference.

Example:

• Saul/Paul “tried to join” the disciples in Jerusalem (Acts 9:26) — illustrating the concept of joining a local group after being added to the universal church. Paul’s acceptance required endorsement (Barnabas) showing local accountability and approval. —— Kevin Clark

Practical and pastoral implications — urgency of obedience, accountability, and mission

Summary:

• There is an individual responsibility to be ready to give a defense for the hope within (1 Peter 3:13–15). Believers' conduct should prompt questions from others about their hope.
• There is urgency in obeying the gospel now (the speaker urged immediate response to avoid gambling with the soul). Obedience brings cleansing of conscience, purpose, and ability to serve.

Detailed explanation:

• Christian life should be distinct in speech, conduct, priorities, and habits so others ask about the hope believers possess. Believers must be prepared and gentle when giving reasons for their hope.
• Delay in responding to God’s invitations risks missing opportunity (the Lord could return, or one could die). Early obedience brings a meaningful life of service and avoids wasting years “doing the will of the Gentiles” (1 Peter 4 reference).

Example:

• The Pentecost conversions (Acts 2) show prompt response and immediate addition to the church, resulting in communal life, growth, and mission effectiveness. The speaker also used personal exhortation and pastoral invitation for anyone present to obey now. —— Kevin Clark

✏️ Key Concepts

Concept 1: One Church (Singularity)

Definition:

• The teaching that Christ established a single, universal church which is His body.

Key Points:

• Scriptural basis: Matthew 16:18; Ephesians 4:4–6; Ephesians 1:22–23.
• “One” is repeated and emphasized in the New Testament.
• Human multiplicity of denominations does not negate the biblical claim.

Example / Analogy:

• Many buildings or congregations exist, but Scripture describes one body founded by Christ — akin to many branches that belong to the same root. —— Kevin Clark

Concept 2: Christ is Head of the Church

Definition:

• Christ has sovereign authority over the church and is its ultimate ruler and Savior.

Key Points:

• Ephesians 5:22–33 presents Christ–church relationship; Christ loved the church and gave Himself for it.
• Authority flows from Christ; church practice must be authorized by Him (Colossians 3:17).

Example / Analogy:

• Host/guest analogy: being in the Lord’s house requires following the owner’s rules rather than inventing your own. —— Kevin Clark

Concept 3: Entry by Obedience (Baptism)

Definition:

• Scripture teaches the addition to the church occurs when a person obeys the gospel, culminating in baptism that unites them with Christ’s body.

Key Points:

• 1 Corinthians 12:13—“by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body.”
• Acts 2:38–41—repentance and baptism for remission of sins; the Lord adds those being saved to the church.
• Baptism is not merely symbolic but is connected to remission of sins and inclusion in the body.

Example / Analogy:

• The Pentecost conversions (about 3,000 added that day) model the pattern of preaching, repentance, baptism, and addition to the church. —— Kevin Clark

Concept 4: Local Congregations and Leadership

Definition:

• The universal church is expressed locally in congregations that organize, worship, and work together under qualified local leadership.

Key Points:

• Local churches exist and can be “joined” for the purpose of local work (Acts 9:26–30; Romans 16:16).
• Elders and deacons are scripturally prescribed; qualifications given in Titus 1 and 1 Timothy 3.
• Local appointment of elders occurred on missionary returns (Acts 14:23). Leadership must meet biblical qualifications, not cultural preferences.

Example / Analogy:

• Saul/Paul’s attempt to join Jerusalem’s disciples demonstrates local acceptance and endorsement (Barnabas’ role). —— Kevin Clark

Concept 5: Evangelism, Urgency, and Personal Accountability

Definition:

• Believers are individually responsible to live distinctively, answer inquiries about their hope, and urge prompt obedience to the gospel.

Key Points:

• 1 Peter 3:13–15 instructs readiness to give a defense with meekness and fear.
• Delay in obedience is framed as gambling with the soul; immediate response is urged.
• Obedience brings spiritual cleansing, peace of conscience, and opportunity to serve meaningfully.

Example / Analogy:

• Naaman’s servants’ counsel “do what the prophet says” parallels the call to obey God’s prescribed steps for salvation. —— Kevin Clark

🔄 Q&A/Discussion

Question 1: How can you reconcile the Bible’s “one church” with many denominations/churches today? Answer 1: The Bible teaches one universal church founded by Christ. Local congregations are expressions of that one church in particular places. Differences among denominations do not change the scriptural reality of one body (Eph 4). The term “churches” in Romans 16:16 refers to local assemblies, not multiple universal churches. —— Kevin Clark

Question 2: How does one become part of the Lord’s church? Answer 2: By obeying the gospel—hearing, believing, repenting, confessing, and being baptized. Scripture (1 Cor 12:13; Acts 2:38–41; Acts 22:16) teaches baptism by the Spirit into the one body as the decisive act by which one is added to the church. —— Kevin Clark

Question 3: Are women eligible to be elders? Answer 3: According to 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1, the qualifications for elders/bishops indicate a male who is husband of one wife and meets other specified qualifications; the lecture argued that elders must be men based on these passages. —— Kevin Clark

📚 Assignments

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