Next Steps

The Church is very important because Jesus founded it.

The Church is referred to in the New Testament in several ways:

• Paul called the Church “Jesus’ Building.”
  • “And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;” Ephesians 2:20
• Jesus is referred to as the Foundation of the Church, the very stabilizing Rock upon which it is built.
  • “For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” 1 Corinthians 3:11
  • “And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” Matthew 16:18
• Jesus is called the Church’s Cornerstone.
  • “And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;” Ephesians 2:20
• Paul speaks of the Church as Jesus’ Body.
  • “For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.” Ephesians 5:23
• Christ is the Head of the Church.
  • “And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.” Colossians 1:18
• Christians constitute the members of Jesus’ Body. We function together as a unit under His leadership and authority.
  • “For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church:
    
    For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.” Ephesians 5:29–30
• The Church is pictured as Jesus’ Bride. Jesus is married to us by means of salvation, and He is our faithful Bridegroom.
  • “Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it.” Ephesians 5:25
  • “And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bridechamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them? as long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast. 20 But the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then shall they fast in those days." Mark 2:19–20

The New Testament Greek word for “church” is “ecclesia,” which means “those who have been called out.” Christians have been called out and set apart (i.e., sanctified) from this world.

• We are Christ’s chosen people—in this world but not of it.
  • “But ye are 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 marvellous light.” 1 Peter 2:9
  • “If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.” John 15:19

Usually, when the word “church” appears in the New Testament, it refers to a specific congregation of baptized believers in a particular geographical area. These believers had united themselves together under Christ’s Lordship to be the Body of Christ and to minister to those around them for His glory. A church is made up of people who have been saved.

The local church is at the heart of Christian activity on earth. The universal Church (i.e., all Christian believers) is made up of individual Christians who should belong to local churches. Every believer should be an active member of a local church because if you love Jesus, the Head of the Church, you should also love other Christians, who are the Body of the Church. If you love the Foundation of the Church (Jesus), you should also love the Building (other Christians). If you love the Groom (Jesus), you should also love the Bride (the Church).

Generally speaking, the two primary requirements for joining a Baptist church are (1) knowing that you have been saved and (2) being scripturally baptized. You should only consider joining a church that believes basic biblical doctrines such as:

• The entire Bible is the inspired Word of God.
• Jesus is the divine, virgin-born, sinless, sacrificial, resurrected, returning, saving Son of God.
• Salvation is by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone.
• Jesus Christ is the only way to God.
• Christians should witness to lost people so they can be saved.