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ARE THERE CHRISTIANS IN EVERY CHURCH? Many today defend such a position. As one well-known preacher put it, "There are sincere, knowledgeable, and devout Christians scattered among the different denominations." But, is such an idea as this taught in the word of God? As we search the Bible for the correct answer, there are two questions that must be dealt with. First, how does one become a Christian? Or, what does the lost sinner need to do, if anything, to have his sins forgiven? It's important that we find the correct answer to these questions from the Bible because all who claim to be Christians are not Christians in the sight of God. Jesus dealt with this problem when He plainly asked, "And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?" Lk.6:46. He was just as plain and emphatic when He taught, "Not everyone that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven," Mt.7:21. In light of these two verses one would have to close his eyes to God's truth to fail to see that one must obey the Lord if he is to have his sins forgiven, if he is to become a Christian. It's impossible to become a follower of Christ(Christian)without full, whole-hearted obedience to every command Jesus gives to be obeyed for the remission of sins. What does He require? Hear ye Him! (1) Faith. "If ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins," Jn.8:24. (2) Repentance. "I tell you, Nay:but except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish," Lk.13:3. (3) Confession. "Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I also confess before my Father which is in heaven," Mt.10:32. (4) Baptism. "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved," Mk.16:16. A careful study of the book of Acts confirms the truth that all men who became Christians were told to believe in Christ, repent of sins, confess Christ and be baptized for the remission of sins. Inspired teachers taught this plan of salvation. Regardless of claims otherwise, no one becomes a Christian until he obeys this form of doctrine from the heart, Rom.6:17. The second question to be answered is, "In which church can Christians be found?" Again, the correct answer will be found in the Bible. As we read from Acts 2:47, we are told the Lord adds the saved to the church. Notice, it is the Lord Himself Who adds the saved to the church. Men are not permitted to "join the church of their choice." Notice, too, that the Lord adds the saved to "the church." In the first century there was but one church. All Christians were members of that one church. It included all the apostles, all the inspired writers of the books of the New Testament and all who became Christians by obedience to the gospel of Christ. God's plan includes but one church for the saved, Eph.4:4; Eph.1:22-23. This is the one church which the Lord will save, Eph.5:23.If one is not a faithful member of this church, he will be lost forever! 1 Cor.15:24 - Wendell Watts |