Condemned by Ignorance
Wooddale Church of Christ

Morality


It is contended by some that persons with good morals, respectable citizens with clean lives, can go to heaven regardless of their relationship to Christianity.


We briefly note that if this were true:

1. Man could have been saved without Christ's coming into the world; but he came to save (John 3:17 -> For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.)
2. One could be saved apart from Christ's stripes; but we are healed by his stripes (I Peter 2:24 -> who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness-by whose stripes you were healed)
3. A person could have been saved without the death of Christ; but he died for our sins (I Corinthians 15:3 ->For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures)
4. Man could have been justified without he resurrection of Christ; but he was raised for our Justification ( Romans 4:25 ->who was delivered up because of our offenses, and was raised because of our justification)
5. We could be redeemed apart from the blood; but we have our redemption through his blood (Ephesians 1:7 -> In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace)
6. Men could please God without faith; but without faith it's impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6 ->But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.)
7. One could be saved without repenting; but those who repent not shall perish (Luke 13:3-> I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish)
8. Man could deny Christ and be saved; but those who deny Christ shall be denied before the Father (Matthew 10:32-> Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven)
9. A person could be saved without baptism; but baptism saves (I Peter 3:20, 21-> who formerly were disobedient, when once the Divine longsuffering waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water. There is also an antitype which now saves us-baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ)
10. Men could be saved without being born again; but men must be born again to see the kingdom of God (John 3:5 ->Jesus answered, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.")
11. We could be saved without obeying the gospel; but Christ will render vengeance to them that obey not the gospel ( II Thessalonians 1:8 -> in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.)
12. Man could be saved without being converted; but he must be converted to enter into the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 18:3 -> and said, "Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.)

A Call for New Testament Christianity

Jesus died for his church, the bride of Christ. (Ephesians 5:25-33) Man throughout history has corrupted the church that Christ died for through denominationalism, by adding man-made laws to the scriptures, and by following creeds other than the Holy Bible.

It is possible today, to be obedient to the will of Christ. Christians can resolve to restore the church to being the church of the New Testament. (Acts 2:41-47)
Some Things You Should Know
You should know that in Bible times, the church is called:

* The temple of God (1 Corinthians 3:16)
* The bride of Christ (Ephesians 5:22-32)
* The body of Christ (Colossians 1:18,24; Ephesians 1:22-23)
* The kingdom of God's son (Colossians 1:13)
* The house of God (1 Timothy 3:15)
* The church of God (1 Corinthians 1:2)
* The church of the first-born (Hebrews 12:23)
* The church of the Lord (Acts 20:28)
* The churches of Christ (Romans 16:16)

You should know that the church is:

* Built by Jesus Christ (Matthew 16:13-18)
* Purchased by the blood of Christ (Acts 20:28)
* Built on Jesus Christ as the only foundation (1 Corinthians 3:11)
* Not built on Peter, Paul, or any other man (1 Corinthians 1:12-13)
* Composed of the saved, who are added to it by the Lord who saves them (Acts 2:47)

You should know that members of the church are called:

* Members of Christ (1 Corinthians 6:15; 1 Corinthians 12:27; Romans 12:4-5)
* Disciples of Christ (Acts 6:1,7; Acts 11:26)
* Believers (Acts 5:14; 2 Corinthians 6:15)
* Saints (Acts 9:13; Romans 1:7; Philippians 1:1)
* Priests (1 Peter 2:5,9; Revelation 1:6)
* Children of God (Galatians 3:26-27; 1 John 3:1-2)
* Christians (Acts 11:26; Acts 26:28; 1 Peter 4:16)

You should know that the local church has:

* Elders (also called bishops and pastors) who oversee and tend the flock (1 Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9; 1 Peter 5:1-4)
* Deacons, who serve the church (1 Timothy 3:8-13; Philippians 1:1)
* Evangelists (preachers, ministers) who teach and proclaim the word of God (Ephesians 4:11; 1 Timothy 4:13-16; 2 Timothy 4:1-5)
* Members, who love the Lord and each other (Philippians 2:1-5)
* Autonomy, and is bound to other local churches only by the common faith shared (Jude 3; Galatians 5:1)

You should know that the Lord Jesus Christ:

* Loved the church (Ephesians 5:25)
* Shed his blood for the church (Acts 20:28)
* Established the church (Matthew 16:18)
* Added saved people to the church (Acts 2:47)
* Is the head of the church (Ephesians 1:22-23; Ephesians 5:23)
* Will save the church (Acts 2:47; Ephesians 5:23)

You should know that man did not:

* Purpose the church (Ephesians 3:10-11)
* Purchase the church (Acts 20:28; Ephesians 5:25)
* Name its members (Isaiah 56:5; Isaiah 62:2; Acts 11:26; 1 Peter 4:16)
* Add people to the church (Acts 2:47; 1 Corinthians 12:18)
* Give the church its doctrine (Galatians 1:8-11; 2 John 9-11)

You should know, to enter the church, you must:

* Believe in Jesus Christ (Hebrews 11:6; John 8:24; Acts 16:31)
* Repent of your sins (Turn away from your sins) (Luke 13:3; Acts 2:38; Acts 3:19; Acts 17:30)
* Confess faith in Jesus (Matthew 10:32; Acts 8:37; Romans 10:9-10)
* Be baptized into the saving blood of Jesus Matthew 28:19; Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; Acts 10:48; Acts 22:16)

You should know that baptism requires:

* Much water (John 3:23; Acts 10:47)
* Going down into the water (Acts 8:36-38)
* A burial in water (Romans 6:3-4; Colossians 2:12)
* A resurrection (Acts 8:39; Romans 6:4; Colossians 2:12)
* A birth (John 3:3-5; Romans 6:3-6)
* A washing (Acts 22:16; Hebrews 10:22)

You should know that by baptism:

* You are saved from sins (Mark 16:16 1 Peter 3:21)
* You have remission of sins (Acts 2:38)
* Sins are washed away by the blood of Christ (Acts 22:16; Hebrews 9:22; Hebrews 10:22; 1 Peter 3:21)
* You enter into the church (1 Corinthians 12:13; Acts 2:41,47)
* You enter into Christ (Galatians 3:26-27; Romans 6:3-4)
* You put on Christ and become a child of God (Galatians 3:26-27)
* You are born again, a new creature (Romans 6:3-4; 2 Corinthians 5:17)
* You walk in newness of life (Romans 6:3-6)
* You obey Christ (Mark 16:15-16; Acts 10:48; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9)

You should know that the faithful church will:

* Worship in spirit and in truth (John 4:23-24)
* Meet on the first day of the week (Acts 20:7; Hebrews 10:25)
* Pray (James 5:16; Acts 2:42; 1 Timothy 2:1-2; 1 Thessalonians 5:17)
* Sing, making melody with the heart (Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16)
* Eat the Lord's supper on the first day of the week (Acts 2:42 20:7; Matthew 26:26-30; 1 Corinthians 11:20-32)
* Give, liberally and cheerfully (1 Corinthians 16:1-2; 2 Corinthians 8:1-5; 2 Corinthians 9:6-8)

You should know, that in New Testament times there was:

* One family of God (Ephesians 3:15; 1 Timothy 3:15)
* One kingdom of Christ (Matthew 16:18-19; Colossians 1:13-14)
* One body of Christ (Colossians 1:18; Ephesians 1:22-23; Ephesians 4:4)
* One bride of Christ (Romans 7:1-7; Ephesians 5:22-23)
* One church of Christ (Matthew 16:18; Ephesians 1:22-23; Ephesians 4:4-6)

You know that the same church today:

* Is guided by the same word (1 Peter 1:22-25; 2 Timothy 3:16-17)
* Contends for the one faith (Jude 3; Ephesians 4:5)
* Pleads for unity of all believers (John 17:20-21; Ephesians 4:4-6)
* Is not a denomination (1 Corinthians 1:10-13; Ephesians 4:1-6)
* Is faithful to Christ (Luke 6:46; Revelation 2:10; Mark 8:38)
* Wears the name of Christ (Romans 16:16; Acts 11:26; 1 Peter 4:16)

You should know that you can be a member of this church:

* By doing what people 1900 years ago (Acts 2:36-47)
* Without being in any denomination (Acts 2:47; 1 Corinthians 1:10-13)

You should know that a child of God:

* Can be lost (1 Corinthians 9:27; 1 Corinthians 10:12; Galatians 5:4; Hebrews 3:12-19)
* But is given a law of pardon (Acts 8:22; James 5:16)
* Is constantly cleansed by the blood of Christ as he walks in the light of God (1 Peter 2:9-10; 1 John 1:5-10)

"Some Things You Should Know" is from a tract by Gospel Minutes, P.O. Box 50007, Ft. Worth, TX 76105-0007