Salvation is in the Church
Most people claim that we do not have to be members of the church to be saved. If they mean a member of some denomination, they are exactly right. But, if they mean the blood-purchased church of the New Testament, they are dead wrong. Membership in Christ's church is essential to salvation.
First, every spiritual blessing is in Christ (Ephesians 1:3). How can one be saved apart from every spiritual blessing?
Second, it is the church that Jesus saved (purchased) with His blood. Church members were bought with blood (Acts 20:28). Surely God did not allow Jesus to die for something that was non-essential. The church is the only thing bought with blood; therefore, those not in this blood-bought church are lost.
Third, Paul said Christ is the Savior of the body, the church (Ephesians 5:23: 1:22-23). He is not the Savior of those outside.
Fourth, Paul argues that we are reconciled (brought back together with God) in the one body (the church) by the cross. In no other relationship is one reconciled to God.
Fifth, the church is that group of people that Jesus is to present to Himself (Ephesians 5:27). If man is saved, he is added to the church, and is in a position to be presented to Jesus as one who belongs to Him.
Sixth, the church is the family of God (1 Timothy 3:15). To say one can be saved outside the church is the same as saying one can be saved without being a member of God's family.
Seventh, if one is not in the kingdom (the church), one is still in the power of darkness. God had delivered the Colossians "from the power of darkness, and has translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son" (Colossians 1:13). This "translation" is another way of saying these had been born again, of water and the spirit (John 3:3-5).
When people today do exactly what people did in New Testament times to become Christians, they are added to the church. Being a member of the church represents one's spiritual covenant relationship with Christ.
Max Patterson
Most people claim that we do not have to be members of the church to be saved. If they mean a member of some denomination, they are exactly right. But, if they mean the blood-purchased church of the New Testament, they are dead wrong. Membership in Christ's church is essential to salvation.
First, every spiritual blessing is in Christ (Ephesians 1:3). How can one be saved apart from every spiritual blessing?
Second, it is the church that Jesus saved (purchased) with His blood. Church members were bought with blood (Acts 20:28). Surely God did not allow Jesus to die for something that was non-essential. The church is the only thing bought with blood; therefore, those not in this blood-bought church are lost.
Third, Paul said Christ is the Savior of the body, the church (Ephesians 5:23: 1:22-23). He is not the Savior of those outside.
Fourth, Paul argues that we are reconciled (brought back together with God) in the one body (the church) by the cross. In no other relationship is one reconciled to God.
Fifth, the church is that group of people that Jesus is to present to Himself (Ephesians 5:27). If man is saved, he is added to the church, and is in a position to be presented to Jesus as one who belongs to Him.
Sixth, the church is the family of God (1 Timothy 3:15). To say one can be saved outside the church is the same as saying one can be saved without being a member of God's family.
Seventh, if one is not in the kingdom (the church), one is still in the power of darkness. God had delivered the Colossians "from the power of darkness, and has translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son" (Colossians 1:13). This "translation" is another way of saying these had been born again, of water and the spirit (John 3:3-5).
When people today do exactly what people did in New Testament times to become Christians, they are added to the church. Being a member of the church represents one's spiritual covenant relationship with Christ.
Max Patterson