The Importance of the Name Of The Church and the Salvation of its Name
CHRISTIANITY ENCOMPASSES a wide array of denominations representing diverse faiths, each church or organization having a distinct name. Some well-known churches include but not limited to, Pentecostal, Anglican, Presbyterian, Episcopal, Lutheran, Baptist, Methodist, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Mormons, and many other names created by its founders. Many Protestants claim that the name of the church is not of great importance; what is important is one’s relationship with Christ. But how true is this claim?
The Bible teaches of only one true Church, which is named after its founder (Christ) and its name is required for us to be saved:
“… there is no other name under Heaven that has been given among men, in which it is required of us to be saved.” (Acts 4:12, Literal Standard Version, Emphasis Mine)
The Bible teaches of only one true Church, which is named after its founder (Christ) and its name is required for us to be saved:
“… there is no other name under Heaven that has been given among men, in which it is required of us to be saved.” (Acts 4:12, Literal Standard Version, Emphasis Mine)
THE HEAD AND BODY
Our Lord Jesus Christ built or established His Church (Matt. 16:18). Apostle Paul described the Church that this is the body of Christ:
“Christ is also the head of the church, which is his body. …”
(Reference: Col. 1:18 NLT, Emphasis Mine)
The apostles also tell us that the Church is analogous to a physical human body with many parts or members:
“For as in one physical body we have many parts (organs, members) and all of these parts do not have the same function or use, So we, numerous as we are, are one body in Christ (the Messiah) and individually we are parts one of another [mutually dependent on one another].”
(Reference: Rom. 12:4-5 Amplified Bible, Classic Edition, Emphasis Mine)
According to Apostle Paul, as there is only one head—Christ— there is only one body or Church that belongs to Christ. It follows then that the true Church remains a single organization no matter where it spreads and no matter how many its members are.
CHURCH THAT WILL BE SAVED BEARS THE NAME
At present, there are many religions that claim to be the Church established by Christ. How can we identify the Church founded by Him? Apostle James tells us:
“Do they not insult the holy name of Christ by which you are called?”
(Reference: James 2:7 Christian Community Bible, Emphasis Mine)
The true Church can be identified by how it is called — by the name of Christ. This is very important since:
“… through the name of Jesus Christ, …
“There is no salvation in anyone else; for there is no other Name given to humankind, all over the world, by which we may be saved.”
(Reference: Acts 4:10, 12 The Message, Emphasis Mine)
Hence, the Church that will be saved bears the name of the Savior. As such, the apostles called the Church established by the Lord Jesus “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)
Others claim that “Church of God” can be read in other Bible translations such as the New King James Version — that it is the more accurate rendering of Acts 20:28. Such claim is wrong because the latter part of the verse states: “which he has purchased with his blood.” The rendering “church of God” would mean that it was God who died and shed blood on the cross. This contradicts other Bible verses that teach that God is immortal (I Tim. 1:17), is a Spirit (John 4:24 Today’s English Version), has no flesh and bones (Luke 24:36–39), and therefore has no blood. It is the Lord Jesus Christ’s blood that washed the members of His Church of their sins:
“knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.”
(Reference: I Peter 1:18-19 NKJV, Emphasis Mine)
“… Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth. To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood.”
(Reference: Rev. 1:5 NKJV, Emphasis Mine)
Therefore, since God is a “Spirit” with no flesh and bones the preferred translation would either be the American Standard Version ― “church of the Lord” or the Lamsa Translation ― “church of Christ,” for it was Christ who “washed us from our sins in His own blood,” not the Father.
THE IMPORTANCE OF THE CHURCH
One might ask: “How is the Church Of Christ essential to man’s spiritual well-being?” Christ Himself emphasized His purpose in establishing the Church:
“And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the powers of death shall not prevail against it.”
(Reference: Matt. 16:18 Revised Standard Version, Emphasis Mine)
The true Church is far more important than wealth, wisdom, power, and anything else in this world because if one is a member of the true Church, Christ guarantees that he will never be defeated by death.
Does this mean that members of the Church Of Christ will no longer die? They may experience death, but they will live again:
“Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live’.”
(Reference: John 11:25 New King James Version, Emphasis Mine)
When Church of Christ members who died in Christ are resurrected from death, it will be for eternal life for they will always be with the Lord (I Thessalonians 4:16-17 NKJV). On the other hand, those who are outside the church are the ones who are not part of the body of Christ; they are the unfortunate ones who will be judged and condemned:
“What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church?… God will judge those outside. ‘Expel the wicked man from among you’.”
(Reference: I Cor. 5:12-13 New International Version, Emphasis Mine)
Those who are outside the church are not members of Christ’s body; they will face the unfortunate judgment of God on Judgment Day and are not exempt from it because “…all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” ( Romans 3:23 NKJV). And the full payment of sin “…is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23 NKJV). This death mentioned is the second death in the lake of brimstone and fire (Rev. 21:8 NKJV). Thus, one must be in Christ to attain life eternal. When one is a member of the Church which Christ is the head of (Col. 1:18), Christ will answer for the sins of His body because “…Christ is himself the Savior of the church, his body” (Eph. 5:23 GNT). Hence, those who desire to be saved must be a part or member of the “one body.” Thus, when Christ saves His body or church on the Day of Judgment, then those who are part members of the body (church) are saved by its head who is Christ. “This is a great mystery, but it is an illustration of the way Christ and the church are one” (Eph 5:32 NLT).
Indeed, God’s purpose in having Christ establish the Church Of Christ is very noble. God wants people to be saved from punishment in the lake of fire.
Even if people say they have faith in Christ, but they are separate from the flock or Church (Acts 20:28 Lamsa), they are not truly believers of Christ (John 10:26 Living Bible). So for man to become part of the flock or Church and be saved, he must heed the commandment of the Lord Jesus:
“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)
Entering or joining the Church is indeed the way to salvation. This has been the master plan of God since the beginning or even before the creation of everything:
“May he be given glory forever and ever through endless ages because of his master plan of salvation for the church through Jesus Christ.”
(Reference: Eph. 3:21 LB, Emphasis Mine)
According to Apostle Paul, it is God’s master plan to give salvation to the Church through Christ. Hence, the Church is important just as salvation is important. The Church Of Christ is what Christ will save on Judgment Day.
We owe it to ourselves to be saved on Judgment Day. May all of us heed immediately to this call of God for now is the right time to do so:
“As God’s partners, we beg you not to reject this marvelous message of God’s great kindness. For God says, ‘At just the right time, I heard you. On the day of salvation, I helped you.’ Indeed, God is ready to help you right now. Today is the day of salvation.”
(Reference: II Cor. 6:1-2 New Living Translation, Emphasis Mine)
IN CONCLUSION
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The true church of Christ carries the true name of Christ. The church is the “body and Christ is the head of it” (Col 1:18), and “… there is no other name under Heaven that has been given among men, in which it is required of us to be saved” (Acts 4:12, Literal Standard Version, Emphasis Mine). Thus, it is the church that Christ will save on Judgment day for it is His body which He is the head of (col 1:18; Eph 5:23). Hence, we must enter in Christ by Him, for He is the door of the fold or flock (John 10:9 REV) the flock is the “Church Of Christ” (acts 20:28 Lamsa Translation).
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WE KINDLY EXTEND our visitors an invitation to explore the pristine original teachings of Christ and His apostles, just as taught in the first-century Church. Through the link below, you will be introduced to the various misconceptions and false teachings about salvation:
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?
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(Eph. 4:29, Amplified Bible)
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(1 Corinthians 13:4-5, Amplified Bible)