In recent years many blunders have been made in the realm of religion. People have accepted without investigation certain teachings, only to find later that these teachings were contrary to the Scriptures. Gullibly accepting all that comes along in religion results in drastic consequences, and is contrary to the Bible (1 John 4:1; Acts 17:11-12). Trafficking in uninvestigated areas of Christianity is a dangerous channel through which it comes. What we receive in the "name of Christ" could very well be the teaching of Satan in disguise. Before accepting any form of religious teachings, assurance that it is of God should be evident. Then and only then should one yield oneself to it. Teaching received will either be for our spiritual advancement, or for our spiritual deterioration.

Look Before You Leap

There is an anti-Christian spirit working in this present age, inspired by the forces of error. False prophets "are gone out into the world" (1 Jno. 4:1-3). There is a great conflict pictured in many different ways throughout the Bible, i.e., Christ and the tempter, Christ and the world, error and truth, the church and the world, etc. In this conflict between truth and error, one could easily lose himself in the skirmishes. However, we dare not face eternity without assurances that truth is being embraced. Carelessness in this respect could result in the everlasting destruction of one's soul.

Remember the story of the vacuum cleaner salesman? He entered into a home and scattered feathers over the rug. To further demonstrate his product and its efficiency, he threw ashes on the floor and placed sawdust on the couch. After littering the room, he turned to the lady of the house, and said, "Now, madam, I'll show you how the Busy Bee Electric Vacuum cleans in a jiffy. Where is your nearest electricl outlet?" To the amazement of the salesmen, the housewife replied, "We are not wired for electricity." What a blunder. In religion, people make similar blunders every day. People "join" churches without looking into their origin, their doctrine, or their organization. Under such conditions one could easily be led astray. Our Lord gave the solemn warning, "Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing (Matt. 7:15). No question in religion should be too small for our careful scrutiny.

Churches of Christ espouse a plea for a complete restoration of New Testament Christianity. Many have come to see that Christianity must be undenominational, that division must be rejected and that man-made creeds and human teachings must be spurned disdainfully and completely. The New Testament should be our only guide and rule of faith, with Christ Jesus as our only creed. God's people should be known only as "Christians." They should not wear human names. Because people do not understand its plea and are in ,darkness as to its nature, they miss its greatness and are not interested in becoming members of it. To them, the greatness of the Lord's church is lost in the maze of confusion produced by opinions and creeds of men.

Why You Should Investigate The Church Of Christ

You should investigate the church of Christ because it, and it alone, is the body Purchased By The Blood Of Jesus Christ (Acts 20:28). Jesus gave Himself for it, and the very nature of this price places a solemn obligation upon. all who are members of this blood-bought institution. This challenges the best that is in its members, and at the same time, it offers a challenge to those who are not a part of this body for which Jesus died. He purchased only one church with His blood. Are you a member of it? If not, you should be.

You should investigate the church of Christ because it is the only institution built by Jesus (Matt. 16:16-18). Since Jesus is its founder and builder, He offers blessings eternal in nature. This man cannot do, for his institutions are limited to his feeble ability to extend benefits. Salvation is offered only in the church built by Jesus (Acts 2:47). All other churches will be uprooted (Matt. 15:13).

You should investigate the church of Christ because it is the House Of God (1 Tim. 3:15). The church is God's family and those in it are His children (1 Jno. 3:1-2). If one fails to become a member of it, he fails to become a member of the greatest institution on earth. This is also a failure to become a child of God. If you are not a member of the Lord's church, you deprive yourself of all the blessings that the Father in heaven offers to His children. You are not a member of God's family, if you are not a part of that which is the family of God.

You should investigate the church of Christ because it is The Habitation Of God (Eph. 2:19-22). God dwells in the church and through it He carries out His will in saving men on earth. God's habitation is pure, and those who are translated out of darkness into the kingdom of God should remain unspotted from the world (Col. 1:13). Being a member of the church means that you are a part of a spiritual house (1 Pet. 2:5), that offers up "spiritual sacrifices" unto God. Through this institution there is hope in this world and the world to come.

Conclusion

Dear reader, if you have never become a part of the church for which Jesus died, do so today! You cannot join it, but God will add you to it, if you will obey His commands. God adds to the church (Acts 2:47; 1 Cor. 12:18), but He adds only the saved to it. Who are the saved? Notice Acts 2:38: "Repent and be baptized everyone of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit!" Yes, if you believe that Jesus is the Christ, you can be baptized into Christ and into the body which is the church (Col. 1:24; Gal. 3:26-27; 1 Cor. 12:13). If you are a member of the Lord's church, but have been out of duty, restore yourself to your first love before it is too late.

Truth Magazine XXIII: 13, p. 210
March 29, 1979