Only few of the believers of Christ knew that the Church is also important to man for him to attain the salvation promised by Christ. They thought that what is important for their salvation is Christ alone because Christ is the only savior sent by God to save men on the day of judgment.
And for us to know the importance of the church founded by Christ, let us ask the Holy Bible the series of questions.
Did Christ state His purpose of founding His church? In the book of Matthew 16:18, on the declaration of Christ, it was clearly stated the importance of His Church: 18 And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. (Matt 16:18, NKJV) According to Christ, the gates of Hades shall not prevail against Christ's Church. Does it mean that members of Christs Church will not experience death? Apostle Paul answered that those who died in Christ will rise first.16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. (I Thessalonians 4:16, NKJV) The dead in Christ referred to by Apostle Paul on that verse are members of the Church founded by Christ. They are said to be in Christ because they are members of the body of Christ, or the Church of Christ (Romans 12:4-5, Colossians 1:18, Romans 16:16)
Take note, that those who died in Christ will rise first. After this, what will happen to them? According to Apostle John they are blessed and holy and that the second death has no power over them. 6 Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years. (Revelations 20:6, NKJV) What is Second Death, anyway? Apostle John said that the Second death is the lake of fire.14Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. (Revelations 20:14, NIV) In other words, members of the true Church of Christ although experience death (the first death) will never experience the second death which is the lake of fire.
Why is it that members of the Church of Christ will never experience death? It is because Christ will save His Church.23For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. (Ephesians 5:23, NIV) If Christ is the savior of His Church, does it mean that Christ will save His Church alone? Yes. Christ will save His Church alone, because according to Apostle Paul, outside the Church is God's judgment.13God will judge those outside. "Expel the wicked man from among you." (I Corinthians 5:13, ibid) And what will be the judgment of God outside the Church of Christ? Christ said that the branch that will be cast out will be thrown into the fire. 6 If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. (John 15:6, ibid) The branches referred to by Christ are the members of His Body the Church. As these branches will be cast out, they will be thrown into the fire.
If Christ will save His Church alone, is there any invitation of Christ to men for them to be saved on the day of judgment? Yes. Christ invited men to enter by Him.9 I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. (John 10:9, ibid) Those who enter Christ became parts of Christ's body.27 Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually. (I Corinthians 12:27, ibid) The body of Christ is His own Church (Colossians 1:18, Romans 16:16).
Therefore: The main purpose why Christ founded His Church, is to save those who are inside His Church from the wrath of God on Judgment Day.
So, if you want to be saved on the day of Judgment, you must enter Christ, by becoming members of the true Church of Christ. |
