There is One Church

When you travel around the country, you will notice many churches or as some may refer to them as congregations. You will see churches with the name, Methodist, Catholic, Baptist, Presbyterian, Anglican, Mormon on the building they occupy. Have you ever wondered why there are so many Churches? In one estimate found on a quick internet search there is said to be over 300 denominations! So when thinking about Christianity today, why can we not say, “there is one church“. Perhaps you have never really thought about it. As you think about it, let me ask you a question. Do you think it was always this way and did God intend for there to be many churches and congregations of his followers?

The First Sermon Preached on Pentecost

In Acts 2, when the apostle Peter gave what is known as the first sermon on the day of Pentecost in Jerusalem, there were three thousand souls baptized and added to the church. You can read the full account in Acts 2, but look specifically at Acts 2:41. These souls were the first Christians. Now ask yourself this question. When those who were baptized and added to the church came up out of the water and were asked which church they were a member of? What do you think they would have said? Do you think they would have been puzzled by the question? Sure, they would, why? When those souls were added there was only one church! The church of Christ which we read of in Romans 16:16. There was no Methodist, Baptist, Catholic, Mormon or any other religious body, only one church

Let us read from the Book of Ephesians, “There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.”

Ephesians 4:4-6

There is One Church

Notice what it says, there is “one” body. What does the word, “body” mean in the Bible? It means church.

Let us now look in the Book of Colossians, “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.”

Colossians: 1:18

Notice it says that the body is the church. As we follow this thought pattern, the bible says there is one body and that the body is the church. Therefore, we must conclude that there was only one church when Christ established it. So then why so many churches? Would you be shocked to hear that man created churches for himself with doctrines of their own that are not found in the bible? Well, that is exactly what happened. History is filled with the accounts of denominations forming over time where man built his own church and created his own doctrines which are not approved by God.

One Church

How Can You Identify the One Body?

So how would you go about knowing if the congregation you attend is “the one” church that was started in Acts 2 on the Day of Pentecost? Here are some pointers.

If the Plan of Salvation that is being preached is not consistent with that which is prescribed in the bible, then it is not the one church. That plan should be as follows.

  1. You must hear the Gospel being preached: Romans 10:17, “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”
  2. You must believe what is being preached: 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.”
  3. You must repent of your sins: Luke 13:3, “I tell you, no; unless you repent you will all likewise perish.”
  4. You must confess that Jesus is your savior: Acts 8:37, “Then Phillip said, If you believe with all your heart, you may. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.”
  5. You must be baptized: Mark 16:16, “he who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.”
  6. You must remain faithful: Revelation 2:10, “….Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.”
Water Baptism

The Plan of Salvation is Scriptural

Finally, the above Plan of Salvation is not made up, but is scriptural and biblical. Look at the Book of Acts, here you will see precisely how many in the first century church in the City of Corinth were added to the body.

“Then Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his household. And many of the Corinthians, hearing, believed and were baptized.”

Acts 18:8

In this great example you see the logical pattern that was followed in order to be added to the church. They heard the word being preached, they believed it and then were baptized. This is how you can be added to the one church today.

Friend, you can be a child of God today by being added to the church in the same manner as those who were first added to the church in the first century. Contact us or any local church of Christ in your area and I am sure they will be happy to help you.

You can reach us at Alkire Road Church of Christ in Grove City, Ohio. We would love to meet you and teach you more about God’s word.

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GOD’S PLAN OF SALVATION

YOU MUST HEAR THE TRUE WORD OF GOD

“So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” (Romans 10:17)

YOU MUST BELIEVE THAT JESUS IS THE TRUE SON OF GOD

“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.” (John 8:24)

“But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” (Hebrews 11:6)

“He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.” (Mark 16:16)

Then Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.” And he answered and said, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.” (Acts 8:37)

YOU MUST REPENT OF YOUR SINS

I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish. (Luke 13:3)

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.” (Acts 2:38)

“Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent, 31 because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead.” (Acts 17:30-31)

“The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9)

YOU MUST CONFESS YOUR FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST

“You must, confess that Jesus is Lord. He is Lord whether you confess it or not, but it is unto your salvation that you must acknowledge His deity and His ownership” (Romans 10:9-10).

“Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 10:32-33)

Then Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.” And he answered and said, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.” (Acts 8:37)

YOU MUST BE BAPTIZED BY IMMERSION

“Be baptized for the remission of sins, ‘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.'” (Acts 2:38)

“He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.” (Mark 16:16)

“And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.” (Acts 22:16)

“For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.” (Galations 3:27)

YOU MUST LIVE A FAITHFUL LIFE UNTO DEATH

“Live a faithful Christian life in the fellowship of God’s people “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 15:58) “But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.” (1 John 1:7)

If you have any questions about the plan of salvation or your own state, contact us at the address, phone number of email below and we will be happy ot talk to you.

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