Why I am a Member of the church of Christ

Lesson # 2

The Church

Introduction

            In the last lesson our focus was the concept of an identifiable pattern in Christianity. The Greek word “tupos” meaning pattern or mold is used concerning several things that relate to the church & the teachings of Christianity. The idea is that there are certain identifiable characteristics to the teachings of the gospel & the apostles. In this lesson we will focus on what the church is & is not.

 

1. Church – Ekklesia = the called out; a group of people called out to an assembly;

people called from one realm to another.

            a. Traditional views concerning the church

                        1) The building – in our day people refer to a building as the church.

                                    Acts 11:22 – report came to the ears of the church

                                    1 Pet.2:9 – Peter referred to the called out as: a chosen people; a

royal priesthood; a holy nation; a people belonging to God

                        2) A denomination – many different religious groups all teaching

different doctrines.

Jn.17:20,21 – Jesus prayed that we all be “one” (not different)

            He wants us one in what we believe & practice

1 Cor.1:10 – Paul condemns division, any division of believers

Eph.4:4-6 – one church which is the body of Christ

            b. What the church is

                        1) Those who have been saved from sin

                                    a) Mt.1:21 – why Jesus came – save His people from sin

                                                (not from famine, poverty, war, heartache etc.)

                                                (see also – Lk.19:10; 1 Tim.1:15)

                                    b) Acts 2:47 – added saved to the church

                                                As soon as one is saved the Lord adds them to His church.

                                                Therefore if one is saved - are automatically in His church

                                    c) One is saved when they are obedient to form of doctrine

                                                Rom.6:17,18

                        2) Those purchased by the blood of Jesus

                                    a) Acts 20:28: 1 Cor.6:19,20

                                    b) Jesus shed His blood for the forgiveness of man’s sin –

Mt.26:28; Eph.1:7; 1 Pet.1:18,19; Rev.1:5

                                    c) His blood forgives, redeems & washes sinners, yet it was shed to

purchase the church. Therefore the church is composed of

those who have been forgiven, redeemed & washed by the

blood of Jesus. Eph.5:25,26

                        3) The sanctified

                                    a) 1 Cor.1:2

                                    b) Idea – those set apart or dedicated to God

                        4) The body of Christ

                                    a) Eph.1:22,23; Col.1:18, 24

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                                    b) Both Jew & Gentile are reconciled in this one body – Eph.2:16

                                                Reconciled = to erase the enmity or estrangement between

parties & restore friendship. This happens when we

are in His body the church.

            c. Note that all these definitions refer to a relationship with Jesus

1) The bride of Christ - Eph.5:22-32

2) Enrolled in heaven – Heb.12:22,23

3) Those who maintain a special relationship with Jesus

 

2. Nowhere does the New Testament speak about being saved first & then later

joining the church.

a. You do not join the church of Christ – the Lord adds you to it immediately

when you are saved. You are reconciled to God in the church immediately

upon salvation.

            b. All baptized believers are added to His church – Acts 2:38,39,47

 

3. How is one added to the church?

            a. When one obeys a particular form of teaching they are saved – Rom.6:17,18

                        (this is man’s side of redemption, not God’s)

            b. The form of teaching delivered is the teaching concerning the death, burial &

resurrection of Jesus – 1 Cor.15:1-7

            c. In the book of Acts we find exactly what people did to become Christians.

                        Below is a diagram of the conversions in the book of Acts. The items

checked show which particular areas of obedience the Holy Spirit

mentions in that particular conversion.

 

                Pentecost                Samaritans    Simon          Eunuch          Saul         Cornelius        Lydia              Jailor          Corinthians

                   Acts 2      Acts 8:12   Acts 8:13   Acts 8:35-40   Acts 9:22    Acts 10   Acts 16:14,15   Acts 16:30-34    Acts 18:8

Hearing

Belief

Repentance

Confession

Baptism

 

            d. Some do not acknowledge baptism as part of the salvation experience. They see

it as just an outward expression of an inward faith, but scripture shows it is

much more.

1) Jesus connects baptism with salvation – Mk.16:15,16 (and is)

            Not say believes & is saved & can later be baptized

2) Jesus commanded all to be baptized in name of the Father, Son & The

Holy Spirit – Mt.28:18-20

3) Paul taught baptism in relation to putting on Christ – Gal.3:26,27

4) Peter taught baptism for the remission of sins – Acts 2:38,39

5) Peter taught that baptism saves - 1 Pet.3:21

            The blood of Christ cleanses our conscience (Heb.9:14). But our

conscience is only clear toward God when we are baptized

(1 Pet.3:21). Therefore our conscience is cleansed by Christ’s

blood at baptism.

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4. Consider the following

            a. Mt.28:19 - Into the name of = in Greek means “into the possession of”

                        1) It is not just a formula of words to speak at a baptism

                        2) Jesus gave Himself to purify a people unto Himself, a people for His

own possession (Titus 2:14). Since baptism is into the possession

of the Father, Son & Holy Spirit we become God’s possession at

baptism.

            b. The blood of Christ washes away sins at baptism. Paul was told to arise & be

baptized & wash away your sins (Acts 22:16). Yet it is the blood of Jesus

that washes away sin (Rev.1:5). Therefore we are washed by the blood of

Jesus at baptism.

            c. Baptism places one into Christ. It is only in Jesus that people are saved. All

spiritual blessings are in Christ (Eph.1:3). To be saved one must be in

Christ. Rom.6:3,4 shows that we are baptized into Christ Jesus. We are

also baptized into His death & burial. As one rises from the waters of

baptism they are raised to walk in a newness of life. The new life follows

our baptism into Christ.

            d. Gal.3:26,27 shows that faith leads us to be baptized into Christ. This is how we

put on Christ. A person becomes a member of the church when by faith

they repent of their sins & confess Jesus as Lord & are baptized into

Christ.

            e. Baptism is immersion, not sprinkling or pouring. The Greek word means

immersion, to plunge, dunk or submerge. Baptism is described as a burial

(Rom.6:4; Col.2:12; Acts 8:36-39). Notice at the Eunuch’s baptism they

both went down into the water & came up out of the water.

            f. Baptism is meant only for those who

                        1) Can be taught – Mt.28:18-20

(Infants can’t be taught & are not candidates for baptism)

                        2) Who can believe – Mk.16:15,16

                        3) Who can repent – Acts 2:38

                        4) Can obey the form of teaching from the heart – Rom.6:17,18

                                    (One is to respond from their own free will – their choice)

 

Conclusion

            The church of Christ is not a building or a denomination. It is the saved; those who belong to Jesus Christ. The lord adds all the saved to His church. One becomes a part of the church when by faith in Jesus they respond willingly to Jesus in repentance, confession & baptism. In doing this they put on Christ & become the possession of Jesus.