LESSON IV: WASHED IN THE BLOOD OF THE LAMB
The redeeming blood of Christ runs like a crimson thread through the entire Bible, and our last lesson dealt with how we contact the saving blood and enter into Christ. What does it mean to be "in Christ"? What is the relationship between Christ and His church? A failure to understand the nature of the church is the basis of much confusion in the religious world.
I. WHAT IS THE CHURCH? HOW IMPORTANT IS IT?
1. The church is Christ's body: "...and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His ____________" (Eph. 1:22, 23) Therefore, to be in Christ, we must be in His body, the church.
2. The church is God's family (I Tim. 3:15). Therefore, when we are born into the family, we are part of His church.
3. The church is the realm where salvation is: "Christ is the head of the church: and He is the Savior of the body" (Eph. 5:23). The church does not save; rather, the church is the SAVED -- that group cleansed from past sins by the blood of Christ.
4. The church is the name applied to the ones purchased by Christ's blood: "...the ___________ of God, which he hath purchased with His own ______________" (Acts 20:28). Hence, persons outside the church have not been purchased by Christ's blood; and when we comply with divine requirements to contact His blood, then we become part of His church.
5. Thus, church membership is not optional. Salvation and church membership are attained by the same process. Believing, penitent persons who contact Christ's blood through baptism are thereby added to the Lord's church (Acts 2:47). This is essential, if we are to be among those described in Rev. 7:14 which "came out of the great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb" -- necessary, if we are to have a happy forever.
TO SUMMARIZE:
The church is:
1. Christ's body (Eph 1:22, 23) 6. The blood-purchased (Acts 20:28) 2. God's family (I Tim. 3:15) 7. The saved (Acts 2:47) 3. Those "in Christ" (Gal. 3:27) 8. The bride of Christ (Rom. 7:4) 4. Where all spiritual blessings are (Eph. 1:3) 9. The kingdom (Matt. 16:19) 5. The redeemed (Eph. 1:7) 10. The cleansed who will be presented to Christ (Eph. 5:27)
II. HOW MANY CHURCHES DID CHRIST BUILD?
1. He said: "upon this rock I will build ______ _________" (Matt. 16:18). How many? ______
2. "There is _______ body" (Eph. 4:4). "But now are they many members yet but _______ _______" (I Cor. 12:20). Since the body is the church; hence, one church. There is a need for only one -- one family to which God adds the saved.
III. CHRIST, THE FOUNDATION OF THE CHURCH. "For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Christ Jesus" (I Cor. 3:11). Also Eph. 2:20)
IV. CHRIST, THE HEAD OF THE CHURCH (Eph. 1:22, 23; Col. 1:18). Christ has all authority "in ________ and on ______________" Matt. 28:18). This leaves no authority for a "visible head" on earth.
V. WHAT KIND OF MUSIC DID CHRIST AUTHORIZE IN HIS CHURCH?
God commanded us to worship. However, he does not accept just anything offered as worship, as shown by the life of Cain and Abel (Gen. 4:4, 5). It must be according to his instructions. What kind of music did he authorize?
1. "Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your ___________ to the Lord" (Eph. 5:19).
2. "Teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, ________with grace in your heart to the Lord" (Col. 3:16).
3. Every Scripture in the New Testament which mentions music in the worship specifies vocal music. Review the principle stated in Deut. 4:2.
VI. HOW IS THE LORD'S CHURCH TO BE FINANCED?
God has always demanded a spirit of sacrifice requiring man to give of his possessions. What does the new law say about this?
1. "Upon the first day of the week let everyone of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him" (I Cor. 16:2).
2. Every man according as he hath purposeth in his heart so let him give, not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver" (II Cor. 9:7).
VII. HOW OFTEN DID CHRIST'S CHURCH OBSERVE THE LORD'S SUPPER?
The Lord's Supper is a divine memorial, instituted by Christ (Matt. 26:26-29).
1. Upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to _________ __________" (Acts 20:7). Note from I Cor. 16:2 (above) that the breaking of bread is to be done with the same regularity as the giving; that is, "upon the first day of the week."
2. "This cup is the new testament in my blood; this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me" (I Cor. 11:25).
VII. WHAT ABOUT THE NAME?
1. Christ's church was called: the body of Christ (Eph. 1:22, 23); the church of God (I Cor. 1:2); the church of Christ (Rom. 16:16); the church (Acts 8:1).
2. Individual members were called: saints (I Cor. 1:2); disciples (Acts 20:7); brethren (I Cor. 15:6); the children of God (I John 3:1); Christians (Acts 11:26).
(1) God promised in Isa. 62:2 that his children would be called by a new name. "... called Christians first at Antioch" (Acts 11:26).
(2) Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is non other ________ under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved" (Acts 4:12).
(3) Yet if any man suffer as a _______________, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on his behalf" (I Peter 4:16). (A.S.V. says "in this name").
(4) Is it alright to call ourselves a "Paulite-Christian", "Apollosite-Christian," "Cephasite-Christian," or any other kind of "hyphenated Christian"? See I Cor. 1:10-13.
