CHRIST CHURCH AND MEN'S CHURCHES

Christ built his church (Mathew 16:18). In dying on the cross, He purchased his church with his life's blood (Acts 20:28). God appointed Christ to be head over all things to his church (Ephesians 1:22). He adds all who are saved to his church (Acts 2:47). He is the savior of his church (Ephesians 5:23). Christ built only one church (I Corinthians 12:12,20) His dying prayer was that all his disciples be united in his one church, even as he and the Father are (John 17:20-21). In the early years, all Christians were united as he desired. Paul rebuked certain Christians at Corinth because they were divided and denominating themselves as disciples of Paul, Cephas, Apollos (I Corinthians 1:10).

The present situation in the Christian world, with over a thousand different kinds of churches, stands in stark contrast with the one church of the Lord revealed in Scripture. Anyone can start his own church, but Christ is under no obligation to claim it or bless it. He has his own church that he will bless and take with him to heaven. Christ's church has no human head. It has no earthly headquarters; no human legislative body. It has no man-made creed nor human traditions to obey. It wears no human names.

Consider this: If you had to chose between my church and Christ's church, which would you pick? I did not die for your sins. I have not been resurrected, nor do I have the power to raise you from the dead. I do not have all power in heaven or on earth. I cannot save you, bless you, or reward you. I cannot plead your case before the Father on judgment day. But Christ can. That's why you need to be a member of his church! It would be a terrible mistake to seek salvation in my church.