A survey of the Bible must of necessity deal with the purpose, establishment, and organization of the Lord's church, for it was in God's eternal plan (Eph. 3:9-11). The presence of a multitude of different churches attests to the fact that there is much confusion and disagreement as to the question of the church. Which church is right? Of which church should we be members? These questions must be answered, not on the basis of our own feelings or wisdom (Isa. 55:8-9), but rather on the foundation of what the Bible says concerning the church.

I. Will Members Of Only One Church Be Saved?

  The Church Of Itself Can Save No One.

1.  God did not make the church the savior; Christ is. However, this must not be misunderstood to mean church membership is unimportant, for it is.

2.  The dividing factor between the saved and the lost is stated by Jesus: "HE THAT DOETH THE WILL OF MY FATHER WHICH IS IN HEAVEN" Matt. 7:21-23.

a.  Obviously, not everyone will be saved, Matt. 7:13-14.

b.  Who do you believe will be lost? Would you agree with Jesus, "NOT EVERYONE THAT SAITH UNTO ME, LORD, LORD, SHALL ENTER INTO THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN"?

B.  Are All Churches Built By Jesus Christ? Matt. 16:18

1.  Many people have the feeling that one church is as good as another. Had the N.T. revealed more than one, this conclusion would be justified.

2.  However, the N.T. teaches of only one body, Rom. 12:4-5; I Cor. 12:27.

a.  The body is the church, Eph. 1:22-23; Col. 1:18, 24.

b.  There are as many bodies as Lords, Eph. 4:4-6.

C.  Division Has Never Been Accepted By God On Any Basis.

1.  God is not the author of confusion, I Cor. 14:33.

2.  The Lord prayed for unity that the world may believe, John 17:20-21.

3.  Christians were reproved for division, I Cor. 1:10-13.

4.  We should seek only that men be added to the Lord's church (Acts 2:47), and our efforts should be to preserve unity in this body of believers. This is the way to practice undenominational Christianity. To accomplish this, denominational traditions which divide us must be abolished, and in their place we must unite on a "thus saith the Lord" for every belief and practice.