EVERY CHRISTIAN IS A MEMBER OF THE CHURCH OF CHRIST

There are those today who claim that the Bible teaches that there are Christians who are not members of the church of Christ.  But I have no hesitation in affirming that the Bible teaches that every person who is a Christian is, a member of the church of Christ.  This means, obviously, that I am affirming that the Bible teaches that there are no Christians who are not members of the church of Christ.  The church of Christ is the body of Christ (Ephesians 1:22-23; Colossians 1: 18). The saved are those who have been reconciled unto God, and those who have been reconciled unto God are members of the body (church) of Christ (Ephesians 2:13-18).  The matter is really just that simple, but in the light of the importance of the matter, let us say a bit more about it.

The Bible teaches that salvation is in Christ (II Timothy 2:10).  To be in Christ is to be in His church (Galatians 3:26-27; I Corinthians 12:13; Mark 16:15-16; Acts 20:28; Acts 2:38; Ephesians 1:7; et al.). The Bible teaches that it is impossible for one to “cross the line” into salvation without “crossing the line” into Christ.  The Bible also teaches that it is impossible for one to “cross the line” into Christ without “crossing the line” into the church.

The crucial relation of the church to salvation is seen in the statement, “And the Lord added (Greek imperfect “was adding,” TBW) to the church daily such as should be saved” (Acts 2:47, KJV).  The English Revised Version, in an excellent treatment, translates Acts 2:47 in this way: “And the Lord added to them day by day those that were being saved” (Greek present participle).

In short, the Bible teaches that there are no Christians outside of the church for which Jesus died. When one obeys the Gospel, being baptized (as a penitent believer) in the name of Christ (that is, by His authority), the Lord adds him to the church.  He never fails to do this (cf. Acts 2:41, 47; I Corinthians 12:13).

Thomas B. Warren

The Spiritual Sword (April 1985), p. 6

JERUSALEM HYPOCRITES: THOUGHTFUL CONSIDERATIONS

Ananias and Sapphira were active members of the early Jerusalem church (Acts 5). Please notice that I did not say that they were faithful, but that they were active (5:1-2). They were active hypocrites, and God killed them for their hypocrisy (5:5, 10). Yes, “God is love,” but He is also a just God (I John 4:16; Revelation 15:3). I trust that some have not reached such a sinful frame of mind that they would accuse God of not having enough love in His dealing with this sinful pair. All would do well to remember Paul’s comment, “yea, let God be true, but every man a liar” (Romans 3:4). To be a hypocrite is to live a lie. The original word means an actor, i.e., one who acted out a part or pretended to be that which he was not. As hypocrisy relates to religion, Webster defines it as, “a feigning to be what one is not or to believe what one does not” (Webster’s Seventh New Collegiate Dictionary, 1963).Remember how that Ananias and Sapphira sold their land and gave some of what they received to the church for a worthy cause (Acts 4:32-37; 5:2). J. W. McGarvey, in his sermon on “The Jerusalem Church,” had these comments about Ananias and Sapphira’s contribution.

If the disciples at that age had been as demonstrative and irreverent in the Lord’s house as are some of our modern assemblies, I think there would have been general and very hearty clapping of hands at this deed (253).

McGarvey said this in the summer of 1893! It is, however, as fresh and applicable for today as if it had been uttered this morning! Both husband and wife wanted to be seen of men to be praised for their false generosity. This character flaw is typical of all hypocrites (Matthew 23:28).

So it is that our Lord warned: “Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy” (Luke 12:1). Their lie to the God of glory brought about His swift and sure retribution (Acts 5:5, 10). McGarvey again comments:

What awful work this was; and how quickly done! No tears, no prayers, no delay. Nothing but solemnity and awe like that of the judgment day, and whose work was it? Not that of Peter; for he seems not to have known that Ananias was to fall dead;  and although he knew that Sapphira would, he expressed no will of his own in the matter. It was the work of the great Head of the church, who thus exercised discipline in His church, so as to show those to whom it would afterward be entrusted, the promptness with which crying sins must be rebuked if the church would please Him. This is divine intimation on the subject of discipline. Shall we learn the lesson, or shall we continue, as so many churches have long been doing, to keep the ungodly in the church, under the vain delusion that we are exercising forbearance and mercy which heaven will approve, or under the idle impression that we have a better hope of saving a wicked man in the church, than if we cast him out? (254).

I am constantly made to marvel at how some things never change. You may be sure that if Ananias and Sapphira “agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord” before an inspired apostle (Acts 5:9), that in our age of worldly pride and “supposing that gain is godliness” (I Timothy 6:5), the same sinfulness will run rampant in the church. How many churches really want sermons preached that deal with the sins of the brethren? The present “positive preaching” concept would have us angry at God and Peter and cooing like doves over the poor unloved and mistreated Ananias and Sapphira. Beloved brethren, we must open our eyes to the sad state of affairs so many in the church have come to and realize the importance in godly discipline and its place in the saving of souls (I Corinthians 5:4, 5, 10-13; II Thessalonians. 3:6).

David P. Brown

IF…

If you are searching for the TRUTH, please read every word, answer every question, and look up each Scriptural reference, and learn truth that you may obey (Matthew 7:21). Be fair to yourself and search the Scriptures (Acts 17:10-11).

IF all churches are right, why does the Bible make it so plain that there is only one (I Corinthians 12:20; Ephesians 4:4; I Corinthians 12:13; Colossians. 1:18-24; Ephesians 1:22-23; Matthew 16:18)?

IF all ways are acceptable, why did Jesus say that only those who follow the strait and narrow way will receive eternal life (Matthew 7:13-1.4)?

IF Jesus is the head of all churches (plural), why did He say, “I will build my church” (singular) (Matthew 16:18)?

IF Christ wanted different denominations, why did He pray for unity (John 17:21)?

IF we can show you proof that Jesus Christ was the founder of the true and only church, His church, will you accept the Bible and it alone (Matthew 16:13-19; Luke 24:45-47; Ephesians 1:22-23; Acts 2:14-47)?

IF God has promised salvation out of the church, why did Christ die for it (Acts 20:28; Ephesians 5:25-27)?

IF the church has nothing to do with our salvation, why does the Lord add us to the church (Acts 2:47)?

IF one is saved by faith only, why were the devils not saved?  They believed and trembled (James 2:19)?

IF one can be saved without faith, why did Paul say it was impossible to please God without faith (Hebrews 11:6)?

IF one becomes a Christian when he believes, why was not King Agrippa a Christian (Acts 26:27-28)?

IF faith comes in answer to prayer, why are we told that faith comes by hearing the Word of God (Romans 10:17; John 20:30-31)?

IF “faith alone is a most wholesome doctrine and very full of comfort” (as one denomination’s discipline states) why did James say, “Faith without works is dead” (James 2:20)?

IF one can be saved without complete obedience to the Gospel of the Lord, why did Paul say that Christ is to take vengeance on them that obey not the Gospel (II Thessalonians 1:8)?

IF man can be saved by obeying the doctrines and commandments of men, why did Christ say it was vain worship to follow them (Matthew 15:6-9; Mark 7:7)?

IF one can be saved by just believing on the Lord Jesus Christ, why did Jesus say that “Not everyone that saith unto me, Lord, Lord shall enter into the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 7:21)?

IF Christ will save anyone as long as they are sincere and good, why did the Hebrews writer state explicitly that Christ is the Saviour of those who obey Him (Hebrews 5:8-9)?

IF the Lord will save us without baptism, why did He command it (Acts 10:47-48)? 

IF the Lord has promised us salvation without baptism, why did Peter say that baptism saves (I Peter 3:21)?

IF we can receive remission of sins without baptism, why did Simon Peter say baptism is for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38)? 

IF baptism has nothing to do with salvation, why did one of the Lord’s inspired preachers tell a sinner to “arise and be baptized and wash away thy sins” (Acts 22:16)?

IF a man can be saved and not be baptized, why did not Jesus say, “He that believeth and is NOT baptized shall be saved” (Mark16:16)?

IF we can get into Christ without baptism, why did Paul say we are baptized into Christ (Galatians 3:27)?

IF the Lord will save without baptism, why did Paul put “newness of life” after baptism, and not before (Romans 6:4)?

IF sprinkling, pouring and immersion are scriptural baptism, why did Paul say there is one baptism and that it is a burial (Ephesians 4:5; Romans 6:4; Colossians 2:11-12)?

IF we can get into the body of Christ without baptism, why did Paul say we are baptized into the body (I Corinthians 12:13)? Remember the, body and the church are one and the same (Colossians 1:18; Ephesians 1:22-23).

IF baptism is a Christian duty, please name the place in the Bible that gives ONE example where a Christian was ever commanded to be baptized.

IF one is saved before baptism, he is saved before his sins are remitted (Acts 2:38).

IF one is saved before baptism, he is saved before his sins are washed away (Acts 22:16).

IF men have a right to make laws, change them, or delete them, why did Christ say that He had all authority (Matthew 28:18-20)?

IF the Word of God is able to save men, what need have we of anything else (John 8:32; Acts 20:32)?

IF the Word of God is complete and furnishes us unto every good work, how can we make it better by adding to or taking from (Revelation 22:18-19; II Timothy 3:16-17)?

IF preachers have the right to preach their opinion, why then did Paul say to “Preach the word” (II Timothy 4:2)?

IF creeds and manuals are necessary, why are we told to follow and obey the “perfect law of liberty” (James 1:25; Matthew 7:21)?

IF you can be a Christian, worship God acceptably, practice every principle of Christianity, live, die and go to heaven without ever hearing of, belonging to, or in any way supporting a denomination, then why arc not these denominational groups useless and unnecessary (I Corinthians 12:27; Matthew 16:18; Acts 2:47)? 

IF when you search the Bible you fail to find the name of your denominational church in the pages of inspired Scripture, why should you remain in it (I Corinthians 1:10-13)?

IF you think a man has a right to prefix his name with “Reverend,” “Father,” “master,” etc., be sure and read Psalm 111:1-9 and Matthew 23:8-12.

IF instrumental music is to he used in the church services, why was it omitted by Paul as he wrote “In the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee” (Hebrews 2:12)? If the instrument should be used, why did Paul omit it in Colossians 3:16 and Ephesians 5:19?

IF there is nothing in a name, why did Peter say salvation is in the name of Christ (Acts 4:10-12) and why did Paul declare that whatever we do is to be done in the name of Christ (Colossians 3:17)?

IF the Word of God authorizes elders to oversee, (Acts 20:28) and deacons (as servants, workers, I Timothy 3; Titus 1), what Scripture gives the authority for ecclesiastical heads, councils, synods, (as various religious groups are so organized)?

IF a man cannot fall from grace, why did Peter say that one can be “entangled again therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning” (II Peter 2:20-22)?

IF one can be eternally saved without being faithful (once in grace, always in grace), why did the Lord say to be “faithful unto death”(Revelation 2:10)?

IF Hebrews 10:9 teaches that the old law established, why do some today continue to keep the Sabbath Day (Saturday)?

IF the kingdom of God (the church) is yet to be built, why did Paul and John say they were in it (Colossians 1:13-14; Revelation 1:9)? Why did Jesus say that it would come in the lifetime of His apostles (Mark 9:1)?

CONCLUDING THOUGHTS

IF it doesn’t make any difference what a man believes so long as he is sincere, why are we told that we will be damned if we believe not the truth (II Thessalonians 2:12)?

IF God promises to save all, regardless of what they do, why did Paul say, “we persuade men” (II Corinthians 5-11)?

IF there is no punishment for the wicked after death, why did Christ say certain ones would go into everlasting punishment (Matthew 25:46)?

IF you are lost, condemned in judgment, it will not be the fault of either God, Christ or the Holy Spirit. They want you to obey the Gospel, and be saved (II Peter 3:9).

IF you enjoy simple New Testament worship, attend the services at the church of Christ. “Come now, and let us reason together (Isaiah 1:18). “Come thou with us, and we will do thee good” (Numbers 10:29).

Author Unknown

 

3,000 BAPTIZED!! WHY WAS IT NEVER MENTIONED AGAIN?


“...the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls” (Acts 2:42)

We all know the church has entered the age of promotionalism – the age of drum-beating. We constantly hear of THE BEST, THE MOST, THE BIGGEST, THE GREATEST: any triumph in one congregation gets the publicity experts at work to try and top that in some other congregation. The trumpets sound when some activity is successful.

We’ve said that to call attention to the fact that this very atmosphere is foreign to the New Testament. In the text cited above, we find that about 3,000 were baptized on the day of Pentecost. The interesting thing about this is: it never was mentioned again in God’s Word! Never once! We wonder why! We have the rest of Acts, twenty one other letters, and we have seven different congregations addressed in the book of Revelation, and never once did any of the inspired writers ask, “Why can’t 3,000 more be baptized like they had on Pentecost?” It wasn’t that many years and many congregations were yet covered in the New Testament, for the events of Acts 2 take place in the very FIRST congregation. It wasn’t that no apostle knew of the events of that day, for twelve apostles were there at the time. It wasn’t that the apostles didn’t want the church to grow. It wasn’t that they weren’t interested in baptisms, for the Great Commission put them into that business (Mark 16:15-16).

Again we wonder: why wasn’t the success in Acts 2 mentioned in each and every epistle? Why didn’t the inspired writers take advantage of this whooping it up before all other congregations? Now, notice that this fits in with the low-profile given to programs and successes in the entire New Testament. While every letter deals with the importance of study, growth, increasing in godly attributes, and the need for improvement in every spiritual area, very little in the way of publicity is given to actual circumstances of sums and numbers, and certainly not in any way to “beat the drums” before the brotherhood. We do not believe the early church wanted second-rate performance, but we note they also didn’t whoop and yell about BIGGEST, GREATEST, LARGEST, TREMENDOUS...they didn’t even mention that they had 3,000 to be baptized on Pentecost! We can learn something from this in the age of the promotional, sensational, and publicity!

Bill Jackson

1929-1991