The question under consideration has long been one of dispute. The popular idea is that we are first saved, and then we join the church. This has led some to conclude that they can stay home, read their Bible, pray, live a good moral life, etc., and go to heaven without being a member of the church. Is this true? I say the Bible says "no," and I base this on the following considerations:

I. THE CROSS OF CHRIST SAYS "NO."
A. The cross of our Lord is directly related to the subject of the church.
1. Acts 20:28.
2. Ephesians 2:16.
B. Did our Lord shed His precious blood to purchase a non-essential thing?
C. We cannot separate the blood, the cross and the church!

II. THE DESCRIPTIVE LANGUAGE SAYS "NO."
A. The church means "the called out" (Matthew 16:18; 1 Corinthians 3:11; Matthew 7:24-27).

B. The church is the body of Christ (Ephesians 1:22-23; Colossians 1:18).
C. The church is the kingdom of Christ (Colossians 1:13; Hebrews 12:28; John 18:36).
D. The church is the household of faith (Galatians 6:10; 1 Timothy 3:15; Romans 8:17)
E. The church is the temple of the Lord (1 Corinthians 3:16-17; Ephesians 2:20-23).

III. THE PROPHET ISAIAH SAYS "NO."
A. Isaiah prophesied that "salvation would be in Zion" (Isaiah 46:13; 2:2-3).
B. The Hebrew writer identifies Zion with the church (Hebrews 12:22-23).
1. "Which are written in heaven." Who are these? The church.
2. If not written in heaven, then you are lost! (Revelation 20:15; 21:27).
C. The prophet answered the question 2700 years ago!

IV. THE TYPOLOGY OF THE BIBLE SAYS "NO."
A. The tabernacle is said to be a pattern of the church (Hebrews 3:4-6; 8:4-6).
1. The "most holy place" was a type of heaven (Hebrews 9:24).
2. The "holy place" was a type of the church.
3. You could not get to the "most holy place" but one way (John 14:6).
B. Christ is said to be our "high priest" (Hebrews 3:1).
1. He is the "high priest over the house of God" (Hebrews 10:21)
2. The "house of God" is the church (1 Timothy 3:15).
3. He is now in God's presence for us [the church] (Hebrews 9:24; 7:25).
C. Christ does not function as the high priest over the world!

V. THE PLAN OF SALVATION SAYS "NO."
A. The Lord gave this plan before His ascension (Mark 16:15-16; Luke 24:46-47).
1. It was to bring salvation to the soul (Romans 6:16-18; 1 Peter 1:22).
2. To disobey brings doom (2 Thessalonians 1:7-9).
B. It was to preach with great results on Pentecost (Acts 2:37-41).
C. Those who obeyed were added by the Lord to the church.
1. This was an executive act...not something other members decided!
2. There were no exceptions to the rule...no saved left outside!
3. Thus it harmonizes scripture proving that the same process that saved one added them to the church (Galatians 3:26-27; 1 Corinthians 12:13).
My friend, Jesus is the only Savior (Acts 4:12). When He saves folks, He adds them to His church (Acts 2:47). Therefore, let none of us who are saved think we can do without membership in the church. Friend, we must conclude that the church is not a religious luxury, but a divine necessity for everyone's life.-104 Calhoun Avenue, Sylacauga, AL 35150