The Neglected Church
For many years, people have been emphasizing a personal relationship with Jesus, and have neglected a critical part of that relationship. People have neglected the function of the church, and have failed to see that you cannot have a relationship with Jesus Christ apart from His church.
The church is the earthly body of Christ. Not the same body that hung on the cross, but the essence and representation of what Christ is. Christ is depicted as the Head of the body, the church in Colossians 1:18. It is the rule of Christ that directs the body, just the same as a physical human body cannot live without the head controlling it. The church is the body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all (Ephesians 1:22-23). We (Christians) were all baptized into this one body (1 Corinthians 12:13). Two weeks ago, we talked about getting into Christ through baptism. Our baptism also puts us into His church. The Lord adds those to His church that are being saved (Acts 2:47). This does not mean that your name on a church membership role guarantees a place in Heaven. That is still your responsibility to get there via your personal relationship with God. Jesus built (Matthew 16:18) His church for a reason. The purchase price was His blood (Acts 20:28). He is the head (Ephesians 5:23,24) and we are subject to Him.
God places the primary responsibility of teaching the gospel on the church, and secondarily upon each member. Why? “In order that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known through the church …” Ephesians 3:10.
The Church in salvation carries just as much weight as the death on the Cross. You cannot be saved without being in and participating in the church. It is the church that Jesus will present to God in the great judgment day (Ephesians 5:24-30). You cannot be saved if you are outside of the church. Please come visit us and learn more about His church.
We know that God is not willing that any perish (2 Peter 3:9). You must believe that Jesus is the Son of God and died on the cross for your sins. (Acts 8:37). You must repent of your sins (Luke 13:3), you must confess Jesus as Lord (Matthew 10:32) and you must be baptized for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38; 22:16). Then you must remain faithful and continue learning how to serve God (2 Peter 3:18). Let us help you on your spiritual journey. May God bless you in your study of His word.
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By Carey Scott via the Madisonville Meteor; March 11, 2009

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