WHILE WE MUST
personally accept the Salvation that God, The Father offer is Christ Jesus, once we become Christians, we are no longer alone! As members of Christ's body, the church.....
Ephesians 1:22-23 "And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, Which is his body, the fullness of him that filleth all in all"
----- meaning we now have a collective identity, as well as an individual identity. Just as we were once "IN ADAM", condemned to death, we are now, "IN CHRIST," .sharing His life-----
1 Corinthians 15:22-23 "For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. But every man in his own order: Christ the first fruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming."
Note: "..all shall be made alive..." or resurrected. However. ".....every man... "... IN HIS OWN ORDER.."
There are two Resurrections, the FIRST at Christ's return, then the SECOND 1,000 years later, for all the wicked. -----
Revelation 20:4-5 "And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection." [Revelation 20:6-10]
As member's of Christ's Church... see Ephesians 1:22-23 above, we now have an important role to play, to share Christ's love with all humanity! WHY?
God has always had a people whom He called and set apart from the rebellious world. In old times the community of God's people were the descendants of Israel, and it was through them that His grace was manifested------
Acts 7:38-39 "This is he, that was in the church in the wilderness with the angel which spake to him in the mount Sinai, and with our fathers: who received the lively oracles to give unto us: To whom our fathers would not obey, but thrust him from them, and in their hearts turned back again into Egypt,"
In the New Testament times the church fulfilled this purpose. Th3e church is a community, a family, a fraternity, Its Head is Christ, and its members are men and women who have accepted Jesus as their Personal Savior and Lord.-----
Acts 2:47 "Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved"
Ephesians 2:18-22 "For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit".
As member's of Christ's Church... see Ephesians 1:22-23 above, we now have an important role to play, to share Christ's love with all humanity! WHY?
God has always had a people whom He called and set apart from the rebellious world. In old times the community of God's people were the descendants of Israel, and it was through them that His grace was manifested------
Acts 7:38-39 "This is he, that was in the church in the wilderness with the angel which spake to him in the mount Sinai, and with our fathers: who received the lively oracles to give unto us: To whom our fathers would not obey, but thrust him from them, and in their hearts turned back again into Egypt,"
In the New Testament times the church fulfilled this purpose. Th3e church is a community, a family, a fraternity, Its Head is Christ, and its members are men and women who have accepted Jesus as their Personal Savior and Lord.-----
Acts 2:47 "Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved"
Ephesians 2:18-22 "For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit".
THE CHURCH AND SALVATION.
While it's important to be a member of the church, in itself church membership in no guarantee the we belong to God. -----
Note: After all we have ONLY 43,000 (as of Jan.2015) "Christian" denominations on earth)
It is The Father who scrutinizes th4e thoughts and hearts and knows those who are truly His or just going through the motions, because that's what society expects!
Ephesians 3:14-15 "For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,"
T he church then, is universal, that it is as much visible as it is invisible-------
Hebrews 11:18-24 " Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called: Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure. By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come. By faith Jacob, when he was a dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff. By faith Joseph, when he died, made mention of the departing of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones. By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king's commandment. By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter;"
The church of God has many purposes. First it's a community that praises HIM,. It confesses Jesus Christ as Lord of Heaven and earth, our Creator, Sustainer, and Savior. Church members meet together to take in Spiritual Nourishment from the Word, and ONE THE Day HE set forth, the Seventh Day!...-----
NOTE: (jb) Please do not tell self, "I worship Him every day!" Because then you never have a work day! Those who refuse to work should not eat.....2 Thessalonians 3:10 " For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat."
-------sharing with each other, building each other up, "spurring" on one-another towards love and good deeds.. {Hebrews 10:24] The church gathers together to celebrate the Lord's Supper, the memorial of Christ's death on our behalf and the anticipation of His Second Coming. The church exists to serve the world, to go to the ends of the earth with the good News of Salvation in Christ Jesus,j and making disciples of all nations.-----
Matthew 28:18-20 "And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen."
The church's mission is to continue the love, healing,, and the salvation works that began with Jesus on this earth.
AUTHORITY ON THE CHURCH.
Since Christ is the Head of the church, it has a special authority------
John 20:21-22 " Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you. And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost:"
Matthew 16:15-19 "He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. 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. 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. And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven"
Note: Bind and Loosed. Satan does the binding, but Christ does the loosening, of harmful actions and addictions.
It speaks on Christ's behalf, telling the world about His will and challenging all humans beings and reasoning with all concerning "righteousness", self control and the judgement to come-------
.Acts 24:25 "And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee"
NOTE: Dear Reader, I hope and pray for you, that this IS YOUR convenient time!.
While it is true that in ages past church authority was used to commit major injustices, it is equally serious an error to refuse to respects authority altogether. Underlying church authority is the Holy Bible, which God has given to build up the church. We have the example of people like Ananias and Sapphire to warn us against treating lightly anything that pertains to the church and its authority-------
Acts 5:1-10 " But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession, And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles' feet. But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land? Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God. And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things. And the young men arose, wound him up, and carried him out, and buried him. And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in. And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said, Yea, for so much. Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out. Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by her husband."
Therefore, membership in the church is both a great privilege and a solemn responsibility. In the church we see feel at ease3, for there we raise our voices in praise to God; we are warned by His Word; we gain our sense of identity in fellowship with His people; we gather around His table; and we leave to share the good news of salvation with a suffering world. The church offers a banquet to a starving world.
However, because membership in the church of the Living god is of such great value, we should not treat it indifferently. The church isn't a club where we meet for mere friendship. It's the body of Christ Membership implies joyful participation and active support. We are warned against despising the salvation that we once accepted so gladly.-----
Hebrews 6:4-10 " For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame. For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God: But that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned. But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak. For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister." [10:26-31; 12: 15-17].
THE PRIVILEGE OF MEMBERSHIP.
Church membership provides us the joy of fellowship today and the hope of everlasting joy and a glorious tomorrow!
Ephesians 5:22-29 "Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church:"
The CHURCH [all believers in Christ] are the "Bride" of Christ, precious in His sight, His fortress in a rebellious world, the object of His Supreme regard. He is patiently accomplishing His work in His church on earth, because He has an eternal destiny for her,: that her members may dwell with Him throughout eternity..
For further Study: Genesis 12:3 . Matthew 16:13-20; 21:43. John 20:21. Acts 1:8. Romans 8:15-17. 1 Corinthians 12:13-27. Ephesians 1:15; 2: 12. 13: 8-11, 15; 4:11-15.
Thanking Y O U for your time...
Comments? Questions? John at www.servant@frontier.com
More Info? Visit your Seventh day Adventist church any Saturday/Sabbath 9-10 AM..Learn that Jesus is just crazy about you, and He will overlook all your junk, if you only ask HIM for His help!
Other sites: www.AFTV.org www.BLBN.org wwwamazingdiscoveries.org
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