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There is only one church defined in the bible
nowhere is it defined by man
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There is definitely a lot of confusion in the religious world today so
it is important to understand what the church is.
When we are asked "what church do you belong to" we usually are constrained to answer "the church of Christ".
While this may be true, it does not totally answer the question.
The answer this person hears is "I belong to one of the 200+ churches in America".
The bible teaches there is only one church, not 200+. So the question becomes:
Is it the local church of Christ that meets at Lassen Street in North Hills? No
Is it a denomination or group that meets in a building down the street? No
Is it a spiritual church Jesus said in
Matthew 16:18
Matthew 16:18
And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church,
and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.
Click on the scripture to see it from the bible
he would build
and was established in
Acts Chapter 2?
Acts Chapter 2
The text of the whole chapter is a lot to show on this drop down
Therefore you can click here to see the text from the bible
Yes
This is the church described in the bible; it is a spiritual church.
If we meet as an earthly church, whatever we name it, and are not a member of this
church we are not a part of the church Jesus built.
How do we become a member of this church?
Peter answers this question in
Acts 2:38
Acts 2:38
Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the
remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Click on the scripture to see it from the bible
Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ
for the remission of sins.
God adds us to this church when we are saved.
Acts 2:47
Acts 2:47
...And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.
Click on the scripture to see it from the bible
the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.
For more information, three web pages from this web site are available here
Click on the one you want to view
Jesus is coming for His Church
What Church Do You Belong To?
The Church Where The Members Are Saved
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Jesus is coming for His church
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Christ is the head of the church
Colossians 1:18
Colossians 1:18
And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.
Click on the scripture to see it from the bible
The church is the body of Christ
Ephesians 1:22-23
Ephesians 1:22-23
22 And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church,
23 which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.
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He nourishes and cherishes the church
Ephesians 5:29-30
Ephesians 5:29-30
29 For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church.
30 For we are members of His body, of His flesh and of His bones.
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Jesus might present to Himself a glorious church
Ephesians 5:25-27
Ephesians 5:25-27
25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her,
26 that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word,
27 that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.
Click on the scripture to see it from the bible
Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her
Ephesians 5:25
Ephesians 5:25
Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her,
Click on the scripture to see it from the bible
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In Him:
‣ our sins are removed
‣ we are buried with Him in baptism
‣ we are raised with Him through faith
‣ we are made alive together with Him
Having:
‣ forgiven you all trespasses
‣ nailed the old law to the cross
‣ triumphed over principalities and powers
Colossians 2:11-15
Colossians 2:11-15
11 In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins
of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ,
12 buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead.
13 And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses,
14 having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us.
And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.
15 Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.
Click on the scripture to see it from the bible
In all things He may have the preeminence
Colossians 1:16-18
Colossians 1:16-18
16 For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible,
whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him.
17 And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.
18 And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.
Click on the scripture to see it from the bible
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There is only one gospel
Galatians 1:6-9
Galatians 1:6-9
6 I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel,
7 which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ.
8 But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed.
9 As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed.
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Jesus is the door to heaven
John 10:9
John 10:9
I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.
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No one comes to the Father except through Jesus
John 14:6
John 14:6
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
Click on the scripture to see it from the bible
Jesus goes to prepare a place with many mansions for you
John 14:1-2
John 14:1-2
1 “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me.
2 In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
Click on the scripture to see it from the bible
Jesus will come again that we might be where he is
Acts 1:9-11
Acts 1:9-11
9 Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight.
10 And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel,
11 who also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven,
will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.”
Click on the scripture to see it from the bible
John 14:3
John 14:3
And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.
Click on the scripture to see it from the bible
Hebrews 9:28
Hebrews 9:28
so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation.
Click on the scripture to see it from the bible
Jesus is with us in the shadow of death
We do not need to fear, God is with us
Psalm 23:1-4
Psalm 23:1-4
1 The Lord is my shepherd;
I shall not want.
2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside the still waters.
3 He restores my soul;
He leads me in the paths of righteousness
For His name’s sake.
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil;
For You are with me;
Click on the scripture to see it from the bible
Jesus writes our name in the book of life
Revelation 13:8
Revelation 13:8
All who dwell on the earth will worship him, whose names have not been written in the Book of Life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.
Click on the scripture to see it from the bible
Revelation 17:8
Revelation 17:8
The beast that you saw was, and is not, and will ascend out of the bottomless pit and go to perdition.
And those who dwell on the earth will marvel, whose names are not written in the Book of Life from the
foundation of the world, when they see the beast that was, and is not, and yet is.
Click on the scripture to see it from the bible
Through Jesus, we have an inheritance reserved in heaven
1 Peter 1:3-5
1 Peter 1:3-5
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us
again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
4 to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you,
5 who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
Click on the scripture to see it from the bible
He will come in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him
He will sit on the throne of His glory
Matthew 25:31
Matthew 25:31
31 “When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory.
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He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left
The sheep are faithful christians, those for who Jesus has prepared a place
The goats are those Jesus has not prepared a place
Matthew 25:32-33
Matthew 25:32-33
32 All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats.
33 And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left.
Click on the scripture to see it from the bible
Those on His right hand - inherit the kingdom prepared for you
Those on His left hand - depart from Me,into the everlasting fire
Matthew 25:34-46
Matthew 25:34-46
34 Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
35 for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in;
36 I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’
37 “Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink?
38 When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You?
39 Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’
40 And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’
41 “Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels:
42 for I was hungry and you gave Me no food; I was thirsty and you gave Me no drink;
43 I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, naked and you did not clothe Me, sick and in prison and you did not visit Me.’
44 “Then they also will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to You?’
45 Then He will answer them, saying, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’
46 And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”
Click on the scripture to see it from the bible
Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father
1 Corinthians 15:24
1 Corinthians 15:24
Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power.
Click on the scripture to see it from the bible
This is why Jesus is coming for His church
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What does this mean for us today?
‣ The old covenant has been done away and replaced with the new covenant
‣ Christ is the mediator of the new covenant
‣ Jesus said "I will build my church" and it was established in the book of
Acts Chapter 2, a spiritual church
‣ To be saved, we must become a member in that spiritual church
‣ When we are baptized for the remission of sin we are saved and
God adds us to the spiritual church
‣ We must come to the Father through Jesus
‣ Jesus has gone to prepare a place for us with many mansions
‣ Jesus will come again that we might be where he is
‣ At the end Jesus will be the judge
‣ All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another,
as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats
‣ Those who are with Jesus in the church will be on the right hand
‣ These will be told 'Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom
prepared for you from the foundation of the world'
‣ To inherit the kingdom prepared for us we must be a member of the spiritual church
‣ This spiritual church, we are part of, will be delivered to GOD
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What Church Do You Belong To?
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A better way to answer
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Have you ever been asked "What Church Do You Belong To?"
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Therefore, to answer the question of this page, the church I belong to is a spiritual
church, 'the church'. The confusion here is that I am a saved member of the
'the church' but I assemble, normally at a building, where other (earthly)
members of 'the church' meet to carry out the teaching and commands of God.
This building is not a church, only members of 'the church' who have gathered together at this building (or any location) are a church.
In order to identify these members apart from other religious organizations we normally refer to ourselves as the church of Christ.
This name is chosen from a list of
names
Click here to see this list
found in the bible.
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We must obey the gospel of Christ to be saved and be added by God to 'the church'
as they were saved and added by God to 'the church' in Acts, chapter 2.
What is the gospel of Christ?
It is a summary of scriptures preached by the apostles and others that provides information to supplement Acts 2:38.
Hear the gospel
Romans 1:16
Romans 1:16
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes,
for the Jew first and also for the Greek.
Click on the scripture to see it from the bible
Romans 10:17
Romans 10:17
So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Click on the scripture to see it from the bible
Believe Jesus to be the Christ
John 8:24
John 8:24
Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins.”
Click on the scripture to see it from the bible
Repent of sins
Acts 17:30
Acts 17:30
Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent,
Click on the scripture to see it from the bible
Confess Jesus as Lord
Romans 10:9-10
Romans 10:9-10
9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised
Him from the dead, you will be saved.
10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
Click on the scripture to see it from the bible
Be baptized for the remission of sins
Acts 2:38
Acts 2:38
Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the
remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Click on the scripture to see it from the bible
Mark 16:16
Mark 16:16
He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.
Click on the scripture to see it from the bible
1 Peter 3:21
1 Peter 3:21
There is also an antitype which now saves us—baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh,
but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,
Click on the scripture to see it from the bible
Live faithfully the rest of your life while on this earth
Galatians 2:20
Galatians 2:20
I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which
I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.
Click on the scripture to see it from the bible
To be recognized by God and Jesus as part of 'the church'
‣ members of religious organizations who meet in a building and consider
themselves to be a church, must be, and must teach their members how to
become, a member of 'the church'.
‣ they must use one of the
names
Click here to see this list
found in the bible to name "their church"
Jesus said 'the church' is also called the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 16:18-19
Matthew 16:18-19
18 And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.
19 And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven,
and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”
Click on the scripture to see it from the bible
This is the kingdom He will deliver to God at the end.
1 Corinthians 15:24
1 Corinthians 15:24
Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power.
Click on the scripture to see it from the bible
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The Church Where The Members Are Saved
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The question is sometimes asked "do members of the church of Christ believe they are the only ones going to heaven?"
The answer depends on what the person asking means by, the church of Christ.
This is a misunderstood, and can be a misleading, question. The answer is sometimes YES, sometimes NO and sometimes MAYBE.
First a definition: the Greek word translated “church” in the New Testament is ekklesia.
A literal translation of ekklesia would be “a called-out assembly.”
It is important to keep this definition in mind as you continue.
To understand what the church is, we need to go to the scriptures.
The church is a part of God's eternal purpose.
Ephesians 3:9-10
Ephesians 3:9-10
9 and to make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages
has been hidden in God who created all things through Jesus Christ;
10 to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the
principalities and powers in the heavenly places,
Click on the scripture to see it from the bible
Jesus said "I will build my church".
Matthew 16:18
Matthew 16:18
And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church,
and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.
Click on the scripture to see it from the bible
He purchased it with His own blood.
Acts 20:28
Acts 20:28
Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers,
to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.
Click on the scripture to see it from the bible
To use less words on this web page, the church that Jesus built is referred to as 'the church'
The question here is "what church did Jesus build"?
Is it the local church of Christ that meets at Lassen Street in North Hills? No.
Is it a denomination or group that meets in a building down the street? No.
If neither of these are the church, what is it then, and when was it built?
To answer this question, we first go to the book of Acts.
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In Acts chapter 1, After His crucifixion and before His ascension, Jesus promised they would receive power when the Holy Spirit comes.
Acts 1:8
Acts 1:8
8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to
Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
Click on the scripture to see it from the bible
In Acts chapter 2, As Jesus promised, on the Day of Pentecost the Holy Spirit came to them.
Acts 2:1-4
Acts 2:1-4
2 When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting.
3 Then there appeared to them tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them.
4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
Click on the scripture to see it from the bible
The disciples were gathered together and Peter preached a sermon telling them
that Jesus, whom they crucified, is both Lord and Christ. Having realized this they were told to repent and be baptized for the remission sins
Acts 2:36-39
Acts 2:36-39
36 “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.”
37 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?”
38 Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ
for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
39 For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.”
Click on the scripture to see it from the bible
Many were baptized; and that day about 3,000 souls were added to them
Acts 2:41
Acts 2:41
Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them.
Click on the scripture to see it from the bible
The Lord added to 'the church' daily those who were being saved
Acts 2:47
Acts 2:47
.... And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.
Click on the scripture to see it from the bible
Acts chapter 2 tells us 'the church' has been built and disciples who were saved by repentance and baptism were added to it.
Also, we can see in
Acts 5:11
Acts 5:11
So great fear came upon all the church and upon all who heard these things.
Click on the scripture to see it from the bible
and
Colossians 1:13
Colossians 1:131
He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love,
Click on the scripture to see it from the bible
'the church' had already been built.
Those in 'the church' are those who are saved.
Ephesians 5:25-27
Ephesians 5:25-27
25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her,
26 that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word,
27 that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing,
but that she should be holy and without blemish.
Click on the scripture to see it from the bible
Only members of 'the church' are registered in heaven.
Hebrews 12:23
Hebrews 12:23
to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are registered in heaven, to God the Judge
of all, to the spirits of just men made perfect,
Click on the scripture to see it from the bible
Paul says there is only one body
Ephesians 4:4
Ephesians 4:4
There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling;
Click on the scripture to see it from the bible
and Jesus is the head of that body, 'the church'
Ephesians 1:22-23
Ephesians 1:22-23
22 And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church,
23 which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.
Click on the scripture to see it from the bible
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Only that one body belongs to Christ and only the body of Christ will be saved.
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The church is defined two different ways:
1) Spiritual: 'the church' - Jesus shed His blood on the cross for this church and
the Lord adds those who have been saved to this church.
2) Earthly: a place, normally a building, where members of the 'the church' meet
to carry out the commands of God. We normally call this the
church of Christ.
How do we become a member (saved) of 'the church'?
We must obey the gospel of Christ to be saved and be added by God to 'the church'
as they were saved and added by God to 'the church' in Acts chapter 2.
What is the gospel of Christ?
Hear the gospel
Romans 1:16
Romans 1:16
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes,
for the Jew first and also for the Greek.
Click on the scripture to see it from the bible
Romans 10:17
Romans 10:17
So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Click on the scripture to see it from the bible
Believe Jesus to be the Christ
John 8:24
John 8:24
Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins.”
Click on the scripture to see it from the bible
Repent of sins
Acts 17:30
Acts 17:30
Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent,
Click on the scripture to see it from the bible
Confess Jesus as Lord
Romans 10:9-10
Romans 10:9-10
9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised
Him from the dead, you will be saved.
10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
Click on the scripture to see it from the bible
Be baptized for the remission of sins
Acts 2:38
Acts 2:38
Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the
remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Click on the scripture to see it from the bible
Mark 16:16
Mark 16:16
He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.
Click on the scripture to see it from the bible
1 Peter 3:21
1 Peter 3:21
There is also an antitype which now saves us—baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh,
but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,
Click on the scripture to see it from the bible
Live faithfully the rest of your life while on this earth
Galatians 2:20
Galatians 2:20
I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which
I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.
Click on the scripture to see it from the bible
If an earthly church does not teach this way for a person to be saved, it will not be part of
'the church' Jesus built.
Will members of the earthly church of Christ at Lassen Street go to heaven just because they are members
of the church of Christ at Lassen Street. No, absolutely not.
Will members of the earthly church of Christ at Lassen Street who have obeyed the gospel of Christ
go to heaven. Yes, this makes them a member (saved) of 'the church'.
This is true for all earthly churches everywhere.
What is the answer to the question?
If the question means, the church of Christ whose members meet in an earthly building called the church of Christ,
the answer is MAYBE. No member of the church of Christ on earth will go to heaven unless
they have been added to 'the church'.
If the question means, 'the church' spoken of by Peter, in Acts 2, where almost 3,000 were baptized, and added to 'the church' at Pentecost, the answer is YES.
If the question means, does the bible teach there is only one church, i.e., 'the church', and is the only church going to heaven,
the answer is YES.
If you are a member of any or no earthly church and have obeyed the gospel as defined above, you have become a member of 'the church'.
Acts 2:47
Acts 2:47
... the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.
Click on the scripture to see it from the bible
However, the answer to the question now is MAYBE.
As defined above, "you must live faithfully the rest of your life while on this earth".
This means you must follow the teaching and commandments of God as written in the new testament.
If you do not, God will no longer consider you a member of 'the church' and you will not go to heaven.
Matthew 7:21-23
Matthew 7:21-23
21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.
22 Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name,
and done many wonders in Your name?’
23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’
Click on the scripture to see it from the bible
Luke 6:46
Luke 6:46
“But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say?"
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John 14:15
John 14:15
“If you love Me, keep My commandments".
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‣ All who are in 'the church' will go to heaven.
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Summary
As noted in the definition at the top of this page, a church is only people, “a called-out assembly.”
No one will go to heaven who is not a member of 'the church', the church that Jesus built.
Obedience to the gospel of Christ will result in earthly church members being added by God to 'the church'.
They will have been saved and will go to heaven.
The New Testament never uses the word church to indicate a place like a location, room or building.
The church is people, members of 'the church', who meet in a certain location, room or building.
Therefore, the building at Lassen Street can never be called a church. It is simply a building where earthly
members of 'the church' meet together.
The New Testament uses multiple
NAMES
to identify members of 'the church'.
When God's word uses many different terms, we must use one of them to identify the church on earth.
If it uses any other name, it is a name not supported by the scriptures.
From the list of names, the members at Lassen street have chosen to use the name "church of Christ" to identify its earthly members.
'The church' is also identified as the Kingdom of Christ
and will be turned over to God at the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father.
This will include all who are saved and are in 'the church' that Jesus built.
Matthew 16:18-19
Matthew 16:18-19
18 And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.
19 And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven,
and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”
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1 Corinthians 15:24
1 Corinthians 15:24
Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power in heaven.”
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The scriptures teach us that we need to search the scriptures to see if that which
we practice is true. It is necessary to understand that which we believe and practice.
Acts 17:11
Acts 17:11
These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness,
and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.
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1 Timothy 4:16
1 Timothy 4:16
Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.
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The information on this page is not meant for us to judge anyone. We only point out that to be acceptable and pleasing to God, we must follow
the teaching and commandments of God as written in the new testament.
It is necessary for all people everywhere to understand that only members of 'the church', the church Jesus built, will go to heaven.
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