We encourage you to look up these Scriptures
and not just take our word for it.
Bible Facts You Should Know
According to God's Word, the church is called:
The temple of God (1 Cor. 3:16);
bride of Christ (Eph. 5:22-32);
Body of Christ (Col. 1:18; Eph. 1:22-23);
Kindgdom of God's Son (Col. 1:13);
house of God (1 Tim. 3:15);
church of God (1 Cor. 1:2; Acts 20:28);
church o the firstborn (Heb. 12:23);
churches of Christ (Rom. 16:16).
According the God's Word, the church is:
Built by Jesus Christ (Matt. 16:13-18);
purchased by the blood of Ghrist (Acts 20;28);
built on Jesus Christ as the only foundation (1 Cor. 3:11);
not built on Peter, Paul or any other man (1 Cor. 1:12-13);
made of the saved added by the Lord-one does not join the church (Acts 2:47).
According to God's Word, members of the church are called:
Members of Christ (1 Cor. 12:27, 6:15; Rom. 12:4-5);
believers (Acts 5:14; 2 Cor. 6:15);
saints (Acts 9:13; Rom. 1:7; Phil. 1:1);
children of God (Gal. 3:26-27; 1 John 3:1-2);
Christians (Acts 11:26:28; 1 Pet. 4:16).
According to God's Word, the local congregation should have:
Elders, if qualified, also called bishops or pastors who oversee and feed the flock (1 Tim. 3:17; Titus 1:5-9; 1 Pet. 5:1-4);
deacons, if qualified, who serve the congregation (1 Tim. 3:8-13; Phil. 1:1);
preachers, also called ministers or evangelists, who teach and proclaim God's Word (Eph. 4:11; 1 Tim. 4:13-16; 2 Tim. 4:1-5);
members, who love one another (Phil 2:1-5);
autonomy, self-governing according to God's Word (Jude 3; Gal. 5:1).
According to God's Word, the Lord Jesus Christ:
Loaved the church (Eph. 5:25);
shed His blood for the church (Acts 20:28);
established the church (Matt. 16:18);
added the saved people to the church (Acts 2:47);
is head of the church (Eph. 1:22-23, 5:23);
will save the church (Acts 2:47; Eph. 5:23).
According to God's Word, man did not:
Purpose the church (Eph. 3:10-11);
purchase the church (Acts 20:28; Eph. 5:25);
name its members (Isa. 56:5, 62:2; Acts 11:26);
added people to the church (Acts 2:47; 1 Cor. 12:18):
give the church its doctrine (Gal. 1:8-11; 2 John 9:11).
According to God's Word, to enter the church, one must:
Believe in Jesus Christ (Heb. 11:6; John 8:24; Acts 16:31);
repent of your sins (Luke 13:3; Acts 2:38, 3:19, 17:30);
confess faith in Jesus (Matt. 10:32; Acts 8:37; Rom. 10:10);
be baptized/immersed (Matt. 28:19; Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38, 10:48, 22:16).
According to God's Word, baptism requires:
Much water (John 3:23; Acts 10:47);
going down into the water (Acts 8:36-38);
a burial in water (Rom. 6:3-4; Col. 2:12;
a resurrection (Acts 8:39; Rom. 6:4; Col. 2:12);
a birth (John 3:3-5; Rom. 6:3-6);
a washing (Acts 22:16; Heb. 10:22).
According to God's Word, by baptism:
You are saved from sins (Mark 16:16; 1 Pet. 3:21);
you have remission of sins (Matt. 26:28; Acts 2:38);
sins are washed away by Jesus' blood (Acts 22:16; Rev. 1:5; Heb. 9:22, 10:22; 1 Pet. 3:21);
you enter the church (1 Cor. 12:13; Acts 2:41, 47);
you enter Christ (Gal. 3:26-27; Rom 6:3-4);
you become a child of God (Gal. 3:26-27);
you are born again, a new creature (Rom. 6:3-4; 2 Cor. 5:17);
you walk in newness of life (Rom.6:3-6)
you obey Christ (Mark 16:15-16; Acts 10:48; 2 Thess. 1:7-9).
According to God's Word, the faithful church will:
Worship in Spirit and in truth (John 4:23-24);
meet on the first day of the week (Acts 20:7; Hebrews 10:25);
Pray (James 5:16; Acts 2:42; 1 Tim 2:1-2; 1 Thess 5:17);
Sing, making melody with the heart (Eph 5:19; Col. 3:16);
Take the Lord's Supper on the first day of the week (Acts 2:42, 20:7; Matt. 26:26-30; 1 Cor. 11:20-32);
Give liberally and cheerfull (1 Cor. 16:1-2; 2 Cor.9:6-8).
According to God's Word, in the first century there was:
One family of God (Eph. 3:15; 1 Tim. 3:15);
One kingdom of Christ (Matt. 16:13-19; Col 1:13-14);
One body of Christ (Col 1:18; Eph. 1:22-23; 1 Cor. 12:13; Eph. 4:4)
One bride of Christ (Rom. 7:1-7; Eph. 5:22-32);
One church of Christ (Matt:16:19; Eph 1:22-23, 4:4-6)
According to God's Word, the same church today:
Is guided by the same Word (1 Pet. 1:22-25; 2 Tim. 3:16-17);
Contends for the same faith (Jude 3; Eph 4:5);
Pleads for the unity of all believers (John 17:20-21; Eph. 4:4-6);
Is not a denomination (1 Cor. 1:10-13; Eph. 4:1-6);
Is faithful to Christ (Luke 6:46; Rev. 2:10; Mark 8:38);
Wears the name of Christ (Acts 4:10-12; Rom. 16:16; Acts 11:26, 26:28; 1 Pet. 4:16).
According to God's Word, you can be a member of this church:
By doing what the people did in the first century (Acts 2:36-47);
Without being in any denomination (Acts 2:47; 1 Cor. 1:10-13).
According to God's Word, you should know a child of God:
Can be lost (1 Cor. 9:27, 10:12; Gal. 5:4; Heb. 3:12-19);
Is given a second law of pardon (Acts 8:22; James 5:16);
Is constantly cleansed by the blood of Christ as he/she walks in the light of God's Word (1 Pet. 2:9-10; 1 John 1:5-10)