Why am I a member of The Church of Christ? That's a fair question. I've been asked that for years and I have even been subjected to some criticism because of it. Certainly not the kind of persecution that the Christians suffered in the early church, and I thank God for that. I am a member of The Church that Jesus Christ came to earth to establish. He lived a perfect life, served as the only perfect sacrifice for the sins of all people of the world from Adam and Eve until today. On the day of Pentecost, Jesus established the early Church. He told Peter that he was going to build HIS CHURCH. And build it he did. He suffered an agonizing death, unlawfully crucified by the very chosen people of his father, thereby purchasing an opportunity for us all to be saved by the shedding of His blood on that day. The Apostles, armed with the spiritual gifts of the Holy Ghost, were sent to spread the Gospel throughout the known world, and to help guide the new Christians in the proper way of worship and doctrine. Jesus' Church had been established, and the New Testament was being written. Today, we have the inspired writings of the men who bore witness to Jesus, His life, His death, resurrection and finally his ascension into heaven. The worship and doctrine of the early Christians is well documented within the pages of The Bible. 20 centuries after Jesus, you can still find congregations who pattern their lives, teachings and beliefs precisely as it was given to the very first Christians who ever walked on the face of the earth. These congregations of The Lord's Church have been in existence since the days when the apostles were organizing and instructing the early Church. Did this early Church have a name? We know from the scriptures that the early congregations of The Lord's Church were referred to as The Churches of Christ. It is important to note that The Church of Christ is not so much a name as it is a designation of ownership. We who are members, simply call it "The Lord's Church." We call ourselves Christians because Christ is the head of The Lord's Church. We will put no man made name before Christ, or wear any man made name for any reason. The Bible contains the truth of God's Word and is our sole source of instruction and authority for all that we do. Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and he came here to save us. When he established His Church, it was one Church, undivided and complete. There were no man made denominations of the original. Only one Church was established on the Day of Pentecost. There is a congregation of faithful followers of the only Church that Jesus Christ ever built. That congregation can be found, 20 centuries later, in Granby, Missouri and countless other places across the earth. It is His Church, therefore it is The Church Of Christ. I serve God, and I am a member of The Lord's Church and I obey the truth of God's Word which is found within the pages of The Bible. With that being said, let me remind you that earlier in this effort, mention was made that The Bible is our only authority for all that we do. It stands to reason, therefore, that scriptural support must be found in order to substantiate everything that has been said to this point in order for this effort to be valid, genuine and worthy of any consideration. If you are interested in the defense of The Lord's Church so far, then you are invited to study along as we look to The Bible for the answers to everything.
Colossians
3:17 Why do we use The Bible as our only authority for what we believe, what we practice, how we worship and how we conduct our lives? The answer is, because it's God's Word. You cannot believe part of The Bible and discard the rest. Once we start down that road, anything is possible.
2 Timothy 3:16-17
Matthew 28:18-20
(50) And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak."
John 12:48
Where in history are there recorded any words spoken by Jesus other than what can be found in The Bible? It therefore stands to reason that The Bible must be the final authority in all that is practiced and all that is taught. Jesus told us to observe ALL the things that he commanded of us and he also told us that we would be judged according to his words which he spoke under the direct authority of His Father, who is also God, Our Father. Now we come to a question of utmost importance to us all. Can we be sure that by simply attending any congregation designated as The Church Of Christ, we can automatically be on the right path to salvation? The answer to that question is NO. Why is this so? The answer is that each congregation is individually responsible for teaching and adhering to the Truth of God's Word. You are ultimately responsible for your own salvation. It is your duty as a Christian to KNOW the truth of God's Word. If you are a member of any religious organization, then you must help to guide your brothers and sisters in Christ to the knowledge of the Truth of God's Word. Let's go to The Bible for our instruction in this matter. First of all, let's look at a warning from the scriptures pertaining to the teaching of false doctrine. (6) I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:(7) Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. (8) But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. (9) As we said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed. In reading the scripture above, can we with reasonable conviction conclude that it is a bad thing to pervert the Truth of God's Word, even if it is done by an angel from heaven? This is a very stern warning to those of us who would proclaim God's Word. We have a responsibility to teach The Truth, The whole Truth, and nothing but The Truth of God's Word. To do any less would be to invite eternal destruction. We have The Bible. We have already seen that it is complete and that it thoroughly furnishes us in all things pertaining to our salvation. (8) This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.(9) But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. In reading the above scripture, could it be concluded that commandments or practices of men would be unacceptable to God? Would not these doctrines of man be looked upon as vain? Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.In reading the verse above, can we logically conclude that our salvation is our own responsibility and that it should be taken seriously? If we are to work out our own salvation with fear and trembling as we read above, would it not stand to reason that our worship and Christian practices follow to the letter, what is authorized in the scriptures? Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
How do we interpret the truth of God's word from the scriptures? There are so many differing views as to what is exactly required of us to be pleasing to our God. We must study in order to come to the knowledge of the truth. In rightly dividing the word of truth, there are 2 rules that we must adhere to in order to be sure that we are on the right path and that our lives are found to be pleasing to God.
Let's look at an example. (30) And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?(31) And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. James 2:24-26 (24) Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. (25) Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way? (26) For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. The first passage taken without the second would lead one to think that faith only would be sufficient for salvation. But taken in conjunction with the second passage given, would confirm that belief or faith only would lead one to fall short of the word of God. Therefore, when we search the truth of God's Word for the answers to our salvation, we must not leave anything out. We must rightly interpret the Word of God. Do you feel comforted when surrounded by others of the same belief? Do you feel that God, being a loving God would never condemn those who believe and practice in error? If you feel this to be true then carefully read the next scripture. (21) Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.(22) Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? (23) And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. Could it be said that Jesus will not accept everyone who calls on his name even if they have done many wonderful works? (13) Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: (14) Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. Did not Jesus himself say that few would find their way to life? This is a tragic warning to the religious world of the importance of worship and living within the Truth of God's Word. We should take this warning very seriously. (9) 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.(10) If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: (11) For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds. Could the above scripture be interpreted as saying that we should not allow those who do not follow the doctrine of Christ into our house, or to bid him God speed? Would that not be considered condoning something that is in error? In summary, I am a member of The Lord's Church. The same one that was established on the Day of Pentecost many centuries ago by Jesus Christ Himself, the very same church that he died to build. I believe and practice everything that he commanded of me. I use only the truth of God's Word as the authority for what I say and do. I believe that it is necessary to abide wholly on the entire truth of God's Word in order to be pleasing to him. And I believe that if I do this and be faithful unto death I will stand before Jesus Christ on that final day and hear the words... "His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord." |
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