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The Church For Which Christ Died
"The Church For Which Christ Died"
There is much confusion on the subject of the church. Some say, "Join the church of your choice." Others would have you believe that the church is of no consequence at all. What does the Bible say about this subject?
The Bible says that Christ promised to build His church (Matt. 16:18). Based upon Peter's confession in Christ as the Son of God, Jesus said, "I will build my church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." Not until Acts 2 do we read of this church being in existence. There, we find that the Lord added the saved to the church. He was adding those who had followed His plan to "repent and be baptized ... for the remission of sins" (Acts 2:38, 41, 47). After Acts 2, the church is always spoken of as being in existence. In considering the New Testament passages on the church, we find that the Lord's church:
Wears His Name
Paul said, "the churches of Christ greet you" (Rom. 16:16). This is not a proper name, but a description of the people. They are a congregation (called out group) of people belonging to Christ. The Lord's church does not wear the name of any man. "Church of God" is used in the Bible, but that only makes sense, for is not Jesus also God (deity)? Sometimes we find the word "church" alone used in the Bible. This is logical for there were no other "churches" in the first century. When someone talked about "the church" in the first century, it was understood of whom they were speaking. Again, for all of this, it was not a proper name, but a description of the people.
Follows His Revealed Word
Many today teach that Christ is still revealing His will to people. This is simply not true. Jude said that God's word has been "once for all delivered to the saints" (Jude 3). Paul said the gospel had been preached to all the world in his day (Col. 1:5-6, 23). The Lord's church follows Christ's revealed word, not "modern" revelation that, many times, contradicts the plain statements of the Bible.
The Lord's church does not follow the statements and rulings of councils, synods, conventions, etc. Denominations have conventions to decide what they will believe and teach. They then change their creeds in accordance with the rulings of the leadership. If a more liberal leadership is in place, the teachings will be more liberal; if they a have a more conservative leadership in place, their teachings will be more conservative. Friends, where do we find such things taking place in the Bible? The Lord's church, the church of Christ (Rom. 16:16), does not follow councils, synods, and the like, but asks, "what saith the Scripture"? (Rom. 4:3). The church for which Christ died speaks as the Bible, and says, "If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God" (I Pet. 4:11).
Worships God In Spirit And In Truth
Jesus made it clear that "God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth" (Jn. 4:24). Notice, that Jesus says it is a MUST for people to worship God "in spirit and in truth." If something is a "must", it means we have no choice but to do it. What does this mean to worship God "in spirit and in truth"?
Based on John 4:24, we see that worship to God involves three essential things: 1) The right object (God). 2) The right spirit (Attitude). 3) The right act (The truth). Whether or not God accepts or rejects our worship depends upon whether or not we worship Him "in spirit" and "in truth"! As Jesus spoke these words to the Samaritan, He was saying that true worshippers need to be focused on spiritual matters, not physical (Rom. 14:17). That is why we do not have pie suppers, bingo, etc.!!
The second part has to do with "truth." In order for our worship to be acceptable to God, we must worship in connection with what the Bible says (Jn. 17:17; I Pet. 4:11), doing all things by Christ's authority (Col. 3:17).
