How to Become a Member of the Lord's Church
In one of the unsung chapters of the Bible, Romans 16, are these words, "Salute one another with an holy kiss. The churches of Christ salute you" (Rm. 16:16). When writing on the duty of "overseers," Luke wrote, "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). As the Hebrews writer spoke to the living saints about their deceased brethren, he said, "To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect" (Heb. 12:23). On the day of Pentecost, when Peter preached his first gospel sermon we read of some three thousand souls repenting of their sins and being baptized for the forgiveness of those sins. At the end of this same chapter are these words, "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).
"Churches of Christ," "church of God," "church of the firstborn," and "the church" are all references to the same thing--the church of the Lord. By way of this essay, we only want to make three observations. First, observe why one should want to be a member of the church of the Lord. Second, observe how one becomes a member of the church of the Lord. Third, observe three salvation questions.
I want to be a member of the church of the Lord because . . .
"To be a member of the Lord's church is to have access to all "spiritual blessings." "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ" (Eph. 1:3). The expression "heavenly places" in this context is a reference to the church, which is located "in Christ." What are some of those blessings?
Acceptance is a blessing that comes to those in His church. "To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved" (Eph. 1:6). The Lord never accepts anyone on their own terms, but the Lord's.
"Churches of Christ," "church of God," "church of the firstborn," and "the church" are all references to the same thing--the church of the Lord. By way of this essay, we only want to make three observations. First, observe why one should want to be a member of the church of the Lord. Second, observe how one becomes a member of the church of the Lord. Third, observe three salvation questions.
I want to be a member of the church of the Lord because . . .
"To be a member of the Lord's church is to have access to all "spiritual blessings." "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ" (Eph. 1:3). The expression "heavenly places" in this context is a reference to the church, which is located "in Christ." What are some of those blessings?
Acceptance is a blessing that comes to those in His church. "To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved" (Eph. 1:6). The Lord never accepts anyone on their own terms, but the Lord's.
Redemption and forgiveness are blessings that come to those in His church. "In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace" (Eph. 1:7). Redeem means to be bought back. Sin is a costly thing in deed. It costs us more than we could ever pay. So, for that debt to be forgiven, it took something more valuable than money. It cost Jesus his life's blood. "For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins" (Mt. 26:28).
An eternal inheritance is a blessing that comes to those in His church. "In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will" (Eph. 1:11). Paul, through the eyes of faith, was looking at that inheritance when he wrote down these words, “Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing” (2 Tm. 4:8). The seal of the Holy Spirit is a blessing that comes to those in His church. "In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise" (Eph. 1:13). A seal is something that is true and binding. So, when one is a member of the church of the Lord, God has put his seal on that person showing His approval. Now, how does one become a member of the Lord's church, thereby receiving His approval?
An eternal inheritance is a blessing that comes to those in His church. "In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will" (Eph. 1:11). Paul, through the eyes of faith, was looking at that inheritance when he wrote down these words, “Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing” (2 Tm. 4:8). The seal of the Holy Spirit is a blessing that comes to those in His church. "In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise" (Eph. 1:13). A seal is something that is true and binding. So, when one is a member of the church of the Lord, God has put his seal on that person showing His approval. Now, how does one become a member of the Lord's church, thereby receiving His approval?
I become a member of the church of the Lord by . . .
Doing it the Lord's way. So many try to invent ways for man to gain membership into the church of the Lord. Some man-made churches will vote on an individual, and if he or she receives enough votes they become members.
Many denominations who teach salvation via the "sinner's prayer" are then to be baptized to join that particular denomination. While others say, "just join the church of your choice."
"Never in the Bible do we read about people being voted into the church of the Lord, nor do we read about their joining the church of the Lord. What we do read is this, "And the Lord added to them [the church KJV] day by day those that were saved" (Acts 2:47 ASV). Those who are truly saved are added to the church, because the saved are the church. So, the answer to the questions "How do I become a member of the Lord's church," and "What must I do to be saved," will be the same.
Doing it the Lord's way. So many try to invent ways for man to gain membership into the church of the Lord. Some man-made churches will vote on an individual, and if he or she receives enough votes they become members.
Many denominations who teach salvation via the "sinner's prayer" are then to be baptized to join that particular denomination. While others say, "just join the church of your choice."
"Never in the Bible do we read about people being voted into the church of the Lord, nor do we read about their joining the church of the Lord. What we do read is this, "And the Lord added to them [the church KJV] day by day those that were saved" (Acts 2:47 ASV). Those who are truly saved are added to the church, because the saved are the church. So, the answer to the questions "How do I become a member of the Lord's church," and "What must I do to be saved," will be the same.
We want to conclude this essay with three salvation questions:
Will there be few saved? Luke wrote, "Then said one unto him Lord, are there few that be saved?" (Lk. 13:23). Throughout history, God's people have always been in the minority. For instance, when God destroyed the world with a flood, only eight souls were saved--Noah, his wife, their three sons, and their wives. When God destroyed the city of Sodom, only three souls were saved--Lot, and his two daughters. In answer to the question, the Bible teaches that on the Judgment day, few will be saved. Jesus said, "Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it" (Mt. 7:13-14).
Who then will be saved? The universalist would answer the question, "Everyone will be saved." The moralist would answer the question, "All moral people will be saved." The denominationalist would answer the question, "All 'faith only' people will be saved." Our concern should be, who does God say will be saved? Jesus said, "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven" (Mt. 7:21). In answer to the question, the only people who will be saved are those who obey God's word.
What must I do to be saved? This is clearly the most important question that a man could ever ask. This question was asked three times in the book of Acts. The jailer asked it, and received the answer "believe" (Acts 16:30-34). The people on the day of Pentecost asked it and received the answer "repent and be baptized" (Acts 2:37-41). Saul of Tarsus asked it, and received the answer "be baptized" (Acts 9:1-22; 22:1-16; 26:1-21). Who could question that these, having done what they were told, were saved? I dare say that no one could. In answer to the question, "What must I do to be saved?" I must do the same as those in the book of Acts in order to be saved. I must believe in Jesus as God's Son, just as these did. I must repent of my sins, just as these did. I must be baptized for the forgiveness of my sins, just as these did. When I do this, then I know that I am saved because I have done what they did to be saved. Then the added benefit is knowing that upon my salvation, the Lord adds me to His church (Acts 2:47).
Will there be few saved? Luke wrote, "Then said one unto him Lord, are there few that be saved?" (Lk. 13:23). Throughout history, God's people have always been in the minority. For instance, when God destroyed the world with a flood, only eight souls were saved--Noah, his wife, their three sons, and their wives. When God destroyed the city of Sodom, only three souls were saved--Lot, and his two daughters. In answer to the question, the Bible teaches that on the Judgment day, few will be saved. Jesus said, "Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it" (Mt. 7:13-14).
Who then will be saved? The universalist would answer the question, "Everyone will be saved." The moralist would answer the question, "All moral people will be saved." The denominationalist would answer the question, "All 'faith only' people will be saved." Our concern should be, who does God say will be saved? Jesus said, "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven" (Mt. 7:21). In answer to the question, the only people who will be saved are those who obey God's word.
What must I do to be saved? This is clearly the most important question that a man could ever ask. This question was asked three times in the book of Acts. The jailer asked it, and received the answer "believe" (Acts 16:30-34). The people on the day of Pentecost asked it and received the answer "repent and be baptized" (Acts 2:37-41). Saul of Tarsus asked it, and received the answer "be baptized" (Acts 9:1-22; 22:1-16; 26:1-21). Who could question that these, having done what they were told, were saved? I dare say that no one could. In answer to the question, "What must I do to be saved?" I must do the same as those in the book of Acts in order to be saved. I must believe in Jesus as God's Son, just as these did. I must repent of my sins, just as these did. I must be baptized for the forgiveness of my sins, just as these did. When I do this, then I know that I am saved because I have done what they did to be saved. Then the added benefit is knowing that upon my salvation, the Lord adds me to His church (Acts 2:47).
posted by Neil Richey @ 7:58 AM
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