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Can We Be Saved Out Of The Church?

Ephesians 5:22

Proposition: The church Is the body of the saved. None are saved out of the church.

Objective: To show the Bible teaching concerning the importance of the church.

Introduction: Most people who do not know the truth believe you can be saved outside the church. If we are willing to be guided by what the Bible teaches then the church makes up the body of the saved.

1. The Church Of Christ And Denominations.
   1. Nearly all agree that God has a kingdom which is a spiritual kingdom (Matt 7:21; Col. 1:13).
   2. The church and the kingdom are the same (Matt 16:16-18); the church being a "called out body" (1 Pet. 2:9-10); translated into the kingdom of Christ (Col. 1:12-13).
   3. The word church is used In the Bible to designate the redeemed as a whole (Matt 16:18; Eph. 5:22-23; Col. 1:18); and a local congregation (1 Cor. 1:2).
   4. There is but "one body" (Eph. 4:4; 1 Cor. 12:12; Col. 1:18); therefore, there Is but one church.
   5. Yet a denomination Is a religious body larger than a local congregation; but not containing all the redeemed. Such is unknown in the New Testament and is condemned (1 Cor. 1:10-11).
   6. Can one be saved outside a denomination?
      1. Denominationalists themselves say, "Yes." Does a man have to be in a denomination to stay saved?" All agree the answer is "No!" Then a denomination is not a "saved body." Why be in that which causes divisions?
      2. If denominations are so important and God approves them, then which denomination were the Apostles members of? Which denomination did Paul join? Or those baptized on Pentecost- which one were they members of? None And we all know it -They belonged to the church promised by Christ (Matt. 16:18), and God added them to It (Acts 2:47).
2. Salvation Is Found Only In The Church-Not Outside Of It.
   1. The law of pardon Is the law of induction into the church.
      1. Acts 2 people heard, believed, repented and were baptized. They received the remission of sins. They were added to the church (Acts 2:47).
      2. Acts 18:8 people heard, believed, repented and were baptized, therefore, they were saved (Mk. 16:16). Paul called them the "one body" at Corinth (1 Cor. 12). He said they were the church (I Cor. 1:2).
      3. There is a "law of the Spirit," to which Paul submitted (Rom. 8:1-2); which puts one Into Christ (Gal. 3:26-27); but Christ and the church are one (Eph. 5:31-33), therefore, to be in Christ is to be in the church, for the church Is the fullness of Christ (Eph. 1:23). This law is easily verified by every case of conversion In the New Testament
   2. The church in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ (1 Thess. 1:1).
      1. Those in Christ and God constitute the church (I Thess. 1:1). Salvation is in Christ (2 Tim. 2:10); therefore, those enjoying the salvation in Christ, are those In the church of Christ
      2. Man is made full in Christ (Col. 2:10); it is the church that is In Christ (1 Thess. 1:1); therefore, those enjoying this fullness constitute the church in God in Christ
      3. If a man is saved he is saved with God and Christ for salvation is in them!
   3. The church is the fullness of Christ (Eph. 1:22-23).
      1. Perhaps this Is the greatest statement in the Bible about the church.
      2. If the church is the fullness of Christ and salvation is In Christ, how could one be saved out of the church?
      3. Yet no denomination claims to be the fullness of Christ!
   4. The church and the world.
      1. The church Is of God (1 Thess. 1:1; Col. 1:13-14).
      2. The world lieth In the evil one (1 Jno. 3:19).
      3. The world Is to be condemned, but escape is found in God (1 Cor. 11:32).
      4. Therefore, one Is either in God in the church, or is in the world and condemned!
   5. Fruit-bearing.
      1. God is glorified In bearing much fruit (Jno. 15:8).
      2. Fruit is borne only in Christ (Jno. 13:4-6).
      3. But Christ and the church are one (Eph. 5:31-32).
      4. Therefore, cannot bear fruit to God's glory outside the church (Eph. 3:20-21).

Conclusion:

• If Christ and the church are one as husband and wife are one, how could one claim kinship to Christ and not to the bride?
• If you want to be saved become a member of Christ's church. Obey the gospel and God will add you to His church, the only one that contains the saved and the only one the Bible speaks of. Christ saves us but He saves us through the church, His body.