Steps to Enter God's Church

In Matthew 16:18, Jesus told the apostle Peter that He (Christ) would build His (Christ’s) church and the gates of hades (death) would not prevail against it. Christ Himself is the foundation of His church – 1 Corinthians 3:11…”for other foundation can no man lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Also, Ephesians 2:20…”Christ Jesus, the chief corner stone” of that foundation.

There are five steps to get into the church that Jesus built.

Hearing is the first step because faith comes by hearing the word of God – Romans 10:17. However, many will refuse to hear. Perhaps they are afraid of having to change their lives if they develop faith…and many don’t want to change. Others may have to listen or read many hours to develop faith enough to follow Jesus.

Believe/faith. “Jesus answered and said unto them, this is the work of God, that ye believe on Him who He hath sent” – John 6:29. Faith is a work and the hardest work in becoming a Christian.
King Solomon wrote in Ecclesiastes 12:12 – “And furthermore, my son, be admonished; of making of many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh.” Read the bible.

Repentance is the next step and is a change of mind that leads to a change in ones actions.
In Acts 2:38, the apostle Peter told the people to repent. Acts 17:30….”God commands all men everywhere to repent”.

Confession of Christ – not sins – is the next step in becoming a Christian. In Acts 8:37 we have an example of one confessing Christ before being baptized. Romans 10:10 also tells us that “with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” If one has faith and has repented, confession is easy.

Baptism is the last step in becoming a Christian. Acts 2:38 tells us that baptism is for remission of sins. In Mark 16:16, Jesus said..."he that believeth AND is baptized shall be saved..” In Acts 2:38 when the 3,000 (Acts 2:41), were baptized for (in order to have) remission of sins, the Lord added them to the church – Acts 2:47.
Romans 6:3 and Galatians 3:27 also tells us that baptism puts one into Christ, His church, His body. In Christ is also where we find ALL spiritual blessings – Ephesians 1:3.

We have numerous examples in the book of Acts showing how one enters God’s/Christ’s church. Today, the same Lord will add those who do the same things we read about in Acts. You will be added to the same church. The one Christ purchased with his blood – Acts 20:28. The ONE church – 1 Corinthians 12:13.

Are you in the ONE church that Christ died for? You can be by following the five steps found in God’s word (bible) and continuing to live faithfully according to that same word.

You might want to read the previous post – “How does one become a Christian”. Archived on this blog under year 2008.

Terms for the Church

The word church literally means, ‘the called out’, from the Greek “ekklesia”.
Defined in the Christian sense, an assembly of Christians gathering for worship. (Thayer).

The word ‘church’ – as translated – has two meanings, or is used in two senses.
1). The Universal sense – meaning the institution for which Jesus died and which is composed of all those ‘called out’ of the world into God’s service.
A spiritual relationship.

2). The Local sense – meaning a local congregation composed of the ‘called out’ in any locality who worship faithfully together, lay by in store, work together through this common store as God’s word directs.

(side note): People are 'called' by the gospel of Christ (2 Thessalonians 2:14)
The gospel - good news - is "the power of God unto salvation" (Romans 1:16).

The church you read about in the Bible does not have an official or proper name, but rather has several terms which describe it.

One term for local churches (a group of Christians meeting) is “churches of Christ”, (Romans 16:16). Please note the word church is never capitalized in the Bible. We do not capitalize it as we would a proper name. While we use the term “church of Christ” for a local church, “flock” (Acts 20:28) is another term used to describe a local church, as is “church of God”,
(1 Corinthians 1:2).

Several terms are used to describe the one church which is comprised of all the Christians or disciples (Acts 11:26). The one church of which Christ is the Head is also called the “body” (Colossians 1:18). Christ is the head of the body and it has many members (1 Corinthians 12:12). Not many bodies as some denominations teach, but one head [Christ], over “one body” [His church] (Ephesians 4:4-5).
Scriptural baptism puts one into that one body, (1 Corinthians 12:13). Ephesians 5:23 states that Christ is the head of the church and savior of the body. Body and church are used to mean the same thing. Christ is head of the body, (Colossians 1:18).

Kingdom is another term to describe the one church. Christ is “Lord of lords and King of kings” (Revelation 17:14). This would also teach that Christ has all authority as does Matthew 28:18. All we do in word [what we teach] and deed [how we live] must be done in the name of the Lord [by His authority] (Colossians 3:17; Acts 4:7).

How can we have a genuine church of Christ today? Succession is in the seed. As long as we have watermelon seed, we will have watermelons. God’s word is the seed for a church of Christ. As long as we have the word of God, the seed “which abideth forever” (1Peter 1:23) we can have the church of Christ.

What does your church call itself? Is it from God’s everlasting seed or mans temporary ideas?

It is hoped you will look up the Bible passages mentioned and read for your own knowledge and edification.

It Must be Applied!

The story is told of a preacher and a soap salesman walking down the street together. As they passed a bar, a drunk staggered out. The soap salesman said to the preacher, “your gospel isn’t working very well to have drunks on the street.”

They walked a little further and saw some little children playing in an alley, as dirty as kids can get. The preacher said to the soap salesman, “I see your product isn’t working either.” The soap salesman replied, "the soap must be applied to work."
The preacher answered…."so does the gospel."

On the day of Pentecost, the apostle Peter preached enough gospel to save the entire world….were it applied to all the world. After hearing preaching about Christ, some Jews came to believe in Christ and asked what to do? Acts 2:37. Peter told them, “repent and be baptized every one of you in the name [by the authority of] Jesus Christ for [in order to have] remission of sins.”
Some 3,000 persons applied it to themselves and were baptized – Acts 2:41 – and the Lord added them to the church – Acts 2:47.

Some people might ask, which church the Lord added them to? In Matthew 16:18, Jesus said, “upon this rock I will build MY church.” Since Christ is the ONLY rock foundation upon which the church is built – 1 Corinthians 3:11 – and no one can build another rock foundation, He added them to His church.

Jesus is the head of the body, the church – Colossians 1:18. The bible teaches that there is ONE body – Ephesians 4:4.

There are a plurality of local churches – Roman 16:16 – but the ONE church is a [spiritual] relationship with Christ, the head.
Christ is head and savior of the body, the church – Ephesians 5:23.

Some ask if a person can be saved outside [not in] the church which is Christ’s body?
Ephesians 5:23 tells us what Christ if the savior of…..His body, His church!

The GOSPEL must be applied to be effective.

The Kingdom of God IS in Existence.

There is a reason many do not believe the kingdom of Christ is now in existence…..it is because many believe it was to be a carnal kingdom.

However, Jesus said “My kingdom is NOT of this world; if My kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight – John 18:36.
There is NO carnal fighting in Christ’s kingdom, it is a spiritual kingdom.

1). Mark 9:1 – “and He said unto them, verily I say unto you, that there be some of them that stand here, which shall not taste of death, till they have seen the kingdom of God come with power”. If the kingdom of Christ has not come (as some teach), there are some pretty old people in the world.
God cannot lie – Titus 1:2; Hebrews 6:18.
Jesus is God – John 1:1-3
Jesus accepted worship as God – John 9:38.

So no matter what some say and teach, the kingdom of God came in the first century.

2). In John 18:37 – “Pilate therefore said unto Him, art thou a king then?” Jesus answered – “thou sayest that I am a king. To this end have I been born, and to this end am I come into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth.”

3). Jesus right now is “Lord of lords and King of kings” – Revelation 17:14.
Since He is a king, He has a kingdom.

4). In Revelation 1:9, the apostle John said he himself was IN the tribulation and the kingdom!

5). In Colossians 1:13, the apostle Paul wrote the kingdom was here.

6). In Matthew 16:19, Jesus gave Peter the keys to the kingdom – so that Peter could open the door to the kingdom in Acts 2 when Peter preached the first gospel sermon including the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ.

The Lord’s church and the kingdom are the same thing. The new birth (baptism) puts one into the kingdom or family of God – John 3:3-5.

Are you in the kingdom of God?

Names GOD is called, reveal HIS Nature.

The bible teaches very clearly that there is ONE GOD (Godhood), consisting of three equal but separate persons. Father, Son, Holy Spirit. The three all share the same attributes and are ONE in everything - thought, purpose, plan, nature, power.

We are going to look at God’s nature as revealed in His name(s).

Introduction to Names.

There was a time when a surname (to put a name upon),
meant something – Proverbs 22:1; Barnabas, Acts 4:36; 10:5.
Psalms 9:10 – “They that know thy name will put their trust in Thee.”
1 Kings 8:27 – The heavens cannot contain God – much less one name describe God.

1). EL – a common name used for deity A generic term which express authority, strength, majesty. (ie: Israel = “Prince of God”; Immanuel = “God with us”)

2). ELOHIM – (EL, mighty one + to swear; to make a covenant with).
Strength (Genesis 1:1 – “In the beginning God (ELOHIM)”; power, keeps promises, creates, governs.
Plural in form, always takes singular verb (unless it refers to heathen
“gods” – 1 Samuel 4:8).
Note: Genesis 1:26; 3:22; Genesis 1 and 2, clear that ONE GOD has all power. Found 2570 times – 30 in Genesis 1; over 200 times in Genesis.

3). EL-ELYON – denotes Israel’s God = Most High God.
Genesis 14:17-20; distinguishes from pagan gods.

4). EL-ROI – denotes God who sees; Genesis 16:13 – Hagar used.
Exodus 3:7 – an example; Lesson: Jeremiah 13:22 – God sees all sin.
Habakkuk 1:13 – of purer eyes than to behold evil. Jeremiah 7:15.

5). EL-SHADDAI – “Almighty” in English bible. To supply, nourish. Esp to the Patriarchs – Genesis 17:1, 8, 15, 22. Genesis 49: 24-25 – no matter what the need, God could meet them. Lesson: Matthew 11:28-30.

6). ADONAI – “Master” or “Lord”. Plural of ADON. Psalms 110:1 – God and refers to Christ, Acts 2:34 f. So, Jehovah speaks to Christ.
Lesson: Today, Christ – Acts 9:5, 20:24; 1 Timothy1:12; Romans 6:16.

7). ROCK – firm nature, steadfast. A safe retreat – Psalms 94:22. Lesson:
the church built on Christ – Matthew 16:18; 1 Corinthians 3:11.

8). FATHER – denotes begetter, sustainer, nourisher, protector.
Genesis 45:8; Deuteronomy 32:6; Isaiah 9:6; 63:16; 64:8. Lesson: Jesus reveals the Father – John 14:7, 9,f.

9). JEHOVAH – “the Existing One” (from YAHWEH). 6,823 times – more than any other. First in Genesis 2:4, combined JEHOVAH and ELOHIM. “To BE” – changeless. Exodus 3:14 – “I AM that I AM”. Self existent, sufficient, Immutable – Malachi 3:6. Lesson: Jesus = I AM. John 8:58; Revelation 1: 4,8,17; 2:8; 21:6; 22:13.
Since Jesus is the “I AM”, we have assurance of our covenant.

Now we will look at compound names of God.

1). JEHOVAH – JIREH = “JEHOVAH will Provide”. Genesis 22:14.
New Testament, John 1:29.

2). JEHOVAH – TSIDKENU = “JEHOVAH our Righteousness”, Jeremiah 33:16. New Testament – 2 Corinthians 5:21; Romans 4.

3). JEHOVAH – SHALOM = “JEHOVAH is our Peace”, Judges 6:24.
New Testament – Ephesians 2:14; John 14:27.

4). JEHOVAH – ROHI = “JEHOVAH is my Shepard”, lead, pasture, Psalms 23. New Testament - 1 Peter 2:25; 5:4; John 10:14-15; Hebrews 13:20.

5). JEHOVAH – SHAMMAH = “JEHOVAH is there”, Ezekiel 48:35;
New Testament – Matthew 1:23; 28:20;

6). JEHOVAH – NISSI = “JEHOVAH is my Banner”, Exodus 17:9-16.
New Testament - theme of Revelation 17:14; 2 Timothy 4:7; 2:3-4;
Ephesians 6:11-17; 1 John 5:4 – Jesus our banner. We cannot fail when we march under His flag.

7). JEHOVAH – ROPHE = “JEHOVAH heals”, Exodus 15:26; Jeremiah
8:21-22. New Testament – Matthew 9:12; Luke 4:18; 1 Peter 2:24.

8). JEHOVAH – KANNA = “JEHOVAH is Jealous” (jealous = intolerant of rivalry). Exodus 20:5; 34:14; Deuteronomy 5:9. New Testament – John 2:17; Titus 2:14; 2 Corinthians 9:2.

9). JEHOVAH – SABAOTH = “JEHOVAH of Hosts” – Psalms 24:10;
Genesis 2:1. New Testament – Romans 9:29; James 5:4; Matthew 28:18.

10). JEHOVAH – M.KADDESH = “JEHOVAH who Sanctifies” – Exodus 13:2; 31:13. New Testament – 1 Peter 1:15; Hebrews 12:14; 2 Peter 1:3-4.

Concl: ALL divine attributes seen in Jesus. John 14:9; Is it any wonder that we should respect His name……Exodus 20:7.

A Bible 'Quiz' based on Socrates Method!

The Socratic (from Socrates) method of teaching is by questions.

Questions:

1). Which church did Jesus promise to build? Matthew 16:18. __________

2). When did Jesus say the kingdom would come? Mark 9:1. __________

3). Was the apostle John, who wrote the book of Revelation, in the kingdom? Revelation 1:9. _____________

4). Was the apostle Paul in the kingdom? Colossians 1:13. ___________

5). Can Jesus be king if he has no kingdom? Revelation 17:14. _________
Note: Those who say the kingdom has not yet come are guilty of teaching Jesus is not a king if He has no kingdom.

6). What did Jesus say one must do to be saved? Mark 16:16. ________
Note: also see previous post – ‘How Does One Become a Christian’?

7). What did the apostle Peter preach on Pentecost that one must do to be saved? Acts 2:47. ____________

8). What did the Lord add the saved to? Acts 2:47. ___________

9). What does Ephesians 5:23 say Jesus is the Savior of? ___________

10). What is the body? Colossians 1:24. ______________

11). Did Jesus have to die for us to be saved? Matthew 26:28. __________

12). If yes…since Jesus purchased His church with His blood (Acts 20:28), can one be saved out of what Jesus purchased with His blood? _________

13). Is faith apart from works dead? James 2:26. ___________

14). Can a man be justified (made right with God) by faith alone? James 2:24.
Note: This being so, why do so many teach that man is saved by faith alone?

15). When did the early church take the Lord’s supper? Acts 20:7. _______

16). What kind of music did the church you read about in the Bible use in worship? Colossians 3:16; Ephesians 5:19. ________________

17). What were local churches called in the Bible? Romans 16:16. _____

It is hoped this short quiz has given you a better understanding of God’s word and His plan for mankind! Do you worship as the Christians of the first century, in Christs’ church, as recorded in the Bible? Or, are you in a ‘church’ started by man which uses creed books, doctrine of men, and teaches contrary to God's word? Bible reading and study make it very easy to tell the difference.

A Fail-proof Solution for Global Warming or Cooling!

[In the bible] Genesis 8:22, God, the creator of the heavens and the earth, in talking to Noah after the flood stated…
”As long as the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, winter and summer, And night and day, Shall not cease.”
New King James

Relying on God to 'manage' His creation costs us nothing monetarily. It does take our faith that we believe He can do what He has promised. However, God is in charge whether we believe Him or not. Lets better spend our time and resources first building our faith in God and then working in areas where we might possibly have an effect. The weather is NOT one of them!!