THE CHURCH

In 1 Tim. 3:15, the apostle Paul wrote, “...but if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how men ought to behave themselves in the house of God which is the church of the Living God, the pillar and the ground of the truth.”

Jesus was well into His ministry when He told His disciples that He had come to this earth to build the church and to give Himself up for it (Matt. 16:16-28). He had left His home in heaven to give His life for the church “..which He purchased with His own blood” (Acts 20:28). The church is made up of those who have been redeemed by the blood of Christ. Those who have been cleansed from sin by His blood will continue to be so, as long as they live faithful lives to Him. They are instructed to assemble together for worship and service to God (1 Cor. 11:18-34; 1 Cor. 16:1-2; Acts 20:7). One cannot read the New Testament without coming to realize how important the church is. Consider what is written in Eph. 1:20-23, “...which He (God) wrought in Christ, when he raised Him from the dead, and made Him to sit at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule, and authority, and power, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world but also in that which is to come; and put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the CHURCH, which is His body, the fullness of Him that filleth all in all.” What a wonderful statement this is, as the apostle Paul brings to light the glorious relationship we have with Christ in the church (Eph. 3:14-21). But don’t stop here, read on the rest of Ephesians and see how you can “Finally, be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of His might” (Eph. 6:10). Are you a faithful member of the Lord’s church? Have you been baptized for the forgiveness of your sins (Acts 2:38-47)? Are you living faithfully in His church? “Awake, thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall shine upon thee” (Eph. 5:14).

Love you, David V. Fultz