Plain Talk Vol.2, No.7, Pg.3 - Cedar Park Church of Christ

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Vol. 2, No. 7
August, 1965

Simple Truths re. Church

There are hundreds of churches in our land, and most of them claim some relation to the church of the New Testament. Yet, oddly enough, there seems to be a reluctance to consider obvious truths set forth in the N.T. about that church. Let's note a few.

THIS CHURCH BELONGS TO CHRIST. He said so, when He promised to build it. (Matt. 16:18) He purchased it with His own blood; i.e., its members occupy their position by virtue of His sacrifice on their behalf. (Acts 20:28) He gave Himself for it. (Eph. 5:25)

It is not MY church, and it is not YOUR church either; so we should never take liberties with another's property. This one fact alone, remembered and respected, should keep us from many religious errors.

CHRIST IS HEAD OF HIS church. His word is authority; all things relative to the church are at His feel. (Eph. 1:22-23; Col. 1:13-20)

Its characteristics must, therefore, be Christ-determined. Questions must be Christ-answered; and problems must be Christ-solved. This clearly rules out synods, conferences, rule of majorities, tradition, etc., in determining matters of faith. If it is important enough to be an issue, it is important enough to let Christ settle---i.e., there must be authority for our conclusion in the N.T.

CHRIST IS THE WAY, THE DOOR. Only those who come via Christ may enter this church. (Jn. 10:7-f.; Jn. 14:6) It is Christ's prerogative to say what one must do to be acceptable, and my feelings, what your mother said, and what thousands of others believe has nothing whatsoever to do with gaining entrance to Christ's church.
Christ sent the Apostles out to bring people unto Him; and he told them to preach faith, repentance, and baptism. (Matt. 28:19-; Mk. 16:15-; Lu. 24:46-f.) When Peter used the keys to Christ's kingdom (Matt. 16:19) he told people to "repent and be baptized.....for the remission of sins." (Acts 2:38) Now if you have not gone through this door, you haven't entered Christ's church. It's just that simple ((Note Gal. 3:26-27)

CHRIST IS THE FINAL JUDGE. Men may tell you that these matters are of no great importance, but Christ will make the final judgment, and He will do that on the basis of the words He has given us. (Jn. 12:48-50) We are to be doers of the law, not judges (Jas. 4:10-12) In setting these things before you, I am only doing what Christ would have me to do (2 Tim. 2:2) for I am interested in your soul's salvation. "Am I therefore become your enemy because I tell you the truth?" (Gal. 4:16) What I think about the matter is of little consequence; but Christ's instructions are all-important. I want you to follow Him.

N.T. CHURCH IS CHURCH OF CHRIST. Is this such an odd conclusion? I do not mean it is MY church, I mean it is HIS church---the church that belongs to Christ. What possible objection could one have for calling it His church? Are you interested in being a member of the Lord's church?

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There are hundreds of churches in our land, and most of them claim some relation to the church of the New Testament. Yet, oddly enough, there seems to be a reluctance to consider obvious truths set forth in the N.T. about that church. Let's note a few. THIS CHURCH BELONGS TO CHRIST. He said so, when He promised to build it. (Matt. 16:18) He purchased it with His own blood; i.e., its members occupy their position by virtue of His sacrifice on their behalf. (Acts 20:28) He gave Himself for it. (Eph. 5:25) It is not MY church, and it is not YOUR church either; so we should never take liberties with another's property. This one fact alone, remembered and respected, should keep us from many religious errors. CHRIST IS HEAD OF HIS church. His word is authority; all things relative to the church are at His feel. (Eph. 1:22-23; Col. 1:13-20) Its characteristics must, therefore, be Christ-determined. Questions must be Christ-answered; and problems must be Christ-solved. This clearly rules out synods, conferences, rule of majorities, tradition, etc., in determining matters of faith. If it is important enough to be an issue, it is important enough to let Christ settle---i.e., there must be authority for our conclusion in the N.T. CHRIST IS THE WAY, THE DOOR. Only those who come via Christ may enter this church. (Jn. 10:7-f.; Jn. 14:6) It is Christ's prerogative to say what one must do to be acceptable, and my feelings, what your mother said, and what thousands of others believe has nothing whatsoever to do with gaining entrance to Christ's church.		Christ sent the Apostles out to bring people unto Him; and he told them to preach faith, repentance, and baptism. (Matt. 28:19-; Mk. 16:15-; Lu. 24:46-f.) When Peter used the keys to Christ's kingdom (Matt. 16:19) he told people to "repent and be baptized.....for the remission of sins." (Acts 2:38) Now if you have not gone through this door, you haven't entered Christ's church. It's just that simple ((Note Gal. 3:26-27) CHRIST IS THE FINAL JUDGE. Men may tell you that these matters are of no great importance, but Christ will make the final judgment, and He will do that on the basis of the words He has given us. (Jn. 12:48-50) We are to be doers of the law, not judges (Jas. 4:10-12) In setting these things before you, I am only doing what Christ would have me to do (2 Tim. 2:2) for I am interested in your soul's salvation. "Am I therefore become your enemy because I tell you the truth?" (Gal. 4:16) What I think about the matter is of little consequence; but Christ's instructions are all-important. I want you to follow Him. N.T. CHURCH IS CHURCH OF CHRIST. Is this such an odd conclusion? I do not mean it is MY church, I mean it is HIS church---the church that belongs to Christ. What possible objection could one have for calling it His church? Are you interested in being a member of the Lord's church? [Previous Article] [Next Article]