Jesus said, “If you love Me, keep My commandments” (John 14:15). The Holy Spirit said, “For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome” (1 John 5:3). Therefore, all those who love God and His Son Jesus Christ will have the attitude of seeking to know God’s will and doing it. This attitude ought to prevail in all areas of service to the Lord, including the church.
Many people think the church is unimportant. They have been told that the church was a last-minute thought by God and it is only temporary until the kingdom is established. However, the Bible says the church was part of God’s eternal purpose (Ephesians 3:9-11). It also shows us that the church and the kingdom are the same (Matthew 16:18; Mark 9:1; Colossians 1:13, 18). The importance of the church is made known by the fact that Jesus died it (Acts 20:28; Ephesians 5:25). Can anyone doubt that the Lord is serious about His bride (cf. 2 Corinthians 11:2)?
The Lord did not leave it to man to determine the organization of the church, what its work would be and how it would worship. Rather, the Holy Spirit revealed all truth–truth we can know (John 16:13; 8:32).
Therefore, we ask the questions: Can you read about your church in the Bible? Is the name of your church found in the Bible? Can you find the organizational structure of your church in the New Testament of Jesus Christ? Does the Bible teach you how to become a member of your church? Or does it take a church manual or discipline to know how?
Friends, we are commanded to do all by Christ’s authority and “speak as the oracles of God” (Colossians 3:17; 1 Peter 4:11). Is the your church doing this?
Steven F. Deaton
