The Church-The Fellowship of True Christian Believers

The church of God is not a man-made institution, but is of the Lord. Jesus said, "Upon this rock I will build my church" (Matthew 16:18). Jesus knew that the church was essential to God's great plan, and declared it would endure for time and eternity. The church is the spiritual home for believers while they are here on earth; heaven is the home of the saved throughout eternity.

What is the Church?

The term "church of God" refers to a visible group of people which can be located and observed, as in Acts 13:1, Romans 16:5, and Ephesians 1:1. This body is defined in the Scriptures as "the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth" (1 Timothy 3:15). In the church, the doctrines and ordinances of the Word of God are taught and practiced. The kingdom of God and the kingdom of heaven are identical to the kingdom of Christ (Luke 17:20-21). This kingdom consists of all souls throughout the world who are the children of God, who truly have Christ as their King, even though some of them are not members of the visible church. Jesus referred to these children of God in John 10:16, "And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd."

How Can I Recognize the Church of God?

The church of God can be recognized because she believes, teaches, and practices the Word of God. The church does not add or subtract from Biblical teachings, but holds to them even in the face of opposition, ridicule, or death (John 14:15). The foundation of the church is Jesus Christ. The saving gospel is her most important message. The new birth is required to become a member of the church. Water baptism is the door into the church. This baptism symbolizes the covenant made by members with God and the church (Matthew 16:16-19). The presence of the Holy Spirit is revealed within the church. The unity of the Holy Spirit is proven by a kindred spirit and a mutual love for one another. "By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another" (John 13:35). This love and humility will instil a desire in the observer to be united with the children of God. The church teaches against worldly pleasures, fashion, lust, and the pursuit of power, fame, and riches. Strife, force, and war have no place in the church of God. Ministers are chosen by the leading of the Holy Spirit from among the brethren. These ministers teach and proclaim the will of God. The church of God teaches that marriage between a man and woman is honorable and must be a life-long commitment. It is against the will of God for a believer to marry an unbeliever. Those seeking marriage recognize the importance of God's leading in their lives and the necessity of purity in their conduct. 

Since the time of Christ, there have always been a people who have embraced Jesus' doctrine of living in peace and loving their enemies. These people, known by different names at different times, believed and taught that the kingdom of God is a peaceable kingdom which does not allow the use of force or violence by its citizens.

Why Do I Need the Church?

Complete text of: The Church-The Fellowship of True Christian Believers

Every Christian needs spiritual food and spiritual fellowship in order to grow. He welcomes the reminders, warnings, and the encouragement of other mature believers. Jesus instructed God's children to watch over each other and to be their brother's keeper. There is safety in the company of fellow believers. Jesus wanted His children to live in unity for the same reason that a shepherd wants his flock to be close together. The writer of the book of Hebrews instructed the believers not to forsake assembling themselves together (Hebrews 10:25). This brotherly concern for one another, as taught in the New Testament, can only be carried out within a body of born-again believers. Keeping the doctrines and ordinances of baptism, holy matrimony, Holy Communion, and church discipline requires a visible, united body. Christ built the church to meet the needs of the believers and to portray God's plan to the lost world. This church is endowed with spiritual gifts to edify the believers and to bring the gospel to the world. In times of trouble, the church is a friend indeed, as Peter discovered. While Peter was in prison, the church prayed without ceasing in his behalf, and the Lord delivered him (Acts 12:4-14). When going through the valley of the shadow of death, or in other times of sorrow, it is comforting to know that God's people are caring and praying.

How Can I Become a Member of God's Church?

Those who repent of their sins and are born again shall be baptized (Acts 2:38). To repent means to find remorse for one's sins and to forsake them. Upon these conditions, God grants forgiveness and the Holy Spirit is received. This gives one a new life in Christ Jesus. If you serve the Lord by faith and are willing to believe and obey all of the doctrines and teachings of His church, then the conditions for church membership are met.

The Blessings of the Church

Believers find unity, warmth, and fellowship in the church. There is love and concern for one another, and a burden for the unsaved. The pastor and the members join in a common effort to keep sin out of their hearts, homes, and congregation. Parents love their children and teach them to be obedient and respectful. In the church, both young and old receive courage and inspiration for daily Christian living. Bible principles are taught which nurture lasting marriages and produce solid homes. Moral purity and peaceful consciences in the membership creates an atmosphere of trust and confidence. True contentment overcomes the temptation to pursue selfish pleasures, fame, riches, or power.

Where Can the Church of Christ Be Found?

Jesus will dwell in the hearts of humble, obedient believers (John 14:23). This group of Christians is identified by their adherence to all of the doctrines of the Bible and by the witness of the Holy Spirit. A seeker should carefully and prayerfully read the outline described in the New Testament and join the church that abides by Scriptural teachings and is under the anointing power of the Holy Spirit. "There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling: One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all" (Ephesians 4:4-6).

  

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The Battle of Your Soul

A shield and sword

Some of the greatest battles in life are fought within the heart.

Many leaders throughout history have been intent on conquering other nations. Some selfish rulers and leaders have even entertained thoughts of ruling the entire world. Those leaders have forced thousands of soldiers into battle because of their personal desire for power, wealth, and fame.

The physical battles that are fought between armies have caused much anguish and loss of life. Many soldiers have been severely injured, and many lives have needlessly been cut short because of the selfish goals of certain leaders. This has caused severe anguish of heart for the loved ones of those that have perished. Defeat has also caused much heartache and sadness for those unsuccessful leaders.

Complete text of: The Battle of Your Soul

The Spiritual Battle

Every responsible soul encounters great spiritual battles in life. The consequences of these battles are of tremendous weight and importance. The loss of a physical battle can bring disgrace to a leader during his life. The loss of the battle of your soul will bring anguish for eternity. Have you thought of the inevitable consequences of a self-centered Christless life?

Are you going to lose the battle of life? The battle between life and death? The battle between heaven and hell? The battle between self-denial and self-love, your soul and the world? Jesus says, “What shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” (Mark 8:36).

Whether we have much or little of this natural world in our possession, if we lose our own soul, what a tragedy! Our eternal destiny will be sealed. Many people do not realize that there is a great spiritual battle to be fought. Their understanding has been blinded by Satan and the world, and they are asleep to the realities of the battle against sin. The Bible says, “Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light” (Ephesians 5:14). Shake off the chains of sin and Satan. Make it a fight to the finish! You cannot escape natural death, but you can escape eternal death. If you lose the battle for your soul’s salvation, it will be an eternal doom in hell and torment.

The Choice

Did you ever stop to consider that there is but one step between you and death? Are you ready to pass over the threshold of time into eternity? To gain the victory that will lead you to your heavenly home, you must come to Jesus. “God... now commandeth all men every where to repent” (Acts 17:30). NOW! Not tomorrow or some other convenient season. “Now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:2). If you are yet without Christ in your heart, if your past condemns you, if you have not experienced the new birth (John 3:3), do not rest at ease. Repent! Come to Jesus just as you are while He stands knocking at the door of your heart. He said, “If any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him” (Revelation 3:20). You may ask, “Can a sinner really be saved?” Yes! Come to Christ in faith with your whole heart and accept Him as your personal Savior, repenting of your sins and obeying the voice of the Holy Spirit. Then you will win the battle of your soul. You will not only enjoy peace and joy in this life, but also bliss and glory with your Savior in eternity. Thousands of years ago the prophet Ezekiel said, “If the wicked will turn from all his sins that he hath committed... and do that which is lawful and right, he shall surely live” (Ezekiel 18:21).

If you intend to enjoy the pleasures of a sinful world, you will find yourself losing out in the end just as many power-hungry leaders have throughout history. You will be as a drowning man without a Savior, and you will perish. Grasp hold of Jesus Christ, the great Life Preserver, without delay. He will save you. Then, concerning the last battle, you will say with the apostle Paul, “Thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:57).

The apostle Paul writes about this battle of the soul being a good fight. He says, “Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life” (1 Timothy 6:12). God is very interested in this fight of faith and delights in rewarding faith in Him. This victory is within the grasp of each person.

Dear soul, you have the choice of victory or defeat; heaven or hell; the living God or the devil; a joyous, glorious eternity or endless woe and torment. “I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life” (Deuteronomy 30:19).

Choose Jesus today!

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A Savior For You

The prodigal son asking his father for his inheritance

Are you a happy person? Fear and the guilt of sin can take away your happiness. You may wonder, “How can I be happy?”

I have good news for you! There is someone who can help you. He can forgive your sins and give you lasting happiness. His name is Jesus. Let me tell you about Him.

His Father, God, is the One Who made the world. He made everything in the world. He made you and me.

God loves us. He loves everyone in the world. God loves us so much that He sent Jesus, His only Son, to this world. When Jesus was on this earth, He healed the sick and comforted the sad. He opened blinded eyes. He taught the people many things. 

Complete text of: A Savior For You

Jesus wanted us to understand the great love that His Father has for you and me. He told this story that explained the love of His Father. You can read this in the Bible in St. Luke 15:11-24.

A certain man had two sons. He thought all was going well. One day one of the sons rebelled and came to him and said, “I don’t like this home, I want my own way, and I am leaving. Give me my share of the inheritance.” The father was very sad but he gave him the money and let him go. He wondered if he would ever see his son again.

The son went far away and enjoyed himself with his money and his friends. He carelessly wasted his money in selfish living. He thought he was having a very good time until suddenly his money ran out and his friends left him. He was all alone and needy. Now what should he do?

He went to a farmer and the farmer sent him to feed the pigs. He was not given enough to eat. He was so hungry he would have eaten the pigs’ food. He started to think of all the bad things he had done and how he had mistreated his father. He became more and more miserable.

The prodigal son feeding the pigs

One day he remembered how loving his father had been and how well he had been provided for when he was still at home. Even his father’s servants had plenty to eat.

He thought, “Could I go back to my father after all I have done to him? Will he still love me? I am not worthy to be his son. I am willing to be just a servant if only he will take me in.”

Immediately he got to his feet and started for his father’s house. He would see if his father would forgive him.

The father had been longing for his son ever since he left. He often wondered, “Will he ever come back?” Then one day he saw someone coming in the distance. Could that be his son? When he saw that it was, he ran to him with outstretched arms.

“Father,” the son said, “I have sinned against you. I’m not worthy to be your son.”

But his father said, “Bring the best clothes for him and prepare a feast. My son was lost but now he is found.”

The father welcoming the prodigal son home

We are all like this son; we have all strayed from God, our Father. We have wasted the opportunities and many good things He has given us. We have lived selfishly and rebelled against Him. Today our heavenly Father invites us to come to Jesus. He is waiting for us with outstretched arms.

Jesus showed us His love by giving His life as a sacrifice for our sins and the sins of the whole world. He suffered pain and rejection as He allowed wicked men to nail Him to a cross. By the power of God He rose from the dead and lives forever.

Come to Jesus and ask Him to forgive your sin. When He sees you are sorry for the wrongs you have done, He will forgive you and wash away all your sin with His blood that He shed. It will be a wonderful experience! You will become a new person. Life will take on new meaning. Jesus will replace your guilt and fear with joy and happiness. He will be your Savior.

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