There is no question that our Lord does not want anyone to perish (II Pet. 3:9). Even so, if you read that passage in Peter, you will note that it ended by saying “…but that all should come to repentance.” Was this talking about those who are not Christians?  No, he is talking about all people.

There is not enough space in this bulletin to list all the Biblical references that deal with the need for Christians to repent, but here are a few to read carefully: Rev. 2:5, II Cor. 7:9, Acts 8:22. Seeing that the Bible obviously requires Christians to repent, we can logically conclude that it would be wrong to say that a group of religious people are okay with God just because they call themselves a church.

We cannot consider all religious groups faithful because there is a God-given standard. Without a standard, churches would never need to be rebuked. Everybody can recognize that there are differences between today’s sects. Therefore, these differences mean that someone is wrong or all are wrong. They logically cannot mean that all are right. Because of the God-given standard, we must agree (Gal. 1:6-9; I Cor. 1:10).

As an example of how we must agree, notice what Paul told the church at Corinth. Paul spoke on the subject of giving and mentioned that he was telling them the same thing he taught the other churches of Galatia (I Cor. 16:1). An inspired apostle was not to instruct one church to do something the others were not also expected to do.

If we are adamant about our faith and yet refuse to say that others are wrong, we could be implying that our own group is actually wrong. If we insist that our religious group has the truth and yet still refuse to say others are wrong, we are indicating that we have misunderstood the nature of God’s word.

Nobody can be considered faithful that is not abiding in the doctrine of Christ (II John 9). It may be common to hear the idea, “Let’s agree to disagree” but that is not sanctioned by the Lord. As the head of His church, Jesus demands the church to be the pillar and ground of truth (I Tim. 3:15). Folks might gather to worship God, but their gathering must be right in His sight or else they are gathering for the worse, not the better (I Cor. 11:17-19).

Personally, I have more respect for the denominational church that claims they have the truth and others are wrong than I do for a group that says everyone is okay. To be clear, I am saying that I respect their position – I am not saying they are right with the Lord simply because they took a stand. My point is that we all must be willing to claim we have the truth and be willing to study with those who oppose. However, most groups shy away from controversy by not taking a stand and instead choose to be “politically correct.” Remember, Jesus was crucified because he exposed false teaching (Luke 22:1-2).

This article is not to be construed as permission to hate people or religious groups. There is no room for self-righteous attitudes. We are to love all people just as the Father and the Son did (John 3:16). Exposing error is NOT the same as constructing walls. We are ty identify the walls that already exist whether or not people want to acknowledge them. There is a big difference between having unlawful hate in one’s heart and hating every false way (Psa. 119:104).

It would be wonderful if one church was as good as another. If that were really true though, none of the epistles in the New Testament would have been written. Both warnings and rebukes are necessary to stay true to God’s standard (II Tim. 4:2).

Chuck

This might seem like one of the strangest questions anyone could ask. After all, if a group says they are Christ’s church, then they are His, right? No. I personally do not know of a denomination that does not claim to be a church that belongs to Christ (i.e. Christ’s church). If all churches belong to Christ, then it does not matter which we belong to. But does He accept every church that claims to belong to Him?

Many people been convinced that it does not matter if you attend a Baptist, Pentecostal, Methodist, Presbyterian, Nazarene or any other denominational church. Here is a short list of responses to why people think that all churches are Christ’s church.

1. The name does not matter.

Not so. Read: Acts 20:28; Matt. 16:18; Rom. 16:16

2. What you do in worship does not matter.

Not so. Read: John 4:24; Matt. 15:7-9

3. If some doctrines are not Biblical it is okay.

Not so. Read: Gal. 1:6-9

4. God is more interested in you being sincere.

Not so. Read: Rom. 10:1-3

5. As long as you have love that’s all that matters

Not so. Read: Rev. 2:2-4; I Cor. 13:1-7

6. It would be wrong to say others are wrong.

Not so. Read: I John 4:1; Rom. 16:17

7. Doctrine really does not matter to the Lord.

Not so. Read: II John 9; Rev. 2:15

8. There are many roads that lead to heaven.

Not so. Read: John 14:6; Rom. 1:16

9. No church can be 100% right.

Not so. Read: John 8:32; I Tim. 3:15

10. How one feels is all that matters.

Not so. Read: Matt. 7:21-23; Acts 19:1-5

Finding the church you read about in the Bible requires you to seek in order to find (Matt. 7:7).

                                                                                             Chuck 

Many of the things listed in this article are necessary to be a faithful Christian. After all, those who practice lawlessness will not inherit the kingdom of God (Gal. 5:21). Though we need to do most of the things listed, many people incorrectly believe that doing these things will be enough to ensure their salvation. Here is a list to consider:

1. Always going to church.  Attending a church does not mean one is going to heaven. Even in the Bible, Christians were rebuked even though they kept “going to church” (Rev. 2-3).
    
2. Believing in God.  People can believe in God and Jesus without being faithful to them. If someone believes in Satan, are they automatically a follower of Satan? Of course not! Some believe and are not faithful (James 2:19; John 12:42-43).
    
3. Praying always. It would be wrong to conclude that all prayers offered to God are acceptable (Matt. 6:5-7). The fact that ungodly behavior can hinder prayers does not stop these people from praying anyway (I Pet. 3:7).
    
4. Believing the Bible is God’s word. There are plenty of criminals in this world who know the law was but do not follow it. Accepting the Bible as God’s word is meaningless if we do not read and obey it (James 1:22; II Tim. 2:15).
                                                                   
5. Going along with what the church does. Being devoted to the church is not the same as being devoted to Christ. We are to be converted to Christ (Rom. 6:3-4). The church is not the head – Christ is (Col. 1:18).
    
6. Having a strong desire to go to heaven. Desiring heaven does not mean a person is going to heaven. On the last day, many will be shocked to find out they are lost (Matt. 7:21-23).
    
7. Avoiding evil deeds. Not doing evil deeds is important, but we must also be born again (I Pet. 1:23). One is not a truly new person until they bury the old man (Rom. 6:3-7).
    
8. Being a “basically” good person. We cannot assume that heaven will be our home just because we feel we are not as bad as the “truly” wicked. This mindset forgets that all have sinned and need God’s mercy and grace (Rom. 3:23; Eph. 2:8).
    
9. Believing that God loves them.  There is no question that God loves everyone (John 3:16). This love will not overlook sin though. Heaven will not be their home (II Cor. 5:9-11).
    
10. Being a very religious person. Talking often about spiritual things does not guarantee heaven. Many religious people walk in darkness (Matt. 15:7-9). Dying for what you believe in is meaningless if you do not follow He who died for mankind (John 8:24).
     
11. I tell people to follow the Lord. Telling others to do the right thing does not mean you are also doing right. Many teachers are guilty of hypocrisy (Phil. 1:16; Rom. 2:21-23).
     
12. My grandfather was a member of this church. Having faithful family members does automatically save the whole family. Timothy’s mother and grandmother were faithful, but Timothy needed his own faith (II Tim. 1:5).

                                                                                               Chuck

Let’s take a moment to consider the focus of the preaching delivered around the time Christ entered the world. In Luke 1:31-33, Mary was told by an angel that she would bring forth a son and that He would be known as Jesus. Moreover, she was informed He would reign over His kingdom.

This is why we read about the forerunner of Christ (John the Baptist) preaching that the kingdom was at hand (Matt. 3:2). As Jesus began His ministry, He also spoke about the coming of His kingdom (Matt. 4:17). He taught his followers to pray for this kingdom to come (Matt. 6:10). The Savior also stressed the need for everyone to seek that kingdom (Matt. 6:33). Even on the night of His betrayal, Jesus told His apostles that He would not partake of the Lord’s Supper again until His kingdom arrived (Matt. 26:29).

So much of Christ’s teaching about the coming of the kingdom – what should be taught after the kingdom has arrived? The answers to the above question is obvious. If there was to be great anticipation of the Lord’s kingdom, imagine how much more one would talk about the kingdom when arrived!

Is it here though? Yes! Christ stated in Mark 9:1 that the kingdom was going to come with power during the lifetime of some of those standing there listening to Him speak. Logically, we cannot be waiting for the kingdom as none of those people are still alive on the earth.

There are many scriptures that speak of the kingdom being in existence now. Saints were being translated into the kingdom (Col. 1:13). The apostles were given the key to speak the way one can get into the kingdom (Matt. 18:19; John 16:13). But just when did the kingdom come into existence? Remember that Jesus aid the kingdom would come with power (Mark 9:1). The apostles were told to tarry in Jerusalem until they received that power (Luke 24:49). This power comes when the Holy Spirit comes upon them (Acts 1:8). The Holy Spirit came upon the apostles in Acts 2:1-4.

When the Holy Spirit came, the power came. When the power came, the kingdom came. To be clear, this kingdom is spiritual, not physical. Jesus told Pilate that if His kingdom were of this world, His servants would fight (John 18:36). Pilate realized that Jesus and His followers were not a threat to the Roman government. This spiritual kingdom has come, and we need to become citizens of it today (Eph. 2:19).

To more precisely identify when the kingdom came, we need to see the link between it and the church. When Jesus said He was going to build His church, He connected it with the kingdom (Matt. 16:18-19). The promise to build His church is synonymous with the establishing of His kingdom. The two terms are often used interchangeably in the scriptures. Because Jesus purchased the church with His blood (Acts 20:28), both the church and the kingdom both began after His resurrection. Those who obeyed the gospel were added to the church and the kingdom by the Lord (Acts 2:47; Col. 1:13).

Let us now return to the question posed in the article’s title – can we really over-emphasize the church of our Lord? No! Knowing that the prophets of old, John the Baptist, Jesus and His followers spoke about its coming, why would we not also proclaim that the kingdom (church) has come? If anything, Jesus’ blood-bought church is not discussed and respected enough in today’s pulpits. Remember, Jesus is ruling and reigning (Col. 1:18)! Christ is our king (I Tim. 6:15)! Are you emphasizing the need for people to become members of His church and citizens of His kingdom?

                                                                                               Chuck

Although everything in the first article is scripturally correct, it could leave the wrong impression. One might incorrectly conclude that after a person obeys the gospel and is added to the kingdom of our Lord, that is the end. Truthfully, this could not be any farther from the truth – this is only the beginning.

Paul told Timothy (and the same goes for us today) that we need to know how we ought to conduct ourselves in the church (I Tim. 3:15). The same goes for the kingdom as we are to be workers (Col. 4:11).  In other words, if we do not abide in the teachings of Christ as our King and head, then heaven will not be ours (II John 9).

There is another aspect of the kingdom that we need to see. We must understand the need for faithfulness. Although Christians are in the kingdom today (Col. 1:13), they are not in heaven. The apostle Paul, while telling Timothy that his departure was at hand (II Tim. 4:6), uttered these words: “And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and preserve me for His heavenly kingdom. To Him be the glory forever and ever. Amen!” (verse 18). Was the apostle not already in the kingdom? He was in the kingdom, but his eternal dwelling place was still dependent upon him fighting the good fight, finishing the race and keeping the faith (verses 7-8).

The kingdom is described in spiritual terms, so it makes sense that Christians must remain faithful to inherit the kingdom of our Lord (I Cor. 6:9-10). Being a member of the kingdom today does not guarantee us a place in the kingdom tomorrow – that is dependent on our conduct. Even as we know this to be true, our excitement is not dampened. Being a citizen of the kingdom today puts us in a perfect position to later abide in heaven with Jesus. This is why we need to be zealous in preaching that the kingdom has come and that all need to be faithful (Rev. 2:10).

Those who are part of the God’s spiritual family are enjoying a taste of what heaven will be like. We will be with those of like, precious faith who share a common love of God and are clothed with humility.

                                                                                               Chuck