Are There Saved in All Churches?

Are There Saved in All Churches?

1998008

I. Introduction

A. I ran across the following in a bulletin article written by J.R. Bronger who identifies how institutional churches are condoning ecumencialism.

B. Thank you for your interest in this Bible correspondence course. All three lessons are included so you can see the whole course at once.

1. Although this lesson plan is produced by the church of Christ, the church of Christ is certainly not the only worthwhile denomination of believers in Jesus Christ. We recognize there are other church organizations where God's word is faithfully taught. May God bless you as you come to know the person of Jesus Christ, and may you realize that salvation comes through Him and Him alone. Beware of any group that may tell you that their church is the ONLY church. Salvation does not come through doctrinal perfection, but through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, whose spirit lives inside of every believer.

2. Sometimes the doctrinal differences between churches may be confusing, but many of these differences are over very minor issues. Please feel free to ask questions about anything you read in these Bible lessons. We can study and learn together.[i]

C. This is the attitude of many people today. As we have seen - by even those who claim to be members of the Lord's church.

D. Fallen into predominant worldly teaching: There are good people in all churches. Talked to a man on telephone other day: "We are all working for the same Jewish carpenter."

1. Sounds good.

2. Emotions come into play. How could God - a loving merciful God - send all those loving/honest/sincere people to hell?

E. Members of the church teach

1. the Bible teaches that there is one church.

2. We believe that those who are members of the NT church will be saved.[ii]

F. Many eyebrows go up & the popular question is raised:

1. Why do you believe you are the only ones who will be saved?

G. Often this question asked in unbelief: How could anyone believe that?

H. Many people very prejudiced when asking this question. They believe that one church is as good as another…except the church of Christ.

II. It can't be established by Scripture that there are saved people in all churches.

A. If the Bible taught that there were saved in all churches then I do not know a single person who would disbelieve.

B. Please read the following Scriptures.

1. 1 Jhn. 3:24-4:1 - do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are of God.

2. 1 Thess. 5:21-22 - test all things, hold fast to what is good. Note esp. v. 22.

C. What about Jhn. 15:1-8?

1. Popular place that all like to go when defending their case.

2. Many believe Christ teaches here that He is the vine & the various churches are the branches.

3. Go back to Jhn. 13:1-5. Words by Jesus take place during the Passover feast where Christ had last supper with disciples - the Apostles.

a. Told them many troubling things in this passage.

1. v. 21 - one of them would betray Him.

2. V. 33 - He was going to leave them and that He was going to a place where they could not go.

3. V. 38 - Jesus predicts the denial of Christ by Peter.

b. Notice 14:1 - let not your heart be troubled… The following words (from 14:1-16:33) are given to comfort/strengthen/encourage the disciples after His death.

4. Notice 15:8 - so you will be my disciples. Again - directed to the apostles.

a. How can anyone read into context that Christ is condoning the denominationalism of today?

b. The individual disciples of the Lord are the branches.

D. Some have said: the church is a mystical body that includes all churches…all churches make up the body of Christ.

1. NT shows clearly that there is only one church.

a. Eph. 4:4-6 - one body; one church.

b. Eph. 1:22-23 - church already in existence here. How many "churches" does Paul speak of? ONE. Singular.

2. Mt. 16:18 - how many "churches" did Christ build?

3. People became members of the church by obeying the gospel. Those who obey become the body of the saved - the church. See Acts 2:41, 47

E. Questions to Consider…

1. What particular denomination did first century Christians belong to?

a. Answer: there were none so they didn't belong to any.

2. Can one become a Christian w/o being a member of a denomination?

a. Answer: Yes. Look at the First Century church. Then why are denominations necessary?

3. Does the Bible require a Christian to join a denomination?

a. Answer: If so, then which one?

F. We are to be Christians w/o being a member of ANY denomination. The Bible makes Christians and Christians only.

III. People in Denominations have not done what is necessary to be saved.

A. Saved people are the only ones that enter heaven. If one insists saved in all churches then the plan of salvation is different for different people and churches.

B. Who is a saved person?

1. Jhn. 8:24 - one who believes.

2. Acts 17:30 - one who has repented.

3. Mk. 16:16 - one who has confessed Jesus Christ & has been Baptized.

C. This the only way to be saved according to the Scriptures.

1. A saved individual is one…in the body, church, kingdom, etc.

2. What does it mean to be a member of the church?

a. Saved in baptism - Mk. 16:16; 1 Pet. 3:21

b. Added to the church - Acts 2:47

c. Washed in the blood - Rom. 6:3-4

d. Baptized into one body - 1 Cor. 12:13

e. Put on Christ - Gal. 3:26-27

f. We become an heir of God through Christ - Gal. 4:7

3. Not in church? Not saved. Not washed in the blood of Christ? Not in the kingdom.

D. Many have not followed the simple steps of gospel plan - and are not saved.

1. e.g., infants sprinkled as infants. Infant can't believe, repent, confess, and therefore can't be baptized.

2. E.g., some believe saved at point of faith. Then some later baptized but it is only an outward expression of an inward grace.

IV. All churches are not identical to the NT church, and therefore cannot be the NT church.

A. Other churches not built according to NT pattern.

1. No NT name - Acts 11:26; Rom. 16:16

2. Foundation not in Christ - but in man - 1 Cor. 3:11; Mt. 16:18

3. Not based on law of God - but on creeds - 1 Cor. 14:37; 2 Tim. 3:16-17

4. Membership not according to scripture - Acts 2:38; Gal. 3:26-27

5. Not organized according to NT - Acts 14:23; Phil. 1:1; Eph. 4:11

6. Worship not scriptural - Acts 2:42; Eph. 5:19; Acts 20:7

7. Lack scriptural discipline - Mt. 18:17; 1 Cor. 5:4; Rev. 2:14-16

B. To be a NT church we must be identical to the one we find in NT!

C. Churches that differ have NOT followed the pattern.

1. Religious history shows that denominations & other religious organizations resulted from corruption & deceit in Catholic church.

2. Going against the pattern started way back in FC.

a. Acts 20:29-30 - Paul warned of this to Ephesian elders.

b. Continues to this day.

3. So much corruption today that error taught on every doctrine & principle taught in the NT.

4. ALL denominations in our time would be abolished if people would get back to teaching & practice of the NT.

V. All denominations contradict one another.

A. Would make God author of confusion.

1. Mean that God saves people who believe & practice different doctrines. See 1 Cor. 14:33 - God is not the author of confusion.

a. Would you not agree that religious world confusing today?

2. Catholics state Peter first Pope. Quoted as saying: "Any church that doesn't recognize Peter as its foundation stone is not the church of Christ."

a. All other churches deny this.

3. Does God teach both? Does He accept both? Would God lie? Either Peter was first pope or he was not. Bible doesn't teach so…

B. Different doctrines are what make up various denominations.

1. Who can deny that church contradict one another?

a. Methodists: sprinkling = baptism. Baptists deny.

b. Jehovah's Witnesses: no hell. Presbyterians affirm there is one.

C. Are all churches as good as one another?

1. Go to dealership to by truck. Salesman: $15,000. Manager: $10,000. Ask owner & what if he said; Just pay the price of your choice…because one price is as good as another.

2. How long would that dealership stay in business? If this won't work in business world - how can it work in religious world?

3. Present denominational world? If you like drinking, homosexuality, a host of other things…just join the church of your choice.

D. Want to please God? Follow His doctrine. 2 Jhn. 9; Mt. 15:9

VI. This teaching sanctions division.

A. Division condemned in the NT.

1. 1 Cor. 12:25 - no schism in the body.

2. 1 Cor. 1:10-13 - Christ not divided.

3. Jhn. 17:20-21 - goes against the words of Christ.

4. Rom. 16:17 - Avoid those who divide themselves away from the Lord.

B. All separate & distinct bodies clearly, strongly, condemned in the NT.

1. Entire denominational system based upon perversions in Word of God that lead to division.

2. Jude 3; 1 Tim. 6:12; 1 Tim. 1:18; Tit. 1:13-14 - Christians to oppose division & earnestly contend for purity of faith.

a. Christians set for defense of the Gospel - Phil. 1:17

b. Teach people to become Christians & Christians only.

VII. Conclusion.

A. Five reasons why there are not saved in all churches.

1. Go over overhead.

B. Anytime one obeys the gospel, he becomes EXACTLY what the people were in the NT.

1. A saved individual.

2. A Christian

3. Member of the church of Christ.

C. Must then work and worship with other Christians under the authority of God's word.

1. To do something other than this is to cause division (denominationalism) One can't be pleasing to God.

2. Are you a member of the Lord's church?

D. I N V I T A T I O N



Are There Saved in All Churches? 1998008 I. Introduction A. I ran across the following in a bulletin article written by J.R. Bronger who identifies how institutional churches are condoning ecumencialism. B. Thank you for your interest in this Bible correspondence course. All three lessons are included so you can see the whole course at once. 1. Although this lesson plan is produced by the church of Christ, the church of Christ is certainly not the only worthwhile denomination of believers in Jesus Christ. We recognize there are other church organizations where God's word is faithfully taught. May God bless you as you come to know the person of Jesus Christ, and may you realize that salvation comes through Him and Him alone. Beware of any group that may tell you that their church is the ONLY church. Salvation does not come through doctrinal perfection, but through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, whose spirit lives inside of every believer. 2. Sometimes the doctrinal differences between churches may be confusing, but many of these differences are over very minor issues. Please feel free to ask questions about anything you read in these Bible lessons. We can study and learn together.[i] C. This is the attitude of many people today. As we have seen - by even those who claim to be members of the Lord's church. D. Fallen into predominant worldly teaching: There are good people in all churches. Talked to a man on telephone other day: "We are all working for the same Jewish carpenter." 1. Sounds good. 2. Emotions come into play. How could God - a loving merciful God - send all those loving/honest/sincere people to hell? E. Members of the church teach 1. the Bible teaches that there is one church. 2. We believe that those who are members of the NT church will be saved.[ii] F. Many eyebrows go up & the popular question is raised: 1. Why do you believe you are the only ones who will be saved? G. Often this question asked in unbelief: How could anyone believe that? H. Many people very prejudiced when asking this question. They believe that one church is as good as another…except the church of Christ. II. It can't be established by Scripture that there are saved people in all churches. A. If the Bible taught that there were saved in all churches then I do not know a single person who would disbelieve. B. Please read the following Scriptures. 1. 1 Jhn. 3:24-4:1 - do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are of God. 2. 1 Thess. 5:21-22 - test all things, hold fast to what is good. Note esp. v. 22. C. What about Jhn. 15:1-8? 1. Popular place that all like to go when defending their case. 2. Many believe Christ teaches here that He is the vine & the various churches are the branches. 3. Go back to Jhn. 13:1-5. Words by Jesus take place during the Passover feast where Christ had last supper with disciples - the Apostles. a. Told them many troubling things in this passage. 1. v. 21 - one of them would betray Him. 2. V. 33 - He was going to leave them and that He was going to a place where they could not go. 3. V. 38 - Jesus predicts the denial of Christ by Peter. b. Notice 14:1 - let not your heart be troubled… The following words (from 14:1-16:33) are given to comfort/strengthen/encourage the disciples after His death. 4. Notice 15:8 - so you will be my disciples. Again - directed to the apostles. a. How can anyone read into context that Christ is condoning the denominationalism of today? b. The individual disciples of the Lord are the branches. D. Some have said: the church is a mystical body that includes all churches…all churches make up the body of Christ. 1. NT shows clearly that there is only one church. a. Eph. 4:4-6 - one body; one church. b. Eph. 1:22-23 - church already in existence here. How many "churches" does Paul speak of? ONE. Singular. 2. Mt. 16:18 - how many "churches" did Christ build? 3. People became members of the church by obeying the gospel. Those who obey become the body of the saved - the church. See Acts 2:41, 47 E. Questions to Consider… 1. What particular denomination did first century Christians belong to? a. Answer: there were none so they didn't belong to any. 2. Can one become a Christian w/o being a member of a denomination? a. Answer: Yes. Look at the First Century church. Then why are denominations necessary? 3. Does the Bible require a Christian to join a denomination? a. Answer: If so, then which one? F. We are to be Christians w/o being a member of ANY denomination. The Bible makes Christians and Christians only. III. People in Denominations have not done what is necessary to be saved. A. Saved people are the only ones that enter heaven. If one insists saved in all churches then the plan of salvation is different for different people and churches. B. Who is a saved person? 1. Jhn. 8:24 - one who believes. 2. Acts 17:30 - one who has repented. 3. Mk. 16:16 - one who has confessed Jesus Christ & has been Baptized. C. This the only way to be saved according to the Scriptures. 1. A saved individual is one…in the body, church, kingdom, etc. 2. What does it mean to be a member of the church? a. Saved in baptism - Mk. 16:16; 1 Pet. 3:21 b. Added to the church - Acts 2:47 c. Washed in the blood - Rom. 6:3-4 d. Baptized into one body - 1 Cor. 12:13 e. Put on Christ - Gal. 3:26-27 f. We become an heir of God through Christ - Gal. 4:7 3. Not in church? Not saved. Not washed in the blood of Christ? Not in the kingdom. D. Many have not followed the simple steps of gospel plan - and are not saved. 1. e.g., infants sprinkled as infants. Infant can't believe, repent, confess, and therefore can't be baptized. 2. E.g., some believe saved at point of faith. Then some later baptized but it is only an outward expression of an inward grace. IV. All churches are not identical to the NT church, and therefore cannot be the NT church. A. Other churches not built according to NT pattern. 1. No NT name - Acts 11:26; Rom. 16:16 2. Foundation not in Christ - but in man - 1 Cor. 3:11; Mt. 16:18 3. Not based on law of God - but on creeds - 1 Cor. 14:37; 2 Tim. 3:16-17 4. Membership not according to scripture - Acts 2:38; Gal. 3:26-27 5. Not organized according to NT - Acts 14:23; Phil. 1:1; Eph. 4:11 6. Worship not scriptural - Acts 2:42; Eph. 5:19; Acts 20:7 7. Lack scriptural discipline - Mt. 18:17; 1 Cor. 5:4; Rev. 2:14-16 B. To be a NT church we must be identical to the one we find in NT! C. Churches that differ have NOT followed the pattern. 1. Religious history shows that denominations & other religious organizations resulted from corruption & deceit in Catholic church. 2. Going against the pattern started way back in FC. a. Acts 20:29-30 - Paul warned of this to Ephesian elders. b. Continues to this day. 3. So much corruption today that error taught on every doctrine & principle taught in the NT. 4. ALL denominations in our time would be abolished if people would get back to teaching & practice of the NT. V. All denominations contradict one another. A. Would make God author of confusion. 1. Mean that God saves people who believe & practice different doctrines. See 1 Cor. 14:33 - God is not the author of confusion. a. Would you not agree that religious world confusing today? 2. Catholics state Peter first Pope. Quoted as saying: "Any church that doesn't recognize Peter as its foundation stone is not the church of Christ." a. All other churches deny this. 3. Does God teach both? Does He accept both? Would God lie? Either Peter was first pope or he was not. Bible doesn't teach so… B. Different doctrines are what make up various denominations. 1. Who can deny that church contradict one another? a. Methodists: sprinkling = baptism. Baptists deny. b. Jehovah's Witnesses: no hell. Presbyterians affirm there is one. C. Are all churches as good as one another? 1. Go to dealership to by truck. Salesman: $15,000. Manager: $10,000. Ask owner & what if he said; Just pay the price of your choice…because one price is as good as another. 2. How long would that dealership stay in business? If this won't work in business world - how can it work in religious world? 3. Present denominational world? If you like drinking, homosexuality, a host of other things…just join the church of your choice. D. Want to please God? Follow His doctrine. 2 Jhn. 9; Mt. 15:9 VI. This teaching sanctions division. A. Division condemned in the NT. 1. 1 Cor. 12:25 - no schism in the body. 2. 1 Cor. 1:10-13 - Christ not divided. 3. Jhn. 17:20-21 - goes against the words of Christ. 4. Rom. 16:17 - Avoid those who divide themselves away from the Lord. B. All separate & distinct bodies clearly, strongly, condemned in the NT. 1. Entire denominational system based upon perversions in Word of God that lead to division. 2. Jude 3; 1 Tim. 6:12; 1 Tim. 1:18; Tit. 1:13-14 - Christians to oppose division & earnestly contend for purity of faith. a. Christians set for defense of the Gospel - Phil. 1:17 b. Teach people to become Christians & Christians only. VII. Conclusion. A. Five reasons why there are not saved in all churches. 1. Go over overhead. B. Anytime one obeys the gospel, he becomes EXACTLY what the people were in the NT. 1. A saved individual. 2. A Christian 3. Member of the church of Christ. C. Must then work and worship with other Christians under the authority of God's word. 1. To do something other than this is to cause division (denominationalism) One can't be pleasing to God. 2. Are you a member of the Lord's church? D. I N V I T A T I O N [i] "Where Will It All End?" J. R. Bronger, The Old Path II Vol. 7, No. 3, Jan. 18, 1998 [ii] Parts of this Sermon from a sermon by M. Cornwell - Poteau, OK