Joining THE CHURCH - J. C. O'Hair

  

JOINING THE CHURCH

Pastor J. C. O’Hair

Many earnest sincere, conscientious religious people have been saved after having been for years members of some sectarian church-organization.

There are multitudes of zealous church members who have never become new creatures is Christ Jesus. (II Corinthians 5:17).

One of the most heart-searching questions to be considered by them is, “have you experienced I Corinthians 12:13?” Note this verse; “For by one Spirit were we all baptized into one Body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles”?

This is an all-inclusive and all-exclusive message. Put the question to yourself, “have I been baptized into the Body of Christ?”

In religious circles we hear much of “joining the church”, but here we have the all-important” joining of the Church, “which should come before we become identified with some local assembly.

If there is any truth clearly taught in the Bible, so clearly taught that no person should have any excuse for ignorance, it is the fact that, during this age and dispensation of grace, God recognizes one and only one true Bible Church, “the Church which is His Body, the fulness of Him that filleth all in all.” (Ephesians 1:22 and 23).

“There is one Body”. (Ephesians 4:4). No church board or committee of deacons and elders can induct any believer into this Body. “For by one Spirit were we all baptized into one Body.”

So far as the adults of this world are concerned, with respect to salvation, the human race is divided into two groups, “dead sinners” and “living saints.” (I Corinthians 6:11 - Ephesians 2:1 to 10).

Dead sinners may be moral or immoral, religious or irreligious, they may be church-members, Sunday School teachers, or reverends; but unless they have been made “living saints” in God’s way (Ephesians 2:4 to 10 - Ephesians 2:13) they are “dead sinners.” Some of them “twice dead plucked up by the roots.” (Jude 12).

All “living saints” are members of the Body of Christ, such have been added to Christ and His Church by a Divine baptism made without hands. Every living saint should be identified with an assembly of saints of like precious faith. But no person is changed from a “dead sinner” to a “living saint” by joining some church-organization. “Living saints” should behave as becometh saints, but they do not become saints by behaving, but by believing. (Romans 4:4 and 5).

In Ephesians 2:15 to 18 we learn that Christ on the cross made peace and settled the God-ordained difference between the Jews and the Gentiles, those that were nigh and those that were far off. (Ephesians 2:17). “And that He might reconcile both unto God in one Body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby.” (Ephesians 2:16). “That the Gentiles should be joint-heirs, and of the JointBody, and joint-sharers of His promise in Christ by the gospel.” (Ephesians 3:6). “Reconciled to God in one Body.” “Baptized in the Holy Spirit in one Body.” “God gave the increase.” (I Corinthians 3:6).

Christ gave gifts unto men, “For the perfecting of the saints for the work of the ministry, for the building up of the Body of Christ.” (Ephesians 4:12).

Here we see that all saints are expected to have a part in God’s great work, the building-up of the Body of Christ: “In Whom all the Building fitly framed together groweth unto a Holy Temple in the Lord. In Whom ye also are builded together for a Habitation of God through the Spirit.” (Ephesians 2:21 and 22).

“A Holy Temple in the Lord.” This will yet be the glorious spotless Church of Ephesians 5:26 and 27.

If you are saved, you have received Holy Spirit baptism. If you are saved, you are a member of the Joint-Body, “the fulness of Christ,” and with Him one flesh. (Ephesians 5:31 and 32). If you have not received Holy Spirit baptism, you are not saved.

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Posted By Cecil  and Connie Spivey
cspivey1953@gmail.com

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