by John Isaac Edwards
Synopsis: Many emphasize the value of church membership and attendance, yet argue that such is not essential. Is one church as good as another? Does membership matter?
A denominational contradiction is made when churches are recommended, but it is implied that none is really essential. Some say it is good to be in church, but you really do not have to. The appeal is: Join the church of your choice! This suggests that it really does not matter which church; no particular one is essential; one church is as good as another. They are in essence saying one can be saved without being a member of the Lord’s church. What is wrong with this approach?
The Bible teaches, “There is one body” (Eph. 4:4). The one body is identified as the church (Col. 1:18, 24; Eph. 1:22-23). God planned one church (Eph. 3:10-11). The prophets predicted one (Isa. 2:2-3). Christ built one (Matt. 16:18). Christ loved and gave Himself for one (Eph. 5:25). Christ purchased one (Acts 20:28). Christ is head of one (Col. 1:18). Christ is the Savior of one (Eph. 5:23). The saved are added to one (Acts 2:47). We are called in one (Col. 3:24). We are reconciled unto God in one (Eph. 2:16). One will be delivered up to God (1 Cor. 15:22). No other religious body is as good as this one! Jesus declared, “Every plant which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up” (Matt. 15:13).
The church is the fullness of Christ (Eph. 1:22-23). Thus, whatever is available in Christ is not found outside the church of Christ. Things found in Christ include: redemption (Rom. 3:24), sanctification (1 Cor. 1:2), hope (1 Cor. 15:19), a new creature (2 Cor. 5:17), liberty (Gal. 2:4), all spiritual blessings (Eph. 1:3), an inheritance (Eph. 1:11), the promise of life (2 Tim. 1:1), and salvation (2 Tim. 2:10).
Christ and the church are joined together as husband and wife (Eph. 5:22-33), head and body (Eph. 1:22-23), house and foundation (1 Tim. 3:15; 1 Cor. 3:11). The fact that the saved are added to the church (Acts 2:47) and Christ is the Savior of the body (Eph. 5:23) makes the church non-negotiable! If the church is non-essential, then Christ is unessential. If Christ is unessential, then the things found in Christ are needless! We are begotten in Christ through the gospel (1 Cor. 4:15). Thus, the gospel of Christ is made dispensable and expendable by this denominational contradiction! Yet, the Scriptures affirm the gospel of Christ is the power of God unto salvation (Rom. 1:16)!
It is written, we must be “…baptized into Jesus Christ…” (Rom. 6:3), “…baptized into Christ…” (Gal. 3:27), and “…baptized into one body…” (1 Cor. 12:13). The act that puts one into Christ and the church saves (Mark 16:16; 1 Pet. 3:21), is for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38) and washes away sins (Acts 22:16). Thus, folks in the first century were commanded to be baptized in the name of the Lord (Acts 10:48). If Christ and the church are unneeded, then baptism is unnecessary! However, if Christ and the church are necessary, then baptism is essential. They all stand together!
“There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all” (Eph. 4:4-6). Our plea is for you to reject the cry of denominationalism and answer the call of the gospel. Surrender to the authority of the One Lord, be obedient to the one faith, revealed by the one Spirit, in submitting to the one baptism so as to be reconciled unto the One God in the one body and thereby be a partaker of the one hope.
Author Bio: John has worked with the church of Christ at Terre Haute (IN) for seven years. He and his wife, Aleisha, have three children. The church website is churchofchristatterrehaute.com. He can be reached at 1977jie@gmail.com.
