12 Reasons For Being A Member Of The Church Of Christ
"It Is The Church That Jesus Built"
The first and foremost reason why one should be a member of the church of Christ is because Jesus is its founder. This profound statement of fact was made by Jesus in Matthew 16:13-19. Within a few short statements Jesus revealed several truths about His church that mankind needs to learn and understand. Jesus asked His disciples, "Who do people say that the Son of Man is?" Some thought He was John the Baptist while others thought he was Elijah; but still others believed Him to be Jeremiah, or one of the prophets.
Jesus then asked His disciples, "But who do you say that I am?" Peter responded by saying, "Thou art the Christ the Son of the living God." The term 'Christ' refers to the Messiah, the anointed of God for whom the Jews had long awaited. Of more importance, Peter recognized Jesus' deity by calling Him the Son of God.
Jesus responded to Peter and said, "Blessed are you Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven." Peter, being mere flesh and blood, could not have received this information through any human source. Lenski, in his commentary on Matt 16:17 says, "Actually to realize in the man Jesus the presence of the Christ and Son of God requires more than sinful flesh and blood is able to muster......The Father revealed Jesus to Peter through Jesus Himself, and He endeavors to do this in the case of all men by bringing Jesus into contact with them."
After Peter's good confession, Jesus was now going to reveal something of extreme importance to him saying, "And I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades shall not overpower it." The rock upon which Jesus was going to build His church was not Peter ('Petros'), but upon the solid foundation rock ('Petra'), which was the confession of Peter that, "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God."
There is only "one true church". Jesus said, "I will build My church (singular, my emphasis) and the gates of Hades shall not overpower it." The church of Christ is not a building constructed of materials such as wood, stone or brick. It is composed of all who were being saved, Acts 2:47. That the church is composed of people and not material things is seen in Acts 5:11 where it is said that, "And great fear came upon the whole church"; and in Acts 11:22 which says, "And news about them reached the ears of the church at Jerusalem." These scriptures clearly show that the church of Christ is not a building but is composed of people. Also, the church of Christ is not one of the several hundred Protestant denominations; all of which can trace their beginnings to a point in time after Pentecost when, in Acts 2:14-47, the Lord's church was established.
As we have seen, the church of Christ is a spiritual institution composed of those being saved, Acts 2:47. It is the one true church which was purchased by Christ with His own blood, Acts 20:28. He is the only founder and builder, Matt 16:18. He is the head of the church, Eph 5:23. Jesus is our lawgiver, both Lord and Christ, Acts 2:36. And finally Jesus is the Savior of the body which is His church, Eph 5:23; Eph 1:22,23.
Can you not see that the first and foremost reason for being a member of the church of Christ is that it is the one and only church that Jesus built. - Ray Wilson