Christ Leads The Way

“There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope at your calling” – Ephesians 4:4

First things first: thank you for your continued support. It means more than words can express. As always: I appreciate you!

I enjoy talking with you  about spiritual things. As we discuss being restored to New Testament Christianity, let’s talk about what the Christians of the New Testament were. Yes, they were disciples of Christ, but they also made up the church.

Remember in Acts 2 we saw how they were “praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved” (Acts 2:47). The Lord added those who were being saved to His church. So that means people who are saved are members of His church because God adds them to it. And people who are not saved are not added to His church.

If you’re not saved, then you’re not in His church.

Notice that the church belongs to Jesus – not Martin Luther, not John Wesley, not John Calvin, and not anybody’s “pastor.” And it’s God who does the adding; nobody has to be voted in by the collective majority of a group. If you are a member of a congregation where that happens, then that’s not the Lord’s church.

Christ purchased the church with His own blood (Acts 20:28). He has all authority over it. And He has the say over who is added to His church or not.

” And He put everything under His feet and appointed Him as head over everything for the church, which is His body, the fullness of the One who fills all things in every way.” – Ephesians 1:22-23

Consider that the church is the body of Christ (Eph. 1:22-23) and that there is one body (Eph. 4:4). If there is one body and the church is His body, then it logically follows that there is only one church.

Peter didn’t shed his blood for the church; a pope didn’t purchase the church with his own blood, and; nor did John Calvin. Friends, we should strive to all be members of that one church that Jesus died for.

“He did this to present the church to Himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or anything like that, but holy and blameless.” – Eph. 5:27

It’s not about a building with a name on the outside sign. It’s about a group of people who follow the commands as the Lord has laid out in His word as best as they can. It’s about how the group is organized and how it worships. If we want to be a part of that one body (which is His church), then we have to be and do what the church of the New Testament did.

Friends, denominations and non-denominational churches were non-existent in the New Testament. There was only one church, and there still is only one. God is not coming back for Joseph Smith’s church or the church made or started by some man. He’s coming back for the church for which He shed His blood.

Are you a member of the church that Jesus died for? Have you been added to the church by the Lord like the New Testament Christians in Acts 2? Have you believed in the Lord Jesus, confessed His sweet name, repented, and been baptized for the forgiveness of your sins? If not, that’s all you need to do in order to be added to His church, and then live a faithful life in service to God.

Let’s be members of the one church that belongs to Jesus. Let’s be New Testament Christians.

I can’t wait to talk with you and more again.

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