If you were to ask many people today why they do something you would get a variety of answers such as:
"I've always done it this way," or "My father did it like this."
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Sadly, if you were to ask someone why they are a member of a church you would also get a variety of similar responses. "My dad was" "My friends all go here" "I like the preacher"
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While these reasons are not bad in and of themselves, they aren't sufficient to fulfill 1 Pet 3:15.
We need to be ready to tell others of the blood-bought institution of our Lord. We need to be ready to tell them of the hope of salvation that abides within us.
Scriptural in Foundation
The prophets spoke concerning it's coming. Is 2:2-3; Dan 2:44; Joel 2
John the Baptist preached it as at hand. Matt 3:2 As did Jesus Matt 4:17
Jesus promised to build it. Matt 16:13-18 (Mk 9:1 it would be done during their lives)
Jesus purchased it with His blood.
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"It is finished" Jn 19:30
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Jesus is the foundation. 1 Cor 3:11
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It was built on the Day of Pentecost A.D. 30 Acts 2
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Scriptural in Organization Phil. 1:1
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A plurality of elders in each congregation. Acts 14:23; Qualified men 1 Tim 3:1-7; Tit. 1
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Deacons serving under the eldership 1 Tim 3:8-13
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Christ as the Head Col 1:18
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Scriptural in Motivation
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Motivated by the Biblical purpose- to glorify God (Mt 5:16) through the Biblical means
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Evangelism Lk 19:10; Mk 16:15, 16
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Edification Heb. 3:12, 13; 1 Tim 4:13
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Endearment Jas 1:27; Gal 6:10
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Motivated by the reward of heaven Rev 2:10; Rev 21
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Scriptural in Salvation
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Teaches the true plan of salvation Rom 10:17; Jn 3:16; Lk 13:3; Acts 17:30; Acts 2:38
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The saved are added to the church by God Act 2:47
Conclusion
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The church is a heavenly, spiritual kingdom which is the culmination of all of Christ's redemptive work.
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The church existed in the mind of God before the creation of the world. Eph. 1:4;2 Tim 1:9, 10
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The church consists of all the saved and only the saved. Are you in the Lord's church?