SEARCHING FOR THE LORD’S CHURCH

by David Sain

 

I want you to find a man.

Oh, not just any man, but a particular man, in fact, there is only one man that can be the right man.

Now, to aid you in finding exactly the right man, I will tell you his name, his height and weight, where and when he was born, where he now lives, where he works, and a description of his family.

Do you think you can find this man?

Well, I think your reply would be, “Yes, with a complete description like that I think I can find him.”

Now, suppose that you are looking for a church (not a man).

Oh, not just any church, but a particular church.  In fact, there is only one church that can be the one that you want to find.  How would you go about finding exactly the right church?

Just as you could find a particular man with a complete description of that man, you can also find a particular church with a complete description of that church.

If you know the name of a particular church, how that church worships, how that church is organized, and what that church teaches, you can find the church that matches that description.

In these United States of America, there are more than 250 different churches — each one claiming to follow Jesus.  But, they are not all alike.  They believe and teach conflicting doctrines about salvation.  They worship in different ways.  They wear different names.  And, there is a great variation in the way they are organized and governed.

The religious condition of America is mass confusion and division, which cannot be pleasing to our Lord!

Jesus prayed that all believers would be united (John 17:20-21).  The apostle Paul wrote that God is not the author of confusion but of peace (1 Corinthians 14:33).

He also taught that there is one body (Ephesians 4:4), which is the church (Colossians 1:18).  In other words, the Bible teaches that there is only one body—only one church!

Consider these Biblical revelations: (a) Jesus said, “...on this rock I will build My church...” (Matthew 16:18). (b) Jesus is the Savior of the body—the church (Ephesians 5:23). (c) God adds the saved to the church (Acts 2:47).

These scriptures teach that Jesus built only one church.  He is the head of that one church.  He is the Savior of that one church!  Therefore, it is essential to salvation that one be a member of the one church that Jesus built, for that Is the one which He will save.

But, In the midst of all the religious division and confusion, is it possible for a person to know which one is the Lord’s church?

Yes.  It is possible!  A person can know which church is the Lord’s!

Just as you can find a particular man by identifying the one who matches the description you are given, you can find the Lord’s church by identifying the church that matches the description that is given in the New Testament.

The New Testament tells us how they worshipped.  It tells us how the church is to be organized.  It reveals the names by which the church is identified. It also tells us what people must do to be saved and how they are added to that church.

 

How The Lord’s Church Worships.

 

On the night before His crucifixion, Jesus Instituted the Lord’s Supper (Matthew 26:26-28).  This action of worship involves eating unleavened bread and drinking the fruit of the vine (Matthew 26:16-29) with the bread representing the body of Christ, and the fruit of the vine representing the blood of Christ.  The church is commanded to do this in remembrance of Jesus (I Corinthians 11:23-29), and we have an example of the early Christians breaking bread on the first day of the week (Acts20:7).

Note: There is not one New Testament command or example that authorizes the church to observe the Lord’s Supper on any other day of the week.

Another part of the worship of the Lord’s church, as recorded in the New Testament, is giving of material possessions.  This is to be done on the first day of the week according to one’s prosperity, and it is to be done cheerfully and liberally, according as one purposes in his heart (1 Corinthians 16:1-2; 2 Corinthians 9:6-7).

Note: There is not one New Testament command or example that authorizes any other method, such as rummage sales or bake-sales.

The Lord’s church is commanded to sing and make melody in the heart to the Lord (Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16).  We also have other references that illustrate the early Christians obeying this command (e.g., 1 Corinthians 14:15).

Note: There is not one New Testament command or example that authorizes mechanical music for Christian worship! Vocal music is the only kind of music divinely authorized for Christian worship!

The Lord’s church is also a praying people (Acts 2:42; 4:23-31; 12:12; etc).  The men are taught to pray everywhere (1 Timothy 2:8), and the woman is forbidden to have authority over a man (1 Timothy 2:11-12).  Therefore, men are the leaders of worship and women are in subjection to the men.

Note: There is no New Testament authority for a woman to lead in prayer, preach, or lead In any other capacity when the church is assembled.

In searching for the Lords church, we must look for that church which worships exactly like the Lord church, according to the New Testament.

 

ü      Eating the Lord’s Supper on the first day of every week.

ü      A free-will offering on the first day of every week.

ü      Praying with the men leading in the assemblies of the church.

ü      Vocal music only.

 

How The Lord Church Is Governed.

 

Jesus Christ is the head over the church (Colossians 1:18; Ephesians 1:22-23).  He is the one above all others!

In New Testament days, elders were appointed in every city (Titus 1:5), and were the overseers of the church (Acts 20:28).

It should be noted that the authority of the elders does not extend beyond the local congregation.  The Lords church has no earthly headquarters, and there is no body of men that governs all of the churches, or any group of churches in a geographical area.  Each congregation of the Lord’s church is self-governed.

Also, deacons are a part of the Lord’s church.  The word deacon means a servant, and that indicates the role of a deacon in the local congregation.  The deacon has no authority other than that which is given to him by the elders.

The preacher in the Lord’s church is simply an evangelist — a minister (1 Corinthians 3:5).  He is not THE pastor and does not have authority.

We must look for that church which is organized like the Lord’s church, namely:

 

ü      Each congregation is self-ruled; no earthly headquarters.

ü      The preacher is an evangelist, not the pastor.

ü      Elders oversee the local church.

ü      Deacons are servants.

 

Terms By Which The Lord’s Church Is Identified

 

The Lord’s church is identified by various terms.  In I Corinthians 1:2, Paul addressed his letter to “the church of God.”  In I Timothy 3:15, he wrote about the “house of God which is the church of the living God?”

Another term by which the Lord’s church is Identified is “churches of Christ” (Romans 16:16)—a reference to groups of Christians, meeting in various locations.

Other references to the Lord’s people are “the church” (Acts 13:1); “the kingdom” (Colossians 1:13-14), and “the body, the church” (Colossians 1:18).

In reference to their relationship to the world the saved people who make up the church are identified as saints (Romans 1:7).  In reference to their relationship to each other, they are referred to as brethren (Galatians 6:1). Their relationship to God makes them children of God (1 John 3:2).  Their relationship to Jesus makes them disciples (Acts 11:26) and Christians (Acts 11:26).

 

ü      In searching for the Lord’s church, we need to look for that church which is identified by Bible terms.

 

Let it be noted that a church could be identified with a Bible name but still not be the Lord’s church.  (That church may be unscriptural in worship, organization, or doctrine.)

However, it should also be emphasized that no one should want to be in a religious group that is identified by a name that cannot even be found in the Bible.

 

How People Are Saved.

 

Through examples and commands, the New Testament (especially the book of Acts) teaches us how people are saved.

In Acts, chapter two, Luke records the conversion of about 3000.  In chapter eight, he tells the story of the conversion of the Ethiopian treasurer.  The conversion of Saul of Tarsus is found in chapter nine.  The salvation of Cornelius and his household is recorded in chapter ten.  In chapter 16, we read the story of how a Jailor was saved.  An objective study of these examples clearly reveals how people are saved from their sins:

 

·        One must believe In Jesus. “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved (Acts 16:31). Also, see Mark 16:15-16.

·        One must repent from sins. “Repent and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38).  Also, see Acts 17:30-31.

·        One must confess faith in Jesus. “And he answered and said, ‘I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God’” (Acts 8:37).  Also, see Romans 10:9-10.

·        One must be baptized for the remission of sins.  “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38). Also, see l Peter 3:21.

 

In searching for the Lords church, we must look for that church which teaches and practices the doctrine of salvation which is found In the New Testament:

 

ü      Faith in Jesus Christ

ü      Repentance from sins

ü      Confession of faith in Jesus Christ

ü      Baptism for the remission of sins

 

A Note About Baptism

 

Many people believe that one should be baptized to obey God, but do not believe it is essential to salvation.  Some practice baptism as a requirement for entrance into some particular church, but do not believe that it is essential for salvation.  However, the Bible clearly teaches that baptism Is essential for salvation!

In Matthew 26:28, Jesus said He shed His blood “for the remission of sins,” and He used the same words that Peter used when he commanded people to repent and be baptized “for the remission of sins” (Acts 2:38). Therefore, whatever purpose Jesus had in shedding His blood is the purpose one should have in being baptized.

Now, we all understand that Jesus died so that men can have the forgiveness of sins!  Therefore, the reason that one should have in being baptized is so that he can have the forgiveness of sins!

In other words, until one is baptized In the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, he has not been baptized scripturally (Acts 2:38).

 

The Complete Picture Of Bible Baptism

 

·        Scriptural baptism Is done In the name of Jesus Christ — that is, by His authority (Acts 2:38).

·        Scriptural baptism is immersion in water (Acts 8:35-39: Romans 6:4.) Note: to say that one is “baptized” is to say that one is buried or immersed. Sprinkling or pouring water upon someone does not constitute scriptural baptism.

·        Scriptural baptism is into the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19).

·        Scriptural baptism is for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38; Acts 22:16; 1 Peter 3:21).

 

A Plea

 

Friend, make the Bible your pattern, and search for that church which:

 

·        Worships –

like the New Testament teaches,

 

·        Is organized –

like the New Testament teaches,

 

·        Is identified by terms –

found in the New Testament,

 

—and—

 

·        Teaches the doctrine of salvation –

found in the New Testament!

 

Recommendation!

 

I recommend that you Investigate the CHURCH OF CHRIST.

 

I believe that you will find that we:

 

·        Worship –

like the New Testament teaches,

 

·        Are organized –

like the New Testament teaches,

 

·        Are identified by terms –

found in the New Testament,

 

—and—

 

·        Teach the doctrine of salvation –

found in the New Testament!

 

We invite you to join us as we strive to teach, believe, and do only that which the New Testament authorizes.