Which is the TRUE Church of Christ?

• A company of people.
  • men and women, boys and girls.
  • of all ages and generations.
  • from different races, cultures and backgrounds.
  • not restricted to any denomination.
• God the Father chose them.
  • this took place before the foundation of the world. Eph 1:4, Matt 25:34.
  • the reason for the choice lies in God alone. Eph 1:5.
  • an eternal covenant was made. Heb 13:20. 1 Peter 1:20. Rev 13:8, 17:8.
  • and they were destined to be God's sons. Eph 1:5. Rom 8:28-30.
• God the Son died for them.
  • Jesus came to save those whom the Father gave Him. John 6:37,39-40
  • It was these - the church - that He purchased with His blood. Acts 20:28.
  • Christ died as an actual Substitute for an actual people. Eph 5:25.
  • He came to redeem the members of the true church from all iniquity. Tit 2:14.
• God the Holy Spirit works in them
  • He calls them to faith. ( ekklesia = church = the called-out ones)
  • There are many references to calling in Scripture. 1 Cor 1:2, 9, 24, 26. Rom 1:6-7, 2 Tim 1:9, 1 Pet 2:9 etc..
  • To the called God gives faith and the new birth. Acts 11:17, John 3:5-8.
  • He does in them the work of sanctification. 1 Thess 4:7-8, Gal 5:22-25.
  • He leads them safely through this life. Rom 8:9,14.
  • And will raise up their mortal bodies at the resurrection. Rom 8:11.
  • Which is why the Christian life is described as walking 'after' or 'in' the Spirit. Rom 8:1, 4-6. Gal 3:1-5, 5:25.
• This company people is highly privileged.
  • They are God's own people, a new Israel. 2 Cor 6:14-18, 1 Peter 2:9.
  • They are God's household. Gal 6:10. Heb 10:21.
  • His building, Bride, Body. 1 Cor 3:10,16-17, 12:14-27, Eph 5:21-33.
  • Christ's flock. Heb 13:20, Acts 20:28.
  • God is on their side. Rom 8:28-39.
  • They are blessed with ALL spiritual blessings. Eph 1:3.
  • And are bound for glory.' Rev 20:11 - 22:21.
• Some conclusions.
  • the church belongs to no man or group of men. It is God's church ! Acts 20:28, Gal 1:13, 1 Tim 3:15.
  • only He knows exactly who its members are. 2 Tim 2:19
  • only He can add to it. Acts 2:47
  • no human divisions are permissible in the church of God. 1 Cor 12:13, Eph 2:12-14, Rev 5:9-10.
  • there is only one true church. It already possesses a unity. This needs to be maintained, not created. Eph 4:2-3.
• Are you a member of Christ's church??
  • Only saved people are members, Acts 2:47.

  • "If you shall confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and shall believe in your heart that God hath raised him from the dead, you shall be saved....... for whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved ". Romans 10:9,13.