Is the Church Important?

By J. F. Dancer, Jr.

During the personal ministry of Jesus he told the disciples that he was go­ing to build his church and that the gates of hell (Hades) would not prevail against it. (Matt. 16:18). In this statement he was saying that even though he was to die and his spirit was to go into Hades that he would still build the church. Even his death would not prevent it.

However, many folks say that the church is relatively unimportant. They say one can be saved without being a part of the church in any way. Oh, most will say it would be a good thing to become a part of the church of the Lord but that it is unnecessary to one being saved.

In the Ephesian letter Paul emphasizes that this church that Jesus built is the spiri­tual body of Jesus (see Eph. 1:20-23). In this "body" one is adopted into the family of God (Eph. 1:5). In this "body" one has the forgiveness of sins (Eph. 1:7). In this "body" one is reconciled to God (Eph.2: 16). In this "body" one becomes a part of a holy temple to be inhabited by God through the Spirit (Eph.2:2 1, 22).

Going on farther in the letter to the saints at Ephesus we find Paul saying that Jesus gave himself for this "church" (Eph. 5:25-27) that it might have no spot or wrinkle or any such thing. In Eph. 5:23 Paul stated that Jesus is the savior of this "body" which he again identifies as the church.

From these verses how can one say that the church that Jesus built is not important to one's relationship to God? Here one finds adoption, reconciliation, forgiveness of sins, peace with God and cleansing by the wash­ing of water by the word. This is in accord with the things recorded in the book of Acts as the apostles began in Jerusalem and went all over the world preaching the gos­pel. They knew that the gospel was the power that God would use to save those who became believers.

We see the word of God leading people to not only believe in Jesus but also to repent of their sins and be baptized (by his author­ity) for the remission of those sins (Acts 2:36-41). We see from Gal. 3:26, 27 that one becomes a child of God when their faith leads them to be baptized into Christ. In 1 Cor. 12:13 we find that by one Spirit (i.e., in obedience to the Spirit) one is baptized into the one body.

God adds to the church those he has saved (Acts 2:47). Those who were prop­erly baptized were taken from the power of darkness (kingdom of Satan) and translated into the kingdom of God, the church (Col. 1:13).

If being adopted by God, being reconciled to God, being forgiven of one's sins and be­coming a habitation of God through the Spirit are all things that have happened to those who compose the church (spiritual body of Jesus) what can we say in regard to those who are not a part of the church? Is not Paul (by the inspiration of the Spirit) im­plying that those outside the church are not children of God do not have forgiveness of sins and are still separated from God by their sins? Be honest with your conclusion, please.

Jesus left heaven and came to earth to accomplish the plan of God for the salvation of humanity. This was accomplished in his death on the cross and the building of the church. Don't reject the plan of God. Do what is needed to become one of the "saved" and let the Lord add you to his church. This is the road to heaven. &

Certainly Wish That You Were Here!

By Dennis L. Reed

Do we ever wonder how the Lord evaluates our attitudes and actions with respect to our attendance at the services of the church? When one of us is not present in the worship services, we are genuinely missed by those others who are present! These brethren certainly do wish that we were here with them! Do we ourselves think very often about what we miss when a worship service comes and goes and we choose not to take advantage of it? When our brethren see us missing services, do you think that they ever wonder if we have a truly legitimate reason for not being there, or if we have just made an ex­cuse to put something else first? Or possibly it may be that being at that worship service is just not important enough for us to make the effort? These are indeed serious thoughts which come to the minds of those who are genuinely concerned about their brethren who spasmodically or regularly miss some of the services – and also about some who have just completely fallen away and never attend the services anymore.

I don’t think that there is any doubt that many of us truly believe that fellow Chris­tians are concerned about their brethren who neglect attending the services which they need to be present for! But there is also a possibility that you and I are not showing enough concern in our calls, cards, or visits with these brethren in an effort to encourage them to be more motivated and dedicated to worship the Lord every time the door of the meeting house is open! We do truly miss them! We are well aware of the times that they are not there! We do genu­inely love them, but are we really showing that affection and care by making the effort to talk with, encourage, and lift up those who are being careless or neglectful?

Some are too ill at times to attend ser­vices! That is a known and accepted fact! But when we announce that someone is not feeling well, does the thought ever come to mind that possibly that individual may be well enough to continue doing various chores around the home or maybe to prop up in the easy chair at home and watch TV while the services are going on? We are not doctors or nurses to know what every ill­ness is, but we are well aware that “not feel­ing well” can cover a multitude of matters. We are not desirous of criticizing brethren who truly don’t feel well enough to be at services, but, at the same time, we are truly concerned about some who miss services because they are just “too tired”, or “too exhausted from the day’s work”, or have “had a difficult day” with family or with oth­ers. What we are sincerely asking is that each one of us genuinely evaluate our rea­son for being absent, and try to increase our motivation and desire to be present at all of the services.

We are concerned about those who can get out of bed every morning to go to school or to their jobs, but who fail in being able to get out of the bed on Sunday morn­ing in time to make it to Bible study at 9:00 o’clock. Also, when the attendance from Sunday morning drops by nearly one-fourth or more on Sunday afternoon and almost by one-half at times on Wednesday night, it makes brethren really think and wonder about what the cause is for this decrease in attendance. Do each one of us think about that very often? Do we try to come up with solutions to improve our own attendance or that of some others? It would certainly be wonderful if the Sunday afternoon and Wednesday night attendance was relatively the same as Sunday morning, but histori­cally we know that such is not what is hap­pening. We also fully understand that some are just not able to drive after dark or might be afraid of experiencing a fall because they could not see where they are walking. Those are very legitimate concerns. We have pretty well attended to that with the 4:00 o’clock service on Sunday afternoon, but it still re­mains a difficulty for some on Wednesday night. We just want to remind anyone who might be in this situation that there are brethren who would be more than happy to provide transportation from your door to the lighted carport at the church building if you would like to attend that evening ser­vice. Please, please don’t hesitate to let that be known. It would be a great joy to “pick you up” and have you with us in that ser­vice! Your presence will certainly “pick up” our spirits!

Brethren, we are commanded to “consider one another to provoke unto love and good works” and are also admonished: “not forsaking our own assembling together, as the custom of some is, but exhorting one another; and so much the more, as ye see the day drawing nigh.” (Hebrews 10:24-27). Some might feel that this is a “sensitive matter” which should be left to the discre­tion of each person, but to those of us who truly care about the spiritual growth and usefulness of our fellow Christians, it is a very serious matter.  Will we all take a mo­ment to ponder and soberly consider these words of encouragement, and take the time to look at ourselves in the light of what God has told us? Every soul is precious and we need to know that we are genuinely missed when we are not in attendance! And so we say, “We Certainly Wish That You Were Here!” –D.R.- &