UNIQUE

Matt 16:13-16 When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets. He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. Eph 3:20-4:6 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen. I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. The is not simply an indicator that there is only one. It is an emphatic declaration of the solitary and unique existence of whatever or whoever it modifies.

unique

(y n k), adj. 1. existing as the only one or as the sole example; single; solitary in type or characteristics. 2. having no like or equal; unparalleled; incomparable. 3. limited in occurrence to a given class, situation, or area. 4. limited to a single outcome or result; without alternative possibilities. 5. not typical; unusual. 6. the embodiment of unique characteristics; the only specimen of a given kind. [15951605; < F < L nicus, equiv. to n(us) one + -icus -IC]

I. THE CHRIST A. We must believe in the Christ. 1. John 20:31 But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name. 2. 1 John 5:1 Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him. 3. Mark 16:15-16 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. B. Not believing means denying. 1. 1 John 2:22 Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son. II. THE SON OF [THE] GOD A. A fact witnessed by miracles. 1. John 20:30-31 And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: But these are written, that ye might believe that [the] Jesus is the Christ, the Son of [the] God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.

2 B. Acknowledgement of this is essential to salvation. 1. 1 John 4:15 Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of [the] God, [the] God dwelleth in him, and he in [the] God. C. Part of the gospel we preach and teach. 1. Acts 9:20 And straightway he preached [the] Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of [the] God. D. Knowing this enables Christians to continue. 1. Gal 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of [the] God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. III. THE WAY. A. The only way to the Father 1. John 14:5-6 Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way? Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. 2. 1 Cor 3:11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. IV. THE CHURCH A. God adds to the church. 1. Acts 2:46-47 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved. B. Some feed the church. 1. Acts 20:28 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. V. CHRIST IS THE HEAD OF THE CHURCH. A. The church is subject to Christ. 1. Eph 5:24-25 Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; B. Christ has the preeminence. 1. Col 1:18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. VI. THE DOCTRINE [TEACHING] OF THE CHRIST, THE SON OF THE LIVING GOD. A. His doctrine, the doctrine, is from God. 1. John 7:16-18 Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me. If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself. He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory: but he that seeketh his glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him.

3 B. We are to be zealous of the doctrine. 1. Rom 16:17-18 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple. C. We are to continue in the doctrine 1. 1 Tim 4:16 Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine ; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee. D. To oppose the doctrine is to court withdrawal. 1. 1 Tim 6:3-5 If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself. E. To transgress the doctrine of Christ is to deny God. 1. 2 John 9-11 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds. VII. THE FAITH [THE BELIEF IN THE TEACHING] OF THE CHRIST. A. We are to continue in the faith. 1. Acts 14:21-22 And when they had preached the gospel to that city, and had taught many, they returned again to Lystra, and to Iconium, and Antioch, Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God. B. We are to stand fast in the faith. 1. 1 Cor 16:13 Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong. C. We are to preach and teach the faith. 1. Gal 1:23 But they had heard only, That he which persecuted us in times past now preacheth the faith which once he destroyed. D. We are to contend earnestly for the faith. 1. Jude 3 Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. E. We are to keep the faith. 1. 2 Tim 4:7-8 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing. F. Our reward will be in heaven. 1. Rev 14:12 Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.