The Church

THE CHURCH

I have a question are you part of “the church”? I’m not asking if you are a member of a local congregation, which is important. But are you a part of “the church”?

What is the difference you may ask, there is a big difference. If you are born again you are a member of “the Church”, which you are supposed to be in order to be a member of a local congregation. But history has proven that not always to be the case.

The word church comes from the Greek word ekklesia, which means called out. The word church appears 79 times in The Holy Bible, King James Version. Jesus used the word 2 times, both instances in Matthew’s gospel.

Matthew 16:16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.

17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.

18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

Here Jesus tells us how the church is built, not on Peter as some think but on his profession that “Thou art the Christ the Son of the living God”. You and I must believe this and confess this in order to be a part of “the church”.

Matthew 18:17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.

Here Jesus is giving guidelines on discipline in the church. If we will follow these we will have fewer problems in the church.

In I Corinthians 12:12-27 we are told that there are many members, but only one body. Many are confused by denominations today, as there are so many, but there is only one body (church). If you are truly saved you are a part of that body, it really doesn’t matter what shingle hangs over the door.

Also we are told that all members of the body are important, no matter how great or how small. Each has a job to do, that only that member can do. It tells us God has placed each in the body, at the particular place in the body as it pleased Him. Then it goes on to tell us that if a part of the body is hurting the rest should hurt with them. Also if one member is honored all the rest of the body should rejoice with them. We are told there should be no schism (division) in the body. If we would heed all these we will be an asset to the body.

I ask at the beginning are you a member of “the church”? If you are saved you are. If you aren’t it’s my hope and prayer that you will be saved and in “the church”. I have said many times that when and if they print my obituary, that it would say where I attended church. But make it clear I was a member of “the church” not by anything I did other than accept and believe what Jesus Christ did for us all.

Have a great day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!