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The Church of Christ Lesson 1

M.B. Walker

2022-08-01

     Matthew 16:18, "I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My Church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it."

     In Matthew 16:18, Jesus Christ is promising to Peter, an apostle, that He would build His Church. The Church He promised to build would not be overpowered by Hades (Hell), meaning this would be the greatest institution established.

     These Church of Christ pamphlets focus on the reasons the Church is the greatest institution, its scriptural backing, how to become a member of the Church, and how the Church worships God compared to religions that change with society.

1.) Everyone has the ability to become a member of the Church of Christ.

     The Church of Christ is not limited by geographical location, financial standing, gender, ethnicity, or race. Instead, those who follow the Divine Plan of Salvation--the Gospel (Romans 10:17; Hebrews 11:6; Luke 13:3; Acts 8:36-37; Mark 16:16)--will be saved if they continue to live faithfully (2 Peter 2:20-22). We know the Church of Christ is not restricted to these characteristics because of these Old Testament prophecies foretelling its acceptance. In Isaiah 2: 2-3, "...And all the nations will stream to it," and in Daniel 2:35, the church "... filled the entire earth." By these two prophecies, we see that the Church of Christ would be universal. Therefore, the Church of Christ welcomes all who obey the Gospel, regardless of any earthly restrictions.

2.) The Church of Christ is a divine institution.

     The Church of Christ is divine, meaning it was not established by men, but by God. It has a divine origin (beginning). Ephesians 3:10-11 states, "So that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known through the church to the rulers and the authorities in the heavenly places. This was in accordance with the eternal purpose which He carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord." The plans for the Church of Christ were of eternal origin (existing forever), composed in the mind of God, and carried out by His Son Jesus (the Messiah). Denominations are religious groups of people who follow a particular set of beliefs that are set apart from other religious groups that represent a departure from the Church of Christ. Unlike the Church, these were created to please people instead of pleasing/obeying God.

     Secondly, the Church is divine because it has a divine builder (See the introduction), Jesus Christ. The establishment of the Church is recorded in Acts 2. Denominations, however, do not have this divine origin, proving they are the product of man, not of God. They often proudly exalt the name of their founder, not Christ. Thirdly, the Church has a divine head (leader). Ephesians 5:23, "... Christ also is the head of the Church, He Himself being the Savior of the body." Likewise, in Ephesians 1:22-23, "And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head of over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all." These verses show that Christ is the divine ruler and lawmaker, not man. Denominations are governed by boards of directors, committees, confessions of faith, creeds, or majority rule. The Church is only subject to Christ because He is the universal ruler who governs by His word (the Bible). Fourthly, the Church has a divine mission. This divine mission separates the Church from denominations because it does not operate for entertainment, profit, domestic relations, or society. It is not a social entity that continually modernizes to "survive." With most religions, these qualities might be crucial. However, true Christianity will continue to flourish without the aid of these innovations. The Church will continue its mission of evangelism (spreading the Gospel), ministry (preaching), and benevolence (helping needy Christians).

3.) The Church of Christ is glorious Church.

     Ephesians 5:27 states, "That He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy and blameless." The word "glorious" according to blueletterbible.org means to be held in a good or in great esteem, of high repute, to be honorable. The word glorious adequately describes the Church of Christ, not a man-made institution or denomination. That is why the Lord is concerned for Her well-being and wants Her name to be protected, requesting Christians to live a blameless and righteous life to keep Her influence in the ever-changing world.

     Psalms 48:12 states, "Walk about Zion and go around her; Count her towers." To stroll spiritual Zion is the most beautiful walk a person will take. This path shows the simplicity of the Church's teachings and reveals the power of the glorious message of salvation (the gospel). Romans 6:23 states, "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." This means that since humans are sinful, without salvation, we would perish. The price for salvation and the Church is provided only by the shedding of the blood of Christ.

4.) The Church of Christ is a saving institution.

     The divine plan of salvation is why Christ died, was buried, and was raised from the dead. Matthew 1:21 states, "She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins." The name Jesus is derived from the Hebrew name "Yeshua." This is translated into English as Joshua, which means "God is deliverance, to deliver, or to rescue." Jesus came to seek and save the lost; however, he knew that he would soon return to the Father. He prepared the apostles for converting the world. This work was to be accomplished in the Church. In 1 Timothy 3:15, Apostle Paul states, "But in case I am delayed, I write so that you will know how one ought to conduct himself in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and support of the truth." Therefore, the Church must uphold the truth and share it with the lost. Those who obey the truth, (the gospel), are then added to the Church--Acts 2:47. The Church of Christ does not say that the Church saves by itself, but Christ does the saving, which is done in the Church. Ephesians 5:23 "... Christ is the head of the Church, He Himself being the Savior of the body." If a person is saved, they must be in the body because salvation is in Christ. To be in Christ is to be in His Church.

5.) The Church of Christ will last forever.

     Countries rise and fall, and everything we encounter is momentary and dying. But the Church will stand forever. (See introduction)--Matthew 16:18. In Hebrews 12:28 the Apostle Paul states, "Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe." The kingdom (the Church) will never be moved, but it will remain firm. Daniel 2:44 states, "In the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which will never be destroyed, and that kingdom will not be left for another people; it will crush and put an end to all these kingdoms, but it will itself endure forever." The kingdom (the Church) will last forever and will withstand all earthly kingdoms. Diligently seek it today because you will not find the promises offered in Christ anywhere else.

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