“Will Only Members of the
church of Christ be
Saved?”
Introduction. This question is one that
we encounter frequently in our interaction with people. It is important
that we are prepared to answer it properly.
Definition of Terms:
“church of Christ.”
- Jesus came to build “His church.” (Matthew 16:18).
- The Holy Spirit condemns division as carnal. (I Corinthians 1:10-17;
3:1-4)
- There is a “church of the firstborn” made up of those who are “registered
in heaven.” Hebrews 12:22-24
“Members.”
(Note: NT often uses “member” of our bodies).
- Christians used to be “strangers and foreigner” but in Christ
become “members of the household of God.” (Ephesians 2:19).
- There are many members - one body. (Romans 12:4,5; I Cor. 12:12-27;
Ephesians 4:25; 5:25-30).
“Be Saved.”
We have already seen that the church is
made up of those “registered in heaven.” (Hebrews 12:23)
- The church is those who are saved. (Acts 2:37-47). [Note:
some early mss. don’t use the word “church” so ASV, NASB omit it - that
conclusion may be subject to debate - conclusion is the same “added to
them” - Who is “them”? Those who had come to Christ, i.e. His church.]
So under these definitions it is accurate to say, yes:
“Only members of the Lord’s church (or church of Christ) Will be Saved.”
But, let’s clearly define as well what that does not mean.
Not simply those who are members of some human denomination that calls
itself “the church of Christ” or “the church of God.”
- The Lord knows those who are his. (II Tim. 2:15-19).
- What the Lord has not established will be uprooted. (Matthew 15:12-14).
- Commandments of men = vain worship. (Matt. 15:8,9).
Not simply those who have obeyed the gospel.
- We must abide in the word. (John 8:31)
- Those who follow Christ in truth are his. (Romans 8:9).
Conclusion. Why be a member of a human denomination?
Why not seek, together with those at this place to be members of nothing
more and nothing less than the Lord’s church? You can do that by obedience
to the gospel.