When the question is asked, "What is the church?", many would respond by saying, "Which church are you talking about?" We realize there does exist hundreds of different religious groups in this world. Many of which claiming to have some attachment to the church of the Bible. When we speak of the church, we have reference to the church that one can read about in the Bible.

BUILDER IS CHRIST

Christ is the builder of the church that you read about in the Bible. In Matthew 16:18, Christ declared, "Upon this rock, I will build my church." The church belongs to Christ. He is the foundation upon which it is built (1 Corinthians 3:11). Dear reader, did Christ build the church of which you are a member? Is the church that you are a member of built by man or Christ? You need to be a member of the church built by Christ, His church.

BEGINNING OF THE CHURCH WAS IN JERUSALEM

The church that you read about in the Bible began in the city of Jerusalem, on the day of Pentecost following the ascension of our Lord. This was in fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies (Isaiah 2:1-4; Daniel 2:44; Joel 2). These prophecies were fulfilled in Acts 2. Dear reader, is the church of which you are a member, have its beginning in Jerusalem as recorded in Acts 2? If not, then you are not a member of the church that you read about in the Bible.

BIBLE BASED

The church that you read about in the Bible is Bible based. The Word of God is the pattern that is to be followed in all things (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 1 Thessalonians 5:21). Everything that the church does must be based upon what God has said in His Word. When it comes to the (1) Way of salvation (John 14:6; John 8:24; Luke 13:3; Matthew 10:32-33; Mark 16:16); (2) Worship (John 4:24; Acts 2:42; Ephesians 5:19; Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 16:1-2; 2 Timothy 4:2-4), (3) Work of the church (Matthew 28:18-20; Galatians 6:2, 10; James 1:27; 2 Timothy 4:2-4), (4) Way of life for the members of the church (Titus 2:11-12; Galatians 5:19-23; 1 John 2:15-17; Colossians 3:1-3; Matthew 6:33), the Bible has the only answer and it must be followed completely. Dear reader, is the church of which you are a member has the Bible as its only guide and standard of authority

BOUND FOR HEAVEN

The church that you read about in the Bible is the body of Christ (Colossians 1:18; Ephesians 4:4), bride of Christ (Romans 7:1-4; Revelation 19:7-8), family of God (Galatians 3:26-28), kingdom (Colossians 1:13) and the saved (Acts 2:47). Dear reader, don't you want to be a member of the church that you can read about in the Bible, because it is Heaven-Bound (Ephesians 5:23-26; Matthew 7:21-23).

by Jerry W. Joseph

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