Most people understand that the church is an important part of Christianity. Many may not be aware of the specific Scriptures that speak of the church, but they have seen enough buildings and organizations to know, if nothing else, that the church is an important part of Christianity. It is very difficult, however, to understand the idea of Christ's church with all the different denominations and organizations around. Different churches are run and organized in different ways. Some churches claim to be the true church, others think all churches are fine. Many people fall into despair, thinking that they cannot figure out much of anything about the church!

Let us not be afraid! We can learn about Christ's church from His word. Let us open its pages and learn today!

Christ Established His Church

"And I also say unto thee, that thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it" (Matthew 16:18).

Christ's church was established by Christ, and not any man or group of men.

Christ's Church is One

There is one body... (Ephesians 4:4).

The Scriptures teach us that the Church of Christ is one entity, an assembly that will come together on the last day, representing all those who are saved in Christ Jesus (Matthew 16:18, Ephesians 4:4-6; 5:22-33). Those who make up that body will assemble in local congregations of God's people (1 Corinthians 1:2, etc.). This unity is more than skin-deep; Jesus says that His followers should be one as He and His Father are one (John 17:22), and Paul establishes that there should be no divisions in the church, and that all should have the same judgment (1 Corinthians 1:10).

This statement is a stumbling block to many, and we should not be understood as saying that "we are the only ones going to Heaven". The Bible teaches that the people going to Heaven are those who are found obedient to Him and therefore are considered part of His church (Acts 2:47, Romans 6:16-23). We, of course, strive to be those who are obedient to God, and we have no problem associating with all those who strive to be obedient to God according to His Word!

Christ is Its Head

And he put all things in subjection under his feet, and gave him to be head over all things to the church (Ephesians 1:22).

Paul, in Ephesians 1:22-23 and 5:23, considers the church to be the body of Christ, with Christ as its head. Other people do have other functions within the church: the New Testament does speak of Apostles who existed in the first century and who were given authority to bind and loose what had been bound and loosed in Heaven (cf. Matthew 18:18), and elders charged to oversee and shepherd a local church (1 Peter 5:1-4). Deacons serve the church (1 Timothy 3:8-12), and members work to build up the body (1 Corinthians 12). All of these people, however, serve Christ in serving the church, and we all recognize that Christ is still the sole Head of the church. While mankind may vest authority in a system of bishops, a denominational organization, or some other sort of person or system, Christ's church maintains Christ and Christ alone as its head.

The Church Follows Christ

But as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives also be to their husbands in everything (Ephesians 5:24).

We understand in our own bodies that it is necessary for the whole to follow the commands of the head; if our bodies stopped following the brain's commands, we would have trouble indeed. Likewise, Christ's church, being His body, looks to Christ and follows Him, just as a body naturally follows its head (Ephesians 5:23). This requires a church to follow Christ according to His will as revealed in the Scriptures and to follow no other plan (Colossians 3:17, 2 Timothy 3:16-17).

While the religious world may be in confusion regarding the church, we can have every confidence that Christ's church still does exist on the earth and that we can be a part of it (Matthew 28:20). We seek to be part of Christ's church, following Him in all spiritual matters. We seek others who desire to do the same. If you desire to be a part of Christ's body, we encourage you to come and join us!

This E-Tract Compliments of the church of Christ in Norwalk, Ohio

We, the church of Christ in Norwalk, Ohio, are happy to present you
with this e-tract to promote the truth of God throughout the world.

386 North Edgewood Drive
(Right off US 250 North)
Norwalk, Ohio 44857

(419) 541-6254
norwalkchurch.org

Assemblies:

Sunday morning Bible Study: 9:30am
Sunday morning Assembly: 10:30am
Sunday evening Assembly: 6:00pm
Wednesday evening Bible Study: 7:00pm

Want more information? Please contact us here!

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