Ephesians 4:4 says, "There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling." In Ephesians 1:22-23 we learn that the church is the body of Christ, and that Christ is the head. We now ask, "How many bodies or churches has the Son of God on earth? Paul plainly says, "there is one body" (Eph. 4:4). This one body, he tells us, is the church. We then, of necessity, conclude that there is one, and only one, church of divine origin.

As almost all organizations on earth have some head, either human or divine, it is a matter of serious thought that every intelligent person should ask himself, "Is the church of which I am a member of human or of divine origin?"

If it is of divine origin, let us thank God and take courage. If human, let us remember that Jesus said, "Every plant which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up" (Matt. 15:13). No intelligent man or woman can plead ignorance nor offer excuses why he is not a member of the church of Christ, rather than some human organization. Every church, whether human or divine, has its standard of measurement by which all members can measure themselves, and know to what church they belong. A few illustrations will make this clear.

A church claims to be founded not upon divine authority, but upon the experience of a long series of years, If a man wants to be a member of this church, he can ask himself, "Do I believe the 25 articles of religion?" "Am I trying to live up to them?" His answer to these questions will easily decide for him whether he is a member of that body.

Another man may have a different standard containing only 18 articles of faith, and find out whether he is a member of that church founded upon that standard.

But a third man, seeking for the truth, wanting nothing but the word of God, takes none of these standards of measurement, but simply clings to the word of God as his only rule of faith and practice. In so doing, he becomes a member of that one body we read about in the Bible.

When did Christ become head of the church? Paul tells us that it was when God raised Him from the dead (Eph. 1:20-22). Then, if you or I belong to a church that claims an organization prior to the resurrection of Christ, it is not the church of Christ, but is of human origin. And it does not contain the blessings of salvation nor eternal life.

At that time, after Christ's resurrection, it was proclaimed to the world that Christ had been crucified and had shed His blood for our sins. That is the blood of the spiritual body of Christ. As we expect forgiveness only in the shed blood of the Son of God, no one can go further back than the time when He shed His blood and established His church without introducing the blood of bulls and goats, for they were the only shed blood then, and by them no one could ever be justified (Heb. 10:4).

All members are component parts of the body to which they belong, and the body must contain all the parts. Each member draws its life from the body of which it is a member. No member can live when cut off from the body. Neither can a man live a Christian life outside the church of Jesus Christ.

Just as well talk about a live finger, a living foot, a strong arm, or a growing limb when cut off from the body, as to talk about a child of God outside the church of Jesus Christ. These members are all Christians — nothing more, nothing less. They are brethren in Christ, governed by the law of the Spirit, and members of His body, doing the work He has commanded them to do.

All living bodies, whether natural or spiritual, are brought into existence by a process of law, and are perpetuated by principles of law. To this rule, there can be no exception. So it is in becoming members of the church of Christ. We are all made members — are made free — by "the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus" (Rom. 8:2). This law is also called the "New Covenant" and established upon better promises than the old (Heb. 8).

"The law of the Spirit" teaches me that I must hear the gospel of the Son of God; that I must have faith in Jesus; must repent of my sins; must confess Christ before men; and must be baptized to arise and walk in newness of life. After that, I must "live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world" (Titus 2:12) that I may finally enter into that rest that remains to the people of God.

But, what church should this be, and what name should it wear? Christ said, "Upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it" (Matt. 16:18). Luke says that God, "added to the church daily such as should be saved" (Acts 2:47). To which church did the Lord add the saved? Paul says it was the church of God at Corinth (1 Cor. 1:2) and the churches of Christ in Asia.

No where did Paul ever write a letter to the Mormon, Campbellite, Baptist, or Methodist churches. Then, if we are members of any of these institutions, let us remember that they were founded by man — not by God.

Can we go back to the fountainhead, believe the same things, obey the same commands, and let the Lord add us to His church as He did people nearly 2,000 year ago? If we can, will it not be better to do this and let the Lord add us to His church, and serve him, than it will be to spend our time and usefulness in a church not found in the word of the Lord?

Remember, our zeal, earnestness, and work will do us no good if not on the right foundation. The foolish — as well as the wise man — built his house (Matt. 7:21). But he was not careful as to his foundation. Then be wise and build upon the one foundation that will never fall and, finally, with God you shall forever dwell.

J D Tant