People have many questions about the church of Christ. It is not our intention today to either list or answer all of these questions. However, we do wish to emphasis the importance of the Lord Jesus Christ in relationship to His church. We will do so in this article by briefly studying seven questions and their answers from the Bible.
First, who built the church? Jesus said, "I will build My church" (Matt. 16:18 NKJV). He also referred to the church as the "kingdom" (Matt. 16:19). Metaphorically, Jesus promised to found or establish His church or kingdom. He promised to do so within the lifetimes of some of those who heard His promise (Matt. 16:28). Moreover, they would see the kingdom "present with power" (Mark 9:1). Death itself could not prevent Jesus from fulfilling His promise. Christ resurrected to establish His church, which was present with miraculous power on the Day of Pentecost, in the city of Jerusalem (Acts 2:1ff). Who founded the church of which you are a member?
Second, who adds people to the church? Luke wrote, "And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved" (Acts 2:47). On the Day of Pentecost, in the city of Jerusalem, the apostle Peter preached the gospel of Christ. Peter quoted Joel as saying that "whoever calls on the name of the LORD Shall be saved" (Acts 2:21). After learning of their condemnation, the Jews asked: "Men and brethren, what shall we do?" (Acts 2:37). Peter answered, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins" (Acts 2:38). He continued to preach: "Be saved from this perverse generation" (Acts 2:40). The word "church" (Gk. ekklesia) literally means the "called out." In the Christian sense, people are "called out" of the world of darkness and into His kingdom (Col. 1:13). Luke documented: "Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them" (Acts 2:41). To what were those who obeyed the gospel of Christ added? They were added to "the church" (Acts 2:47). Who added you to the church of which you are a member?
Third, who are members of the church named after? Luke wrote: "And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch" (Acts 11:26). Members of the church are divinely called Christians after the founder Himself. Do you wear the name of Christ or the name of someone else?
Fourth, who purchased the church? In reference to Christ, Luke wrote: "the church of God which He purchased with His own blood" (Acts 20:28). The church is of divine origin. Who died for the church of which you are a member?
Fifth, who is the head of the church? Paul wrote that "Christ is head of the church" (Eph. 5:23) and that "He is the head of the body, the church" (Col. 1:18). Who is the head of the church of which you are a member?
Sixth, who loved the church so much that He gave Himself for her? Paul wrote that "Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her" (Eph. 5:25). Are you a member of the church for which Christ died?
Seventh, who "nourishes and cherishes" the church? Paul wrote that "the Lord" nourishes and cherishes the church (Eph. 5:29). Is the church important to you?
The Lord Jesus Christ is the answer. He wants you to be a member of the church which He built, enlarges, glorifies, purchased, rules, loves, and cherishes.