We want to welcome our new Minister Grant Carey
We want to welcome our new Minister Grant Carey
1. A Vine. Jesus said, "I am the vine, ye are the branches." (John 15:5) In this relationship, we must be grafted into the vine and then grow individually and collectively as branches in Christ the Vine. Our goal is to bear spiritual fruit, and we must. One analogy of the church of Christ the Vine and Branches.
2. A Race. Hebrews 12:1 likens the church of Christ to a race we have to enter. We must train, enter and finish the race, running for the crown. Like the apostle Paul, we must finish "our course" in order to receive the crown, which is our goal (2 Timothy 4:7,8).
3. An Army. The church of Christ is an army (2 Timothy 2:3,4). A person must enlist, wear armor (Ephesians 6:13-17) and use it properly and efficiently in order to be a good soldier, pleasing the One who chose him to be a soldier. The goal is victory
4. A Kingdom. The church of Christ is the kingdom of Christ. Four things are necessary to have a kingdom: a king, a territory, a law, subjects (or citizens). Ephesians 2:19 says that we are fellowcitizens. Each of us took an oath in order to become a citizen. The kingdom has come -- it is the church. Christ is its king and we are its citizens, and we have privileges provided only in the kingdom.
5. A Marriage. We read in Romans 7:4 that we should be married to Christ in order to bring fruit to God. The New Testament message is clear: Christ is the bridegroom; the church is the bride (Ephesians 5:22-27). A ceremony makes us one. The bride is waiting for the bridegroom to come. The goal is for the bride and groom to always be together.
6. A Family. Most people are in families because they were born into them. A birth (or coming forth) is necessary. Jesus taught that we must be born again (baptized in water) in order to enter the kingdom or church. Christians are children of God and thereby His heirs. We are also joint-heirs with Christ. We are the family of God (Romans 8:16,17). Our goal is the inheritance from God, or heaven.
7. A Church. Since the church was purchased by Jesus, it is His. It bears his name (church of Christ, among others) because it is his bride. She wears His name, not that of any other man. Just as a branch must be graft into the vine, a runner must enter the race, a soldier must enlist, a citizen must take an oath, a marriage must have a ceremony, and a child must be born, a person must be baptized to become a Christian.
The analogies for what the church of Christ is are from scripture. God describes the church in these ways to help us understand its various purposes and relationships. There is only one church of Christ. He bought it with his blood. The church of Christ lives by Christ's laws and looks to Him for its salvation. That's why it is important for every person to understand what the church of Christ is and to be a member of it; and there is a standing invitation for you to be part of it -- especially here at Cottontown Church of Christ. So, come, and we will learn and follow God's Word together.
God's Plan for Salvation:
1. Hear. Romans 10:17
2. Believe or have faith. Hebrews 11:6; Romans 10:17; John 8:24
3. Repent. Luke 13:3,5; Acts 2:38
4. Confess. Matthew 10:32; Luke 12:8; Romans 10:9,10
5. Be baptized for the remission of sins. Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; Acts 8:12,36-38; Acts 22:16
After being saved initially (sins taken away), we must remain faithful in order to be saved eternally. Revelation 2:10
Since a preacher serves, he can be called a minister. Technically, other Christians are ministers also. Since a preacher preaches, he can be called a preacher or an evangelist. Since the title pastor is used in the Bible to refer to one who cares for a flock, a preacher should not be called pastor, unless he is also an elder (bishop, overseer). A preacher should also never be called reverend, rabbi, or father. The name reverend is used one time in the Bible, only in reference to God (Psalm 111:9 -- KJV). Jesus said in Matthew 23:8-10 to call no man rabbi, because we have one master, Christ. He said to call no man father because we have one father, God. We believe that men should be careful about their titles and make them accurate according to God's Word.
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