The Church

Who are the body of Christ?

THE CHURCH, IS THE CALLED OUT BODY OF BELIEVERS - THOSE WHO ARE BORN-AGAIN AND WASHED IN THE PRECIOUS BLOOD OF THE LORD JESUS.

THE TRUE AND ONLY GOD OF THE BIBLE, IS A GOD WHO CALLS PEOPLE, AND HE SPEAKS TO THEM DIRECTLY.

GOD CALLED ABRAHAM AND TOLD HIM TO LEAVE HIS HOME TOWN AND GO TO A NEW COUNTRY, A PLACE CALLED CANAAN.

ABRAHAM TOOK GOD AT HIS WORD - HE PLACED HIS COMPLETE TRUST IN THE LORD - AND GOD WAS PLEASED WITH ABRAHAM AND ACCEPTED HIM.

The first and most basic belief of the Jewish and the Christian faith is that God is a real Person, and that we are able to get to know Him.

ABRAHAM'S FAITH, WAS AT TIMES, VERY SHAKY BUT HE KNEW IN HIS OWN HEART THAT GOD HAD COMMITTED HIMSELF TO HIM, AND TO HIS FAMILY, THAT WOULD EVENTUALLY BE TOO NUMEROUS TO COUNT - THE NATION ISRAEL.

The Israelites were God's chosen people not because they had earned the right to be His children, but because God, Himself decided to call them.

IT IS THE SAME IN THE NEW TESTAMENT. JESUS, CALLED OUT DIFFERENT PEOPLE AND HE ASKED THEM TO FOLLOW HIM. HE TAUGHT THEM ABOUT HIS KINGDOM.

THE LORD JESUS CHRIST, HIMSELF, IS CALLING OUT THE CHURCH.

THE CHURCH, IS HIS BODY OF BELIEVERS - those whom He calls, hear His voice, and they accept the call, and trust Him to be their personal Saviour - their Saviour from sin and guilt. They are redeemed, baptized by the Holy Spirit and set apart for His glory.

THE APOSTLE PAUL TELLS US THAT THE LORD JESUS IS THE ONE

Titus 2:14 "Who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works."

GOD DESIRES FOR US TO ALLOW - by yielding - CHRIST JESUS TO LIVE HIS LIFE IN AND THROUGH US SO THAT WE WILL PRODUCE THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT.

One thing is very clear in the Word of God and that is that unless we have been redeemed by the Lord Jesus Christ, we cannot live for Him - we are not able to produce the fruits of the Holy Spirit, because the Holy Spirit is not in us to produce them.

Romans 8:9 "Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His."

Salvation is of God.

We are saved by grace alone, through the faith of the Lord Jesus and it is His gift to those who accept Him to be their Saviour.

Galatians 2:16 "Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified."

NOW FAITH COMES BY HEARING, AND HEARING BY THE WORD OF GOD.

BEFORE ANY PERSON CAN EVER BECOME A PART OF THE CHURCH, THEY HAVE TO HEAR THE WORD OF GOD.

Hebrews 1:1-2 "God, who at sundry times and in diverse manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by His Son, whom He hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also He made the worlds;"

THE CREATOR OF THIS UNIVERSE HAS COMMUNICATED WITH US AND THE REVELATION THAT WE HAVE IS THE INSPIRED WORD OF GOD.

IN THE OLD TESTAMENT GOD SPOKE TO ABRAHAM THROUGH DREAMS AND BY SENDING THE ANGEL OF THE LORD.

HE DID NOT TELL ABRAHAM ABOUT THE LAW, BUT HE CALLED MOSES, AND HE GAVE THE LAW THROUGH MOSES.

EVEN LATER, HE TOLD DAVID THAT A KING WOULD BE COMING IN HIS LINE, WHO WOULD BE THE SAVIOUR OF THIS WORLD.

WHEN DAVID WAS AN OLD MAN, HE SAID THAT THERE WAS COMING A KING, IN HIS LINE, WHO WOULD BE HIS SAVIOUR.

God did not give that information to Moses, nor to Abraham.

In fact God gave Moses a law that Israel was not to have an earthly king because God Himself would be their King.

HOWEVER GOD KNEW THEIR HEARTS, THAT IN TIME, ISRAEL WOULD WANT A KING.

THEY WANTED TO BE JUST LIKE OTHER NATIONS.

THEY WANTED A HUMAN, VISIBLE KING TO RULE OVER THEM..

GOD GRANTED THEIR REQUEST, BUT HE SENT LEANNESS TO THEIR SOULS.

GOD USED THAT AS THE METHOD OF GETTING THE MESSIAH, THE SAVIOUR, INTO THE WORLD.

God did not give all the truth to Abraham, but he added to it as He dealt with different men through the years and then in the fullness of time, GOD SENT FORTH HIS SON.

THERE IS A DEVELOPMENT OF TRUTH IN THE BIBLE - GOD IN THE PAST, OVER A LONG PERIOD OF TIME, USED ALL THESE DIFFERENT METHODS OF COMMUNICATING.

He spoke through Dreams.

He spoke through The Law.

He spoke through Types.

He spoke through Ritual.

He spoke through Poetry.

And He spoke through Prophecy.

GOD USED OVER 45 WRITERS TO COMMUNICATE HIS INSPIRED WORD TO US OVER A PERIOD OF ABOUT 1500 YEARS.

GOD USED MANY DIFFERENT MEN WHO CAME FROM VERY DIFFERENT BACKGROUNDS AND DIFFERENT ABILITIES TO ACCOMPLISH HIS PURPOSE IN THIS WORLD IN WHICH WE LIVE.

God does not need to waste any time in proving who He is.

Any person who comes to Him, must believe that He is God.

Hebrews 11: 6 "But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is the rewarder of them that diligently seek Him."

GOD'S PURPOSE IN OUR DAY, THE DAY OF GOD'S GRACE, THE DAY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IS THAT HE IS CALLING OUT A PEOPLE FROM THIS WORLD TO BE HIS VERY OWN.

HE KNOWS EACH ONE BY NAME AND HE KNOWS THEIR TRUE HEART. HE KNOWS THAT WHEN THEY HEAR HIS CALL -

Chorus. I have decided to follow Jesus!

Melody from India.

Verse 1.

I have decided to follow Jesus,

No turning back, No turning back!

Verse 2.

My cross I'll carry, Till I see Jesus,

No turning back, No turning back.

Verse 3.

The world behind me, The cross before me,

No turning back, No turning back!

Verse 4.

Tho' none go with me, I still will follow,

No turning back, No turning back.

AMEN.

Those who answer His call are

1 Peter 2:9 "A Chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of Him who hath called you out of darkness into His marvelous light:"

Have you heard the Lord Jesus calling you yet? He is calling you right now as you read this page. The Lord Jesus Christ died on the cross, in your deserved place, so that you, by faith in His finished work on the cross, can come to Him right now, right where you are, as a guilty, lost hell doomed sinner.

Why not accept His offer of salvation and trust Him - TAKE HIM AT HIS WORD,

HE SAYS IN

Matthew 11:28 "Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."

THIS OFFER OF SALVATION IS THE "NEW THING" THAT GOD IS DOING TODAY.

HE IS CALLING YOU TO BE PART OF HIS BODY OF BELIEVERS - HIS CHOSEN PEOPLE.

HE IS HIMSELF PREPARING THEM TO BE HIS BRIDE.

ONE DAY HE IS GOING TO PRESENT THEM AS HIS BRIDE TO HIMSELF.

Please, may I beseech you in Christ's stead, to accept His free gift of salvation. Invite Him to come into your heart and tell Him you accept Him fully, and that you believe that He is the only way, the door, to Heaven - back to God the Father.

THE JEWS REJECTED THE LORD JESUS AS THEIR KING AND HE HAS PLACED THEM, AS A NATION, ASIDE TEMPORARILY, TO DO A NEW THING, TO FORM A CALLED OUT BODY OF BELIEVERS WHO TRUST HIM TO BE THEIR SAVIOUR AND THAT BODY IS MADE UP OF BOTH JEWS AND GENTILES.

TODAY, GOD IS INVITING "WHOSOEVER WILL" HEAR HIS CALL TO COME TO HIM FOR SALVATION.

These chosen people - who make up His own body - will be caught up to meet their Lord and Saviour in the air at THE RAPTURE.

HE DOES NOT OFFER US A KINGDOM BUT HE OFFERS US REST.

HE OFFERS TO US A FINISHED REDEMPTION - REDEMPTION REST.

THIS IS A PIVOTAL POINT IN THE MINISTRY OF THE LORD JESUS.

Today, God is visiting the Gentiles to take out of them a people for His name (Acts 15:14).

The Word of God is to go into the whole world so that people from ever tribe, tongue and nations can hear His call and accept His offer, His gift of salvation.

Why not become part of His glorious body? Allow Him to FULFILL HIS PURPOSE in your life.

JAMES AGREES WITH SIMON PETER COMPLETELY, AND THEY STATE THE PURPOSE OF GOD FOR TODAY.

Acts 15:13-18 "And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Men and brethren, hearken unto me: Simon Peter hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for His name. And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written, After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up; That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and upon all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord, who doeth all these things. Known unto God are all His works from the beginning of the world."

TODAY, GOD IS VISITING THE GENTILES, TO TAKE OUT OF THEM, A PEOPLE FOR HIS NAME.

GOD IS NOT GOING TO SAVE THE WHOLE WORLD AND AT THIS POINT HE IS NOT BRINGING IN THE KINGDOM.

AT THIS POINT, THE WORD OF GOD IS TO GO INTO ALL THE WORLD. THERE WILL BE OPPOSITION TO IT AND THERE WILL BE APOSTASY BUT IT WILL GO OUT BECAUSE GOD IS USING HIS WORD TO CALL OUT OF THIS WORLD A PEOPLE TO HIS NAME.

JAMES QUOTES FROM THE PROPHET AMOS, "AFTER THIS"

Amos 9:11-12 "In that day will I raise up the tabernacle of David that is fallen, and close up the breaches thereof; and I will raise up his ruins , and I will build it as in the days of old: That they may possess the remnant of Edom, and of all the heathen, which are called by my name, says the Lord that doeth this."

TODAY, GOD IS CALLING INDIVIDUALS OUT OF THIS WORLD FOR HIS NAME AND HE THROUGH HIS HOLY SPIRIT BAPTIZES THEM AND PLACES THEM IN ONE BODY - THE CHURCH.

1 Corinthians 12:13-14 "For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have all been made to drink into one Spirit. For the body is not one member, but many."

THIS IS THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT - NOT THE BAPTISM IN THE SPIRIT BUT THE BAPTISM BY THE HOLY SPIRIT. THE HOLY SPIRIT DOES NOT BAPTIZE US INTO HIMSELF. BUT INTO THE BODY OF CHRIST.

THUS THE WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, IS TO PLUNGE US INTO CHRIST.

Sunday School Chorus. Deep and wide.

Played by Caryl.

Deep and wide, Deep and wide,

There's a fountain flowing deep and wide.

Deep and wide, Deep and wide,

There's a fountain flowing deep and wide.

Plunge right in, Loose your sin,

There's a fountain flowing deep and wide.

Plunge right in, Loose your sin,

There's a fountain flowing deep and wide.

AMEN.

Have you gone to the Lord Jesus with your burden of sin?

THE HOLY SPIRIT MAKES US A PART OF THE CHURCH HERE UPON THIS EARTH.

THERE IS ONLY ONE BAPTISM DESCRIBED IN THE NEW TESTAMENT APART FROM WATER BAPTISM.

WATER BAPTISM IS A PUBLIC CONFESSION OF OUR FAITH.

OUR ACCEPTANCE OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST AS OUR PERSONAL SAVIOUR.

IT IS A PUBLIC DECLARATION, THAT WE HAVE BEEN BURIED WITH HIM IN HIS DEATH AND THAT WE HAVE BEEN RAISED IN HIM, IN NEWNESS OF LIFE.

WE RECEIVE THIS NEW LIFE THE MOMENT WE TRUST CHRIST. IT IS HIS LIFE, IT IS NEW LIFE IN CHRIST JESUS.

THEREFORE, WATER BAPTISM TAKES PLACE AFTER WE ARE BORN-AGAIN.

AND THE HOLY SPIRIT BAPTISM TAKES PLACE AT OUR CONVERSION.

THE MOMENT WE TURN TO CHRIST - TRUST HIM FOR SALVATION - THE HOLY SPIRIT IMMEDIATELY BAPTIZES US AND HE PLACES US IN THE FUNCTIONING BODY OF CHRIST.

HE IMPUTES TO US THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF CHRIST AND HE GIVES TO EACH BELIEVER IN CHRIST A GIFT SO THAT THE NEW BELIEVER IS ABLE TO FUNCTION IN THE BODY - THE CHURCH.

You could be the "big toes" or perhaps, even "the ear."

Ephesians 4:4-6 "There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God, and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in all."

THE DAY IS COMING WHEN GOD WILL REMOVE HIS CHURCH FROM THIS WORLD.

The Rapture is the next event on the program of God.

ONE OF THESE FINE DAYS, WE WHO BELONG TO HIM, ARE IN CHRIST JESUS WILL HEAR HIS VOICE WHICH WILL SOUND LIKE A TRUMPET, AND WE SHALL MEET HIM IN THE AIR.

Acts 15:16 " .. after this I will return, ... "

After His body - the church - leaves this world He will return and He will rebuild the tabernacle of David.

GOD SAYS THAT HE IS GOING TO SEND THE LORD JESUS BACK TO THIS EARTH - HE WILL PLACE ALL THE ENEMIES OF CHRIST UNDER HIS FEET.

THE REBELLION IN THIS WORLD IS GOING TO BE FINALLY OVER ONE OF THESE DAYS.

BUT UNTIL THAT DAY, GOD SAYS

Psalm 2:12 "Kiss the Son, lest He be angry, and ye perish from the way, when His wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in Him."

THIS IS THE OLD TESTAMENT WAY OF SAYING

Acts 16:31 "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved."

THE HOLY SPIRIT OF GOD IS TELLING US TO BELIEVE ON THE LORD JESUS CHRIST BEFORE IT IS FOREVER TOO LATE.

THE LORD JESUS IS COMING TO THIS EARTH AND HE IS GOING TO ESTABLISH HIS OWN KINGDOM HERE UPON THIS EARTH.

HE IS GOING TO RULE UPON THIS EARTH AND HE WILL BRING PEACE AND HARMONY TO THIS EARTH.

Hebrews 1:13 "But to which of the angels said he at any time, sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool."

THE PROGRAM OF GOD IS CLEARLY OUTLINED FOR US IN SCRIPTURE.

AT PRESENT, HE IS CALLING A PEOPLE, OUT OF THIS WORLD, TO HIS NAME. AFTER HE HAS REMOVED THESE PEOPLE AT THE RAPTURE, HE WILL RE-ESTABLISH THE DAVIDIC RULE OVER ISRAEL - IN OTHER WORDS HE IS SPEAKING OF THE MILLENNIUM, WHICH IS YET FUTURE.

THERE WILL BE MANY NATIONS THAT WILL ENTER THE MILLENNIUM.

Acts 15:17 "That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord, who doeth all these things."

THESE ARE THE ONES WHO WILL ENTER THE KINGDOM.

There is yet to be a greater turning to God in the future.

Why not turn to Christ Jesus today?

HYMN. Come to the Saviour now. Sankey's Sacred Songs & Solos 399.

Played by Caryl.

Verse 1.

Come to the Saviour now! He gently calleth thee;

In true repentance bow, Before Him bend the knee!

He waiteth to bestow Salvation, peace, and love,

True joy on earth below, A home in heaven above.

COME, COME, COME.

Verse 2.

Come to the Saviour now! Gaze on that cleansing tide -

Water and blood that flow Forth from his wounded side.

Hark to the suffering one: "Tis finished!" now He cries;

Redemption's work is done, Then bows His head and dies.

COME. COME, COME.

Verse 3.

Come to the Saviour now! He suffered all for thee;

And in His merits thou Hast an unfailing plea

No vain excuses frame For feelings do not stay;

None who to Jesus came Were ever sent away.

COME, COME, COME.

Verse 4.

Come to the Saviour now! Ye who have wandered far;

Renew you solemn vow, For His by right you are.

Come, like poor wandering sheep Returning to His fold -

His arm will safely keep, His love will ne'er grow cold.

COME, COME, COME.

Verse 5.

Come to the Saviour now! What-e'er your burdens be;

Hear now His loving call - "Cast all your care on Me."

Come and for every grief In Jesus you will find

A sure and safe relief A loving friend and kind.

COME, COME, COME.

AMEN.

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