ONE CHURCH

ONE CHURCH

“THE CHURCH OF GOD”

The body of Christ is the church of God. It is not a man-made organization; neither does it have an earthly headquarters. Jesus Christ is the founder and head. He sits on His throne of glory in heaven next to His Father. The elders of the church are admonished to "Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood." (Acts 20:28). In the prophetic book of Isaiah, we are told that the day would come when God would establish His people in righteousness, brightness, salvation and with a "new name." Isaiah 62:1-2 reads,

"For Zion's sake will I not hold my peace, and for Jerusalem's sake I will not rest, until the righteousness thereof go forth as brightness, and the salvation thereof as a lamp that burneth. And the Gentiles shall see thy righteousness, and all kings thy glory: and thou shalt be called by a new name, which the mouth of the LORD shall name." Where would we look to find the "new name" which the mouth of the Lord would name His people? Where, but the New Testament? A search of New Testament scriptures will provide us with only one clear answer. When the body of Christ was referred to by name, it was always named "the church of God." The word "church" means "called out." Certainly, God's people are called out of this world and called to the fellowship of light and truth in Christ Jesus.

Study the following list of scripture texts and answer the question: What is the name of the church? Matthew 16:18 Jesus said, "I will build my church..." Acts 20:28 Paul said, "feed the church of God, which he hath purchased..." 1 Corinthians 1:2 Paul wrote, "Unto the church of God which is at Corinth..." Galatians 1:13 Paul confessed, "I persecuted the church of God..."1 Timothy 3:5 Paul warned, "how shall he take care of the church of God..." 1 Corinthians 10:32 "Give none offence...to the church of God." 1 Corinthians 11:22 "despise ye the church of God...?" 1 Corinthians 15:9 "because I persecuted the church of God." 2 Corinthians 1:1 "unto the church of God which is at Corinth," The true church of God is not a building made by man. It is rather the congregation of saints whose souls have been washed in the blood of Jesus Christ. They have become the temple of God and are made members of the church of God by reason of their being born again into the family of God. We put the name "Church of God" over the doors of a building only because we want to let the world know that it is the meeting house for the church of God to worship, sing praises, teach and preach the true doctrines of Christ. The Old Testament tabernacle was the earthly structure where God's presence was and where His glory dwelt. (Exodus 40:35; 1 Kings 8:10,11).

The evangelist Stephen said in Acts 7:38 that this tabernacle was "the church in the wilderness." This Old Testament tabernacle pointed forward to a greater and more perfect tabernacle. (Hebrews 9:1-14). Jesus Christ gave His life to purchase and establish a new church. Never again would God dwell in temples made with hands. On the day of Pentecost the new church was dedicated and sanctified by the Holy Ghost with fire. The tongues of fire symbolized the purifying action of the Holy Spirit as He purged hearts of their inherited carnal nature. (Acts 2:41-47). We become members of the body of Christ, the church, by means of the new birth. "And of Zion it shall be said, This and that man was born in her: and the highest himself shall establish her.

The LORD shall count, when he writeth up the people, that this man was born there. Selah." (Psalms 87:5,6). Old Testament Zion, Jerusalem, was a type and shadow of the New Testament church. This is the exact same subject which Jesus was addressing when He said, "Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." Later He said, "Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again." In order to see the beauty of the church of God, you must be born again. In order to fully understand the doctrines of the church of God, you must be born again. Scoffers, sinners, religious hypocrites and unbelievers can not comprehend the truths of God.

The Apostle Paul made this emphatically clear, "Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned." (I Corinthians 2:12-14). Neither water baptism, shaking the preacher's hand, signing a card or going to a public altar can earn admission into the church of God. Only the saved can find entrance through the door Jesus Christ. If any one would enter in any other way, he is a thief and a robber. He will not succeed in gaining entrance into heaven's gates. (Acts 2:47; 1 Corinthians 12:18).

The church of God was divinely built, purchased and organized. There are certain and unchangeable requirements for membership. It is a spiritual organization. 1 Peter 2:5 The condition of membership is salvation. Acts 2:47 The membership book is called the Book of Life kept in heaven by the Head of the church. Philippians 4:3,4; Luke 10:20; Psalms 87:5,6; Exodus 32:30-33; Revelation 20:12 The name of the church is given in New Testament scriptures. Acts 20:28; 1 Corinthians 1:2; Galatians 1:13; 1 Timothy 3:5; 1 Corinthians 10:32; 2 Corinthians 1:1; and others. The word of God is the only necessary rule of faith. John 17:14; 2 Timothy 3:16,17 God has placed overseers to care for the church. Acts 20:28; Acts 14:22, 23; 1 Peter 5:2,3

Facts About The Church

Jesus Organized It: Matthew 16:18 - And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

Good Foundation : Ephesians 2:20 - And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; 1Corinthians 3:11- For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

Christ Governs it : Ephesians 1:22-23 - And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all. Isaiah 9:6 - For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

God Admits Members : Acts 2:47- Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved. 1 Corinthians12:13-18 - For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. For the body is not one member, but many. If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling? But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.

Sin Puts You Out : Romans 11:22 - Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off. Exodus 32:33 - And the LORD said unto Moses, Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book.

Only Saved Members : John 15:2-6 - Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.

Membership Offered to All : Revelations 22:17 - And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.

Final Rewards : Revelations 20:12-15 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. Revelations 21:3-4 - And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. Revelations 22:14 - Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.