1

CAN ONE BE SAVED OUTSIDE OF THE CHURCH?

The Bible is inspired, as you know, and the word “inspiration” occurs twice: Once to state how complete “All scriptures is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God might be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works” (II Timothy 3:16-17). Then again, to state the purpose “But there is a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding” (Job 32:8) Therefore, when you pick up this book, you are holding in your hands the truth of God, all- sufficient, revealed for our understanding. Now, truth is revealed both to confirm that the Bible is the inspired word of God, and for the benefit humanity. I offer the following for example: Prophecy: 1. King Cyrus was instrumental in the rebuilding of the temple after seventy years of Babylonian captivity (Ezra 1:2-3). A fact God revealed 200 years earlier, before anyone heard of or even thought of Cyrus (Isaiah 44:28). 2. The bones of Joseph (Genesis 50:24-26; Exodus 13:19; Hebrews 11:22). 3. The birth of Christ, a virgin would conceive and bring forth a Son (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:23; Luke 1:26-33). Medical: 1. The seed of a woman (Genesis 3:15). 2. Life is in the blood (Leviticus 17:11). Science: 1. The earth is round (Isaiah 40:22). 2. There are springs in the sea (Job 38:16). 3. The earth hangs upon nothing (Job 26:7). Matters of eternity: 1. The fall of man (Genesis 3:1-14). 2. The promise of a Saviour (Genesis 3:15; 12:3). 3. The Saviour of the world has come (I John 4:14).

The subject of this hour “Can one be saved outside of the church?” certainly falls in the category of matters of eternity. In fact, this subject is so important to the salvation of man that God planned for the church before the foundation of the world. “To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, According to the eternal purpose which He purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Ephesians 3:10-11).

Folks, if we had no other passage in the Bible – this one would demonstrate the emphasis God places upon the church: 1. God intended for the church to make known His manifold wisdom. 2. How long did God purpose it? It is according to His eternal purpose. 3. Where did God purpose it? In Christ Jesus our Lord. If we went no further, if we stopped right here, you would know that the church is important to the salvation of man! Our lesson tonight is to see why the church is important to the salvation of man. 2

Because the Saviour built the church

“I will build my church” (Matthew 16:18). Not with wood, brick and mortar, no amount of earthly material could build this Divine institution. “Which He purchased with His own blood” (Acts 20:28). The church is a blood-bought institution. “Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it” (Ephesians 5:25). He who built the church would have to die for it. Now what have we seen? 1. Jesus promised to build the church. 2. The price was His own precious blood – Jesus died for the church 3. Jesus loves the church. Could anyone honestly say, in light of those matters we have studied thus far, that the church is not important to the salvation of man? That Jesus built, loves and gave himself for the church, so that men can be indifferent toward it?

Because The Saviour is the head His body 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).

“And hath put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be the head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fulness of Him that filleth all in all” (Ephesians 1:22-23).

“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).

Three verses that are so profound that none could miss the truth offered if we will just open our eyes and see: 1. Jesus is the head of the church, not the pope, some body of men who gather as a convention, or a synod. It is not a creed book or confession of faith. Christ alone is the head of the church that in all things He might have the preeminence. All authority resides with the head of the church (Matthew 28:18; I Peter 3:22). 2. The church is His body. Now this question, how many bodies are there? Why, there is only one body (Ephesians 4:4). Beloved, if the church is the body (and it is) and there is one body, how many churches are there? Just one! “Well,” says one, “I don’t agree with you on that”. No one will ever force another to agree with what is said at the Vale Road church of Christ; however, we will make you aware of whom you are in disagreement with. We did not write into the Bible that the church is the body and that there is but one body (Ephesians 4:4; I Corinthians 12:20). God did! So if you disagree, your disagreement is with God, not with us. Now, if that is the case, you need to be careful for that is an argument you absolutely cannot win (Acts 5:39). 3

3. Jesus is going to save the church. Of course He is, for the saved are in the church. If there is one saved person outside of the church, Jesus does not know it, for the saved are added to the church (Acts 2:47).

Because reconciliation unto God is in the church

“That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were afar off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. For He is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; Having abolished in His flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twine one new man, so making peace; and that He might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby” (Ephesians 2:12-16).

I want to narrow (for the sake of time) a section of scripture that offers so much for thought, just to the subject at hand. 1. What we use to be - without hope 2. What we can be - reconciled unto God 3. The place of reconciliation is the church – the one body Can one be saved outside of the church? No! The scriptures, inspired of God, reveals how vitally important the church is. The church is according to the eternal purpose of God and absolutely necessary for the salvation of man!

The last question is - how does one become a member of the New Testament church? 1. By hearing the gospel (Romans 10:17). 2. Believing the gospel (Mark 16:15-16). 3. Repenting of past sins (Luke 13:3). 4. Confessing Christ before men (Romans 10:10). 5. Being baptized for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38). 6. Then faithfully serving the Lord until your time is no more (Revelation 2:10).