The Rejected Christ — No. 2
In this article we shall point out some additional ways in which our Lord is rejected.
First, His church is rejected for human churches. In Matt. 16:18 we read the Lord's promise to build His church. To Peter He said, "Thou art Peter and upon this rock I will build my church." Please observe that He said nothing about building "your" church, nor the different churches. He promised to build His church. On the first Pentecost following His resurrection this promised church was established, and men were added thereto.
Moreover, He purchased His church with His own blood. To the elders of the church at Ephesus Paul said, "Take heed unto yourself and to all the flock over which the Holy Spirit hath made you overseers, to feed the church of the Lord, which he hath purchased with his own blood." (Acts 20:28) Our Lord left heavens glory, came to this land of sorrow and woe, suffered, bled and died, and with His blood He purchased the church. Yet men today despise and reject this divine institution.
People today are joining churches that you can read absolutely nothing about in the New Testament. They are giving their time, talent and money to man made institutions. Friends investigate, is the church of which you are a member mentioned in the Bible? Are you a member of the church built by Christ? If not, then salvation cannot be yours. Only those in the church are saved for the same thing that saves, makes one a member of the church. This is evident from Acts 2:47 where we read that the "Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved," hence if saved you are in the church. If you are not in the church you are not saved.
The church of Christ is the body of Christ. "And gave him to be the head over all things to the church, which is his body." (Eph. 1:22-23) "There is one body." (Eph. 4:4) From these passages all fair-minded individuals will conclude that the church and the body are the same. In Eph. 2:16 we learn that we are "reconciled to God in one body." This body is the church; hence, we are reconciled to God in the church. It follows then that if we are out of the church we are out of the body, if out of the body we are not reconciled, if not reconciled we are lost. Hence, if we are out of the church we are lost. To reject the church built by Christ is to reject salvation. Are you rejecting Him by rejecting His church?
Again, His plan of worship has been rejected for human plans. In Acts 2:42, we have a brief statement concerning the worship of the early church. "And they continued steadfastly in the apostles doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread and in prayers." This passage shows the regularity of their worship. In Acts 20:7 we read, "And upon the first day of the week when the disciples came together to break bread Paul preached unto them." These passages show that while the early Christians met and worshipped on other days, they specifically kept the first day of the week as a day of worship.
On the Lord's day true worship consists of five items: giving, singing, prayer, communion, and teaching. This is the plan of worship that pleases the Lord. It does not however, please men, for they have rejected and departed from this simple plan. Instead of observing the Lord's Supper on the first day of every week, they observed it quarterly, semi-annually, annually. It is also observed by many on Thursday evening before Easter. The Lord's plan for financing the church has been rejected. This plan is briefly stated in 1 Cor. 16:1-2, "Upon the first day of the week let everyone of you lay by him in store as God hath prospered him." This plan has been rejected. Hence, we see the various churches having pie suppers, mock weddings, raffles and things of a similar nature in order to raise money to defray their expenses. Men have also made additions to the music that God has appointed. The only kind of music God ever ordained in Christian worship is vocal music. Men have rejected this plan and have added the instrument. In addition prayers are not prayed in the name of Christ. The teachings of the apostles have been neglected.
Again, the Lord's plan of salvation has been rejected. The Lord's plan is found in the three accounts of the great commission. From these accounts we learn that one must believe, repent and be baptized to be saved. In the second chapter of the book of Acts we find the commission being executed for the first time. On this occasion, Peter, being filled with the Holy Spirit, tells the old old story for the first time. He preaches Christ crucified to the crucifiers. Strange story to them. But evidence is presented, proving that He arose, and is now at the right hand of God. "When they heard this they were pricked in their heart and cried out saying men and brethren what shall we do?" "And Peter said unto them repent and be baptized everyone of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of your sins." (Acts 2:31-38) That day about three thousand were baptized and added to the church. Now what did these people do in being saved? They obeyed the plain commands of our Savior as recorded in the Great Commission. They heard the gospel, believed it, repented of their sins, and were baptized for the remission of the same. If people today desire to be saved they need do only the same things they did. Is not that a simple plan? Yet, men have rejected it, and on every hand you hear men teaching a different plan of salvation.
Be not deceived. The doctrines of men will not save. (Matt. 15:9) Do not reject the Lord's plan of salvation.