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Emphasis Placed On The Right Church? By: Gary Colley
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Emphasis Placed On The Right Church? By: Gary Colley
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While it is true that the devil and the world do not place emphasis on being members of the New Testament church, the Saviour of the world certainly does! Since it is in our utmost eternal interest to be saved, and help others to do the same, we place emphasis on being members of the right church. Though it is often said, "One can be saved outside as well as in the church," "One church is as good as another, " or "one can be saved and not be a member of any church," the Bible does agree! At times people think members of the church of Christ are saying that one man-made church is better than another, but listening more closely one will not find this to be the case. We would agree that one man-made church is as good as another, but the New Testament church is not built by the teaching of men, but the teaching of Christ. Jesus built His church on His teaching
(Matthew 16:13-19). Jesus said after His resurrection, ". . All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen (Matthew 28:18-30)." Jesus paid for his church with his precious blood, but paid for no one else's church (Acts 20:28). Jesus adds all the saved (obedient) to His church, but never adds on to a denomination
(Acts 2:37-38, Acts 2:41, Acts 2:47). Men voting, for or against one, cannot change man's destiny! Jesus knows His church from all others, by the name, worship, organization, and plan of salvation. These are all legislated by the King, and He will accept no other way
(Matthew 7:21-25). Jesus has promised to save His church, which is His body or kingdom, but promises to save no other (Ephesians 1:22-23, Ephesians 4:4, Ephesians 5:23)! For these important reasons, we urge all to study, learn, and obey christ, becoming member of the church one can read about in the New Testament. It is the only church in which one can be saved . . not because we say so, but because Christ says so (Matthew 10:32-33)!