Nice & Wavy
Well-Known Member
Identifying the True Church -The Christian Church
People have different concepts and ideas as to what the Church is. There are those who conceived of the Church as everyone who simply believe in Christ as Lord and personal Savior. There are those who think the Church as all the people who simply believe in Christ. Many believe that the Church as collectively all the professing Christians Churches at large, independent and unattached, having no link with one another. Many people assume that the true Church is all the Christian professing religions or churches taken together, the conglomeration of all the so-called "Christian Religions" upholding differing beliefs, teaching irreconcilable doctrines, clinging to different hopes, and recognizing different God and concept of God. Confused? The problem now becomes one of identifying the true Church amidst the numerous claimants. What is the True Church as defined and described by the Bible? If one is really interested in the welfare of his soul, this is the one issue he cannot afford to ignore. It is one issue that every one must face and deal with. Why? What is the compelling reason why everyone must know which is the true church? Has this any bearing to one's salvation? But before engaging in the search for the True Church - the True Christian Church, it is but wise that the inquirer must know exactly what he is looking for.
The True Church That Christ Shall Save
45.11 Which is to be saved by the Savior according to the Bible?
What The True Church Is and What Is NotIn Ephesians 5:23, the following is stated:
45.12 Which is this one body to be saved by the Savior? For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. (Ephesians 5:23, NKJV)
Every professing Christian knows that Christ is the Savior. But how many know which the Savior shall save? The Bible says, "He is the Savior of the Body". It is the body that Christ shall save. One should take particular note that the Bible did not say that Christ is the savior of the bodies. The Bible is very definite that Christ is the Savior of the body. There is only one body to be saved by the Savior.
Colossians 1:18, states:
There is only one Church to be saved by Christ -- the true Church. To believe that Christ will save all existing Churches is to believe in something contrary to the teachings of the Bible.
What is the name of the Church established by Christ and which was purchased by the blood of Christ? "And he is the head of the body, the church: . . . . . " (KJV)
The body is the Church. Christ is the Savior of the body -- Savior of the Church. It should be noted again that the Bible did not say that Christ is the head of the bodies. He is the head and Savior of one body - - the only one Church.
There is only one Church to be saved by Christ -- the true Church. To believe that Christ will save all existing Churches is to believe in something contrary to the teachings of the Bible.
Acts 20:28, in several versions of the Bible, this is recorded:
How else did the Bible show the necessity of the True Church for salvation? "Take heed therefore to yourselves and to all the flock over which the Holy Spirit has appointed you overseers, to feed the Church of Christ which he has purchased with his blood." (Lamsa translation)
Take heed unto yourselves, and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit hath made you bishops, to feed the Church of the Lord which he purchased with his own blood. (American Standard Version)
"So keep watch over yourselves and over all the flock which the Holy Spirit has placed in your care. Be shepherds of the Church of God, which he made his own through the blood of his Son." (Today's English Version)
Who is the Lord who built the Church and who purchased the Church with His own blood?
Thus, the name of the True Church established by Christ and which was also purchased with His own blood and by His blood we are put right with God is rightfully named after Him the "Church of Christ". In other verses and versions of the Bible it is also called the "Church of the Lord" and the "Church of God"."So keep watch over yourselves and over all the flock which the Holy Spirit has placed in your care. Be shepherds of the Church of God, which he made his own through the blood of his Son." (Today's English Version)
Who is the Lord who built the Church and who purchased the Church with His own blood?
"And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. (Matthew 16:18, NKJV)
"Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.'' ( Acts 2:36, NKJV)
How God made the Church His own through the blood of His Son?"Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.'' ( Acts 2:36, NKJV)
But God has shown us how much he loves us --- it was while we were still sinners that Christ died for us! By his blood we are now put right with God; how much more, then, will we be saved by him from God's anger! (Romans 5:8-9, Today's English Version)
In Acts 2:47, the answer is stated:
Why is this necessary that God adds people to the Church in order to be saved? Is there salvation outside the True Church? Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved. (Acts 2:47, KJV)
It is to the Church where God adds people in order to be saved.
God judges those outside. "Drive out the wicked person from among you."
(1 Corinthians 5:13, RSV)
Outside the true Church is the judgment and condemnation of God. For this reason, from outside the Church, God adds people to the true Church in order to be saved. Therefore, how important is it to know which is the True Church? This knowledge in indispensable for salvation. Why? Because according to the teachings of the Bible, in order for man to be saved he must be in the True Church.(1 Corinthians 5:13, RSV)
But before engaging in the search for the true Church, it is but wise that the inquirer must know exactly what he is looking for. For this reason, it is right for us to ask: What is the Church of Christ as defined and described by the Bible?
People have different concepts and ideas as to what the Church is. For instance,
People have different concepts and ideas as to what the Church is. For instance,
- There are those who conceived of the Church as everyone who simply believe in Christ as Lord and personal Savior.
- There are those who think the Church as all the people who simply believe in Christ.
- Many believe that the Church as collectively all the professing Christians Churches at large, independent and unattached, having no link with one another.
- Many people assume that the true Church is all the Christian professing religions or churches taken together, the conglomeration of all the so-called "Christian Religions" upholding differing beliefs, teaching irreconcilable doctrines, clinging to different hopes, and recognizing different God and concept of God?