NARROW?

Churches of Christ (Rom 16:16) constitute the one “bride of Christ” (Eph 5:22-33). She wears His name. All people are required to obey the God of heaven in order to be saved. He then “adds” all these saved to His one church (Acts 2:36-47). Faithful preachers and teachers insist that all who would be saved must obey this gospel, and not tamper with God’s word and invent new churches, creeds, baptisms, doctrines and religions. They insist that it is possible and necessary to go back behind all man-made denominational creeds and catechisms and to be simply a Christian, a member of the predenominational church. Affirming this truth has brought down upon members of churches of Christ a great deal of abuse and ridicule. In our age of I’m OK, You’re OK mentality, anything that appears narrow and exclusive is branded and dismissed as “intolerant and judgmental” (Mt 7:13-14). A simple examination of the New Testament reveals that the church revealed is Christ’s church, built and purchased by Him with His own blood (Mt 16:18; Eph 5:25; Acts 20:28). Truthisnarrowandexclusionary. God’s command to Adam had one restriction (Gen 2:17 – 3:5). Satan took exception and urged Eve to commit the world’s first sin.

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