Here is a simple list of six Scriptural reasons why the Church of the New Testament is an essential part of God's plan for our lives.

1. The church we read about in the New Testament is a part of God's Eternal Purpose. The church was in God's eternal plan (Ephesians 3:10-12). The members of the church are also referred to as "fellow heirs and fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel." (Ephesians 3:6).
2. Hades will not prevail against the Church of Christ (Matthew 16:18). Jesus would die, but He would rise again to build His church. The Rock upon which the church is built is the fact of Jesus' identity as the Christ, the Son of God (Matthew 16:16-17). 3. The Church is Christ's kingdom (Matthew 16:19). He rules over His church, though His authority is not limited to the church. We are added to the church when we are translated into the kingdom, and that is done when we answer to the call of the gospel by obedient faith (Acts 2:47; Colossians 1:13; 18). This kingdom is to be given first priority in our lives (Matthew 6:33).
3. The Church is the Family, or Household of God (1 Timothy 3:15). If it is necessary to be God's child in His family, then it is necessary to be a member of His church. If we are not in God's family, then He is not our Father. Who are the heirs of God? Would it be those in or out of His household? (Romans 8:15-17; Titus 3:7).
4. The church has a purchase price. Guess how much it cost. The church was purchased and the the price was the blood of Christ (Acts 20:27). But note that the blood is also said to purchase men (Revelation 5:9). This means that the church is made up of people redeemed by the blood of Christ.
5. Jesus is Savior of the Church. Paul identifies the body of Christ as the church, and then says Jesus is Savior of the body (Ephesians 5:23). He also is said to love the church and that He gave Himself up for it (Ephesians 5:25). Those in the church, or body, have been reconciled unto God, and the price of reconciliation was paid on the cross (Ephesians 2:16).
6. The church is referred to as a spiritual "Mount Zion". Isaiah had prophesied about the salvation that would occur here (Isaiah 2:2-3). In the New testament, we learn that Mount Zion is the church and we also find out that when this universe is removed at the end of time that the church, or kingdom, will not be shaken (Hebrews 12:22-24; 25-29).

By Jon W. Quinn
Front Page
From Expository Files 11.4, April, 2004

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