The simplest and most frequent reference to the
religious institution for which Jesus Christ died to establish,
over which he is Head, and for which he will return someday to
take to heaven is "the church." The simplest and most frequent reference to the
religious institution for which Jesus Christ died to establish,
over which he is Head, and for which he will return someday to
take to heaven is "the church."
References: Acts 2:47; 5:11; 13:1; 14:27; 15:3-4;
18:22; 20:17, 28; Romans 16:1, 5; 1 Corinthians 16:4; 12:28; 16:19;
Ephesians 1:22; 3:10, 21, 23-25, 29, 32; Philippians 3:6; Colossians
1:18, 24; 4:15-16; 1 Thessalonians 1:1; 2 Thessalonians 2:1; 1
Timothy 5:16; Philemon 2; James 5:15; 1 Peter 5:13; 3 John 6,
9-10; Revelation 2:1, 8, 12, 18; 3:1, 7, 14.
In other instances, the word "church"
is modified by descriptive terms, usually showing divine possession
(e.g., "my [Jesus'] church," Matthew 16:18; "churches
of Christ," Romans 16:16; "church of God," 1 Corinthians
1:2.
In the first century, there was only the one,
true church. Hence, it was not possible to confuse the Lord's
church with another church. Furthermore, the terms "my church,"
"churches of Christ," and "church of God"
did not refer to someone's denominational affiliation, but to
the one, true church.
Contemporary religion is much too complicated
and diverse because mankind has invested his "two cents worth"
into making the Lord's church more palatable for modern man (Matthew
15:9). Practicing primitive Christianity without the fanfare of
human invention is the only way one can be assured that we are
truly members of "the church" for which Jesus Christ
died to establish, over which he is Head, and for which he will
return someday to take to heaven.
Are you a member of "the church"? -RD
3 Box 28, Cameron, WV 26033.