The Church In The Bible

The church in the Bible is simply called "the church." There was only one. Yes, the church met in many different places but they were still one church. They all taught the same thing. The Bible calls that one thing the one church taught "the Apostle's doctrine."

And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. (Acts 2:42)

“Did we not strictly command you not to teach in this name? And look, you have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this Man’s blood on us!” (Acts 5:28)

And they took him and brought him to the Areopagus, saying, “May we know what this new doctrine is of which you speak? (Acts 17:19)

But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered. (Romans 6:17)

Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them. (Romans 16:17)

that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, (Ephesians 4:14)

which all concern things which perish with the using—according to the commandments and doctrines of men? (Colossians 2:22)

As I urged you when I went into Macedonia—remain in Ephesus that you may charge some that they teach no other doctrine, (1 Timothy 1:3)

for fornicators, for sodomites, for kidnappers, for liars, for perjurers, and if there is any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine, (1 Timothy 1:10)

Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, (1 Timothy 4:1)

If you instruct the brethren in these things, you will be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished in the words of faith and of the good doctrine which you have carefully followed. (1 Timothy 4:6)

Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. (1 Timothy 4:13)

Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you. (1 Timothy 4:16)

Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine. (1 Timothy 5:17)

And so on it goes, 38 times in the New Testament the Bible talks about doctrine and how important it is. In II John 1:9 the Apostle John sums up just how important it is...

9 Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son. (II John 1:9)

As men got religiously farther and farther away from the apostle's teaching, the apostle's doctrine, they began bringing more and more of their doctrines into the church to the point they became separate churches until today we have hundreds of "churches" everywhere teaching all kinds of things and many teaching the opposite of what another church is teaching. They even define themselves by crediting their church to the doctrine's originator or to the doctrine itself.

For example in Mark 16:15-16 after Jesus rose from the dead, Jesus himself tells his apostles...

15 And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. (Mark 16:15-16)

It is called the Great Commission. It tells them what to do and it tells the result of their doing it: Those who believe and are baptized will be saved, those who don't, won't, and they will not be saved. The Great Commission is a doctrine of Christ from his very mouth.

A very high percentage of "Christian" churches will tell you Mark 16:15-16 doesn't mean what it says. They will tell you all you have to do is acknowledge Jesus' going to the cross and simply asking God to forgive your sins. NOWHERE in New Testament scripture after Jesus gave the Great Commission was ANYONE told to say ANY KIND of a prayer to be saved. EVERY EXAMPLE of salvation recorded in the New Testament fits Mark 16:15-16.

9 Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son. (II John 1:9)

If your church denies this obvious, basic command of Jesus it is following a teaching of man outside of the teaching of Christ and does not have God.

The Bible church strives to correctly divide God's Word and to add nothing to it or take nothing away from it.

"Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you." (Deuteronomy 4:2 KJV)

"What thing soever I command you, observe to do it: thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it. (Deuteronomy 12:32 KJV)

God's Plan of Salvation

GOD'S PART

1. The great love of God for man (John 3:16)
2. He gave His Son, Jesus Christ, as the Saviour (Luke 19:10)
3. Sent the Holy Spirit as a guide (John 16:13)
4. Gave the Gospel as "the power" unto salvation (Romans 1:16)
5. Provided atonement by the blood of Christ (Romans 5:9)

MAN'S PART

1. Hear the Gospel. (Romans 10:17, John 8:32)
2. Believe the Gospel (Hebrews 11:6, John 20:31)
3. Repent of past sins (Luke 13:3, Acts 17:30)
4. Confess faith in Jesus Christ (Romans 10:10, Matthew 10:32)
5. Be Baptized (Galatians 3:27, Mark 16:16, Acts 2:38)
6. Be faithful unto death (Revelation 2:10)