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Bible Will I Find: The Description Of The Church Of Christ? By: Gary Colley
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Bible Will I Find: The Description Of The Church Of Christ? By: Gary Colley
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All men should be interested in this question and should be willing to search honestly for the answer. Too many have been so long in a denominational mind-set that they come to the Bible with glasses colored with error. Their clouded mind-set will not allow them to see clearly the New Testament church! The term "church" itself means THECALLED OUT (Matthew 16:18). The Greek word Ekklesia (from "ek" = out of, and "klesia" = a calling) describes its membership as being composed of those called out of "darkness into his marvelous light" (I Peter 2:9,
Colossians 1:13). The church is made up of A PECULIAR PEOPLE,GOD'S OWN CHOSEN PEOPLE (I Peter 2:9-10). These are destined in love to be conformed to the image of the Son of God, Jesus Christ(Romans 8:29). God has been pleased to reconcile these Himself by the cross (Colossians 1:20). They are described as A CHOSEN RACE,CALLED AND CHOSEN BY OUR RESPONSE TO THE GOSPEL (I Peter 2:9, II Thessalonians 2:14, II Timothy 1:9). The church exists to show forth God's praises (I Peter 2:9). The church is charged with making known the eternal purpose of God (Ephesians 3:10-11). THE CHURCH OF CHRIST IS A ROYAL PRIESTHOOD (I Peter 2:5, I Peter 2:9). The church offers spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ (I Peter 2:5). The church offers to Christ its faith, praise, and living sacrifice (Phillipians 2:7, Hebrews 13:15, Romans 12:1-2). THE CHURCH IS A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR GOD'S OWN POSSESSION (I Peter 2:9). The church is to renounce all ungodliness and worldly lust, and live soberly, righteously, and Godly in this present world (Titus 2:11-12). THE CHURCH IS THE FAMILY OF GOD (Ephesians 3:15). The church is bound together in love (I John 5:1-2, John 13:34-35). The church is to assemble together each Lord's day and commune around the Lord's table in memory of Him who loved us and gave Himself for us (Acts 20:7, I Corinthians 10:16, I Corinthians 11:26). THE CHURCH OF CHRIST IS
GOD'S INSTITUTION, THROUGH WHICH HE WORKS IN SPREADING THE GOSPEL TO THE WORLD (Matthew 28:18-20). Through the church, Jesus is held forth by teaching and preaching the Truth as the light in the world of darkness (John 8:12-20). The church of Christ is the only institution charged with holding forth the Word of life (Philippians 2:16, John 6:44-45). God wants the church to be a beacon of light to men, so they may glorify the Father in heaven
(Matthew 5:16).