Seven "Denominations"

In Asia ?

John 17:17-23

17 "Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. 18 "As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. 19 "And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they also may be sanctified by the truth. 20 "I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; 21 "that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me.

22 "And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: 23 "I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me."

John 17:17-23

The Problem Described

The Problem Described• The Beginning of the Church

The Problem Described• The Beginning of the Church

• The Spread of the Church

The Problem Described• The Beginning of the Church

• The Spread of the Church

• Identical or Diverse

The Problem Described• The Beginning of the Church

• The Spread of the Church

• Identical or Diverse

• Those seven "churches" in Asia

His Body in Asia—Rev. 1:11 11 saying, "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last," and, "What you see, write in a book and send it to the seven churches which are in Asia: to Ephesus, to Smyrna, to Pergamos, to Thyatira, to Sardis, to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea."

Rev. 1:11

Ephesus

Laodicea

Smyrna

Thyatira

Pergamus

Philadelphia

Sardis

Laodecia

The Problem Described• The Beginning of the Church

• The Spread of the Church

• Identical or Diverse

• Those seven "churches" in Asia

• Approved/disapproved by God

The Problem Described• The Beginning of the Church

• The Spread of the Church

• Identical or Diverse

• Those seven "churches" in Asia

• Approved/disapproved by God

• To understand them is to under-stand where we need to be today

Ephesus

His Body in Asia—Rev. 1:11

Ephesus

Smyrna

His Body in Asia—Rev. 1:11

Ephesus

Smyrna

Pergamus

His Body in Asia—Rev. 1:11

Ephesus

Thyatira

Smyrna

Pergamus

His Body in Asia—Rev. 1:11

Ephesus

Thyatira

Smyrna

Pergamus

His Body in Asia—Rev. 1:11

Sardis

Ephesus

Thyatira

Smyrna

Pergamus

Philadelphia

His Body in Asia—Rev. 1:11

Sardis

Ephesus

Thyatira

Smyrna

Pergamus

Philadelphia

Laodicea

His Body in Asia—Rev. 1:11

Sardis

Churches Established by Paul

9 But when some were hardened and did not believe, but spoke evil of the Way before the multitude, he departed from them and withdrew the disciples, reasoning daily in the school of Tyrannus. 10 And this continued for two years, so that all who dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks.

Acts 19:9-10

Paul and Unity

Paul and Unity

• Preached the same everywhere

Preached the Same Everywhere

17 For this reason I have sent Timothy to you, who is my beloved and faithful son in the Lord, who will remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach everywhere in every church.

1 Cor. 4:17

Paul and Unity

• Preached the same everywhere

• There is only one gospel

There is only one Gospel

6 I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, 7 which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ.

Gal. 1:6-7

Paul and Unity

• Preached the same everywhere

• There is only one gospel

• Teach another gospel – Accursed

Teach Any Other Gospel=Accursed

8 But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. 9 As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed.

Gal. 1:8-9

Paul and Unity

• Preached the same everywhere

• There is only one gospel

• Teach another gospel – Accursed

• Mark false teachers

Mark False Teachers

17 Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them. 18 For those who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple.

Rom. 16:17-18

Paul and Unity

• Preached the same everywhere

• There is only one gospel

• Teach another gospel – Accursed

• Mark false teachers

• Division shows carnality

Division Shows Carnality

1 And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ. 2 I fed you with milk and not with solid food; for until now you were not able to receive it, and even now you are still not able; 3 for you are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men?

1 Cor. 3:1-3

Paul and Unity

• Preached the same everywhere

• There is only one gospel

• Teach another gospel – Accursed

• Mark false teachers

• Division shows carnality

• Walk by another rule=enemy of the cross

Walk by Another Rule=Enemy of Cross

16 Nevertheless, to the degree that we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us be of the same mind. 17 Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern. 18 For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ.

Phil. 3:16-18

Paul and Unity

• Preached the same everywhere

• There is only one gospel

• Teach another gospel – Accursed

• Mark false teachers

• Division shows carnality

• Walk by another rule=enemy of the cross

• Speak same thing, be of same mind

Speak and Think the Same

10 Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

1 Cor. 1:10

Jesus and Unity

Jesus and Unity• His desire for Unity - John 17:20,21

Jesus and Unity• His desire for Unity - John 17:20,21

• Hates false teaching - Rev. 2:6, 15

Jesus and Unity• His desire for Unity - John 17:20,21

• Hates false teaching - Rev. 2:6, 15

• Punishes false teachers - Rev. 2:20-22

Jesus and Unity• His desire for Unity - John 17:20,21

• Hates false teaching - Rev. 2:6, 15

• Punishes false teachers - Rev. 2:20-22

• Cease to recognize a church - Rev. 2:5

Becoming One With Jesus

• Believe John 8:24

• Repent 2 Pet. 3:9

• Confess Faith Rom. 10:9

• Baptized into Christ Gal. 3:27

Added to His church, His body, His kingdom

• Be Faithful Rev. 2:10