The Necessity Of Membership In The True Church Of Christ
THE EXPONENTS OF the faith-alone concept of salvation make implicit or explicit statements to the effect that church membership is not necessary for the attainment of salvation. Professing belief in Jesus and in His being Lord and Savior are to them sufficient conditions for one to be saved on Judgment Day. They refuse to recognize the relevance of the church and church membership to salvation.
Does this widespread concept have basis in the Bible? Does not the Bible show the role of the Church in salvation? In order that we will not be deceived by any popular and appealing man-made doctrine, let us be enlightened by the words of God written in the Holy Bible.
God’s Righteousness For Man’s Salvation What is God’s righteousness, which is why the Church of Christ is necessary for man’s salvation? In Deuteronomy 24:16, God’s law regarding the sinners is recorded:
“Fathers shall not be put to death for their sons, nor shall sons be put to death for their fathers; everyone shall be put to death for his own sin.”
(Reference: New American Standard Bible, Emphasis Mine)
God’s righteousness regarding sin is manifested in this law: “everyone shall be put to death for his own sin.” How does God confirm His law on sinners? In Ezekiel 18:4, God declares:
“…the soul of the son is Mine. The soul who sins will die.”
(Reference: New American Standard Bible, Emphasis Mine)
God affirms that the soul who sins will die. Being the Judge, God the Almighty further clarifies the law on sinners:
“That be far from thee to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked: and that the righteous should be as the wicked, that be far from thee: Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?”
(Reference: Gen. 18:25, King James Version, Emphasis Mine)
God’s divine justice requires that the righteous should not die like the wicked.
Christ our Lord is the sole person who did not sin, neither was guile found in His lips as we are told:
“For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth.”
(Reference: I Pt. 2:21-22, KJV, Emphasis Mine)
Except for Christ, all men have sinned.
So each man must answer for his own sins, but doing so does not assure him of salvation. Neither could Christ who did not sin, be accountable for the sins committed by men without violating the law of God, that whoever sins shall die or be put to death; “everyone shall be put to death for his own sin.” So one may ask. how is it then possible that Christ being a man answer for the sins of another if God law states that each shall shall be put to death for his own sin? This is why, in order that man the sinner will be saved in accordance with God’s law, the Church of Christ is necessary so as not to violate God’s law which is why Christ suffered for us.
THE CHURCH IN THE SCHEME OF SALVATION
Now, how does the Church of Christ figure in the scheme of salvation so that man will not be accountable for his sins? Apostle Paul clarifies this in II Corinthians 5:21:
“For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.”
(Reference: KJV, Emphasis Mine)
Paul the Apostle was addressing his epistle to the Church of Christ members in Corinth. Why was He (Christ) made to be sinned on our behalf? So that “we might be made the righteousness of God in him (Christ).” “We” and “our behalf” specifically refer to the Church of Christ members, such as Paul and those whom he addressed in his letter to the first-century church. “In him [Christ]“ Paul declares, we have become the righteousness of God. God’s righteousness, then, for the salvation of man is the Church of Christ.
GOD'S PLAN FOR MAN
Inasmuch as man cannot rightfully worship or deify God if he is separate from Christ, God has designed a plan for man whom He created. To whom did God destine all men? In Ephesians 2:10, this is written:
“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.”
(Reference: KJV Emphasis Mine)
God destined all men to be created in Christ Jesus. How can this be fulfilled? In Ephesians 2:15, this is recorded:
“having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace.”
(Reference: NKJV, Emphasis Mine)
The fulfillment of our being created in Christ Jesus is through the creation of the one new man. Our coming to this earth through the conjugal relation of our parents is not sufficient. To attain salvation, man must be created in Christ Jesus through the one new man.
What is the first requirement before Christ and men can be created as one new man? In Ephesians 2:16, this is documented:
“And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby.”
(Reference: KJV, Emphasis Mine)
Before Christ and men can be created as one new man the first requirement that must be fulfilled is for both (Christ and men) to be reconciled in one body.
AGREEMENT IN THE ONE NEW MAN
What is the agreement between Christ and men in the one new man? Colossians 1:18 explains:
“And He is the head of the body, the church, …”
(Reference: NJKV, Emphasis Mine)
The agreement between Christ and men in the one new man is that Christ shall be the Head and the Church His Body. What must man be in the one Body? Apostle Paul states that man must be a member in particular in the one body or in the one true Church:
“Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually.”
(Reference: I Cor. 12:27 NKJV, Emphasis Mine)
When one becomes a member of the body (church), Christ as the Head, will answer for the sins of His body. By this, Christ as the one new man from the two, Christ as Head and the Church His body, man is reconciled to God in the one body or church when one becomes a member of the Church of Christ. In this way, Christ does not violate God’s law that “every man shall be put to death for his own sin;” thus, when one becomes a member of the Church Of Christ, one essentially becomes a “part” or “one with Christ’s body.” Therefore, to keep God’s law, Christ will only save his own body and those who are “members individually” of the one body or church will be saved because it is the church that Christ as the head will save — His body. Hence just as Christ is important in the life of man, therefore, His body, the Church, is as valuable. To reject the Church, which is Christ’s body, is tantamount to rejecting the way by which man can attain peace with God and salvation.
VALUE OF THE ONE NEW MAN
How do the Scriptures portray the immense value of the one new man? What was the result of the creation of the one new man? Paul says Paul says “so making peace.” Which is this peace referred to by Paul? In Romans 5:1, we find this clarification:
Therefore, since we have been justified [that is, acquitted of sin, declared blameless before God] by faith, [let us grasp the fact that] we have peace with God [and the joy of reconciliation with Him] through our Lord Jesus Christ [the Messiah, the Anointed].”
(Reference: Amplified Bible, Emphasis Mine)
What is the significance of this peace with God? In Romans 8:1, Paul declares:
“There is therefore now no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus.”
(Reference: ASV, Emphasis Mine)
Peace with God is the absence of condemnation. Which is this condemnation? Judgment for man’s sins on the second coming of our Lord Jesus. But for whom is this peace exclusively reserved? For those who are in Christ Jesus.
Why is there no more condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus? Apostle Paul, in Galatians 2:20, provides us with the answer:
“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.”
(Reference: KJV, Emphasis Mine)
Christ was crucified in order to bear the sins of those who are in Him. He gave Himself for them. How were they crucified with Christ so that Christ could answer for their sins? Romans 6:3-4, this is documented:
“Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.”
(Reference: KJV, Emphasis Mine)
The linkage between Christ and the members of His Body was established when they were buried with Him by baptism into death. With this baptism into death, they have been saved from condemnation. It is for them that Christ died. Thus, God now requires them to walk in newness of life.
Apostle Paul was justified, therefore, in showing the exclusivity of the members of the Church of Christ or those in Christ when he affirmed:
“There is therefore now no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus.”
(Reference: Rom. 8:1 ASV, Emphasis Mine)
The implication of this statement is of great importance: All who are not in Christ shall suffer condemnation on Judgment Day.
MISFORTUNE FOR "OUTSIDERS"
How about those outside the church or even among those who were once in the Church of Christ but were separated? Will they still be free from God’s condemnation or judgment? The Bible teaches in I Corinthians 5:13:
“But those who are outside, God judges. …”
(Reference: NASB, Emphasis Mine)
For those outside the Church of Christ, God will surely judge, especially those who have retreated or turned cold in faith are doomed to the judgment of God. God’s judgment hangs over them since they are not in Christ anymore.
How did our Lord Jesus Christ describe the tragic consequence of those separated from Him? In John 15:6, this is written:
“If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned.”
(Reference: Jn. 15:6 ESV, Emphasis Mine)
If Christ’s branch or a member of the Church does not abide or remain in Christ, then he will be cast into the fire and burned. Should any man dare to be by himself and ignore the Vine which is Jesus Christ? Our Lord answers:
“Remain in Me, and I in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit of itself but must remain in the vine, so neither can you unless you remain in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches; the one who remains in Me, and I in him bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.”
(Reference: Jn. 15:4-5 NASB, Emphasis Mine)
Just like a branch unable to bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, a man also cannot bear fruit by himself unless he is united in Christ or inside the Church. “Apart from Me,” declares Christ, “you can do nothing.” What is that which we cannot do by ourselves? It is to save ourselves from Judgment Day without abiding or remaining in Christ.
Even now that man who is separate from Christ awaits the coming Judgment Day, will man be given the right to hope for salvation and worship God if he is apart from Christ or outside the body or church of which Christ is the Head? Absolutely not, as we are instructed in Ephesians 2:12:
“At that time you were apart from Christ. You were foreigners and did not belong to God’s chosen people. You had no part in the covenants, which were based on God’s promises to his people, and you lived in this world without hope and without God.”
(Reference: GNT, Emphasis Mine)
Those who are apart or separated from Christ or His Church have no hope for salvation. Worse, they are without God in this world. They have no right to worship or exalt God.
CHRIST'S COMMAND
What is the command of Christ for man’s salvation, which faith-alone advocates interpret as meaning that the Church is irrelevant? In John 10:9, Christ commands:
“I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.”
(Reference: KJV, Emphasis Mine)
Christ commands man to enter in by Him. But, detractors of the Church of Christ refuse to believe that to enter Christ is to be a member of the Church which is His body. Why don’t they explain how to enter in by Christ?
What is the biblical proof that to enter in by Christ is through membership in the Church of Christ? In Acts 2:47, this is recorded:
“Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.”
(Reference: KJV, Emphasis Mine)
It is clear that the Lord God added to the Church daily such as should be saved.
The purpose of God for man, in order to be saved on Judgment Day, is for man to be created in Christ, for which reason he is called in the “one body” to attain peace. Its fulfillment is that man become a member of the one body or Church of Christ:
“Let the peace of Christ, to which you were indeed called in one body, …”
(Reference: Colossians 3:15 NASB, Emphasis Mine)
Thus, the true followers of Christ are “called” into the “one body” or “church.” To gain a clearer view of Christ’s command to those who desire to be saved, let us cite once again the book of John, but this time from the Revised English Bible to further validate Christ’s command:
“So Jesus spoke again: ‘In very truth I tell you, I am the door of the sheepfold.’ … I am the door; anyone who comes into the fold through me will be safe.”
(Reference: John 10:7, 9 Revised English Bible, Emphasis Mine)
The fold or flock is none other than the Church of Christ:
“Take heed therefore to yourselves and to all the flock, over which the Holy Spirit has appointed you overseers, to feed the church of Christ which he has purchased with his blood.”
(Reference: Acts 20:28 Lamsa Translation, Emphasis Mine)
Mere acceptance of our Lord Jesus as personal Savior is not enough. Man should accept Christ plus His only true Church, the — “Church of Christ.” Man must embrace the Church of Christ and be a member of it if he wishes to be saved on Judgment Day because it is the church that Christ purchased with his blood and gave his life for it (Eph. 5:25 Good News Translation).
IN CONCLUSION
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WE KINDLY EXTEND our visitors an invitation to explore the pristine, unadulterated teachings of the Iglesia Ni Cristo (Church Of Christ) as they were taught by Christ and His apostles in the first-century Church Of Christ. These teachings presented here are the path that leads to eternal life for all on that appointed day of Judgment:
The Truth About Salvation
CHRISTIANITY IS A RELIGION with over 2.4 billion followers worldwide. It is composed of diverse faiths with thousands of denominations, such as Pentecostal, Presbyterian, Lutheran, Baptist, Methodist, Adventist—the list goes on. The Center for the Study of Global Christianity estimates that there are over 45,000 denominations globally, with more than 200 in the United States alone. Each denomination has its own unique set of beliefs and doctrines, especially when it comes to how one can achieve salvation. Do any of these religions truly teach the proper way of salvation?
Fundamental Beliefs of The "Iglesia Ni Cristo" (Church Of Christ)
WITH THE AIM of aiding others in achieving a more comprehensive understanding of the Iglesia Ni Cristo, a series of readings has been developed. These readings encompass a range of significant topics, from the nature and work of Christ to apostasy. We encourage all those who are curious or in search of truth to engage with these articles. They are designed to encapsulate the comprehensive doctrines and beliefs of the Iglesia Ni Cristo…
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(Eph. 4:29, Amplified Bible)
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(1 Corinthians 13:4-5, Amplified Bible)