The Church
The Church is simply the assembly of the “called out” one (Acts 2:47). Jesus Christ is the head of the church (Col. 1:18-19). Christians make up the membership of the church—called the body of Christ. Those who came together, obeying Christ command to tarry experience great power on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2: 2, 41).
Membership of Christ Apostolic Church WOSEM is open to people (men, women, young and old) of all nationalities as soon as they confess and accept the LORD JESUS CHRIST as their personal savior as prescribed in Romans 10:9. Admission to church membership is free.
Every born again Christian who claims membership is obligated to attend church regularly and actively participate in using his/her talents to the edification of the body of Christ (Hebrew 10:23-25, Genesis 14:20, 28:22, I Corinthians 29:14; I Corinthians 16:12; Hebrews 7:8-9, 11). This person should also follow the tenets of the church and complete a membership covenant (after taking a membership orientation class).
The Church is called the following:
The Body of Christ: Eph. 1:22-23, Col. 1:24
The Bride of Christ: Eph. 5:31-33, 2 Cor. 11:2-3, Rev 19:7
The Glory of God: Eph. 3:21, 2 Cor. 8:23
The House of God: Heb. 3:6, 1 Tim. 3:15, Heb. 10:21
The House of Christ: Heb. 3:6
The Habitation of God: Eph. 2:19-22, 1 Pet. 2:4-5
The Temple of God: 1 Cor. 3:16, 17
The Temple of the living God: 2 Cor. 6:16
God’s Building: 1 Cor. 3:9
God’s Husbandry: 1 Cor. 3:9
God’s Heritage: 1 Pet. 5:3;
The Church of God: Acts 20:28
The Spiritual House: 1 Pet. 2:5
The Light of the World: Matt. 5:14
The Pillar and Ground of Truth: 1 Tim. 3:15
In the beginning, mankind had a perfect relationship with God until the devil came to deceive mankind and put separation between God and His creations. This separation happened at the garden of Eden when Satan tricked Adam and Eve to disobey God. Since then there had been a great need to bring mankind back into good relationship with God. As a matter of love, it was God who devised a means for mankind to return to Him.
He offered us a classic salvation plan [1 John 3:12] by allowing the blood of His Son, Jesus Christ, to be shed in order to die on the cross to remove the separation that the sin of disobedience brought. All the people who accept this salvation plan are called Christians. So it is correct to say that salvation is the most important component in any Christian religion (John 3:16; Romans 6:23).
Sin is simply defined as ‘disobedience to God’s law.’ To sin is to displease God by doing, saying, or thinking anything other than what completely aligns with His WILL. Because of what went wrong at the garden, all mankind have naturally sinned and come short of the glory of God. [Rom. 3:23; 1 John 3:4; Eph. 2:5; Col. 2:13; Gal. 3:19; Rom. 3:10; Ps. 51:4].
How does sin affect mankind?
1. Sin separates human beings from God and His glory (Isa. 59:1-2).
2. It brings guilt (Ps. 51:3-4).
3. It enslaves (Rom. 6:17).
4. It brings spiritual death (Eph. 2:1).
5. It brings judgment and everlasting punishment (Matt. 25:46).
6. It grieves God (Gen. 6:5-7).
7. It brings condemnation (James 5:12).
I must be saved. This happens when I repent [have a change of heart] and accept God’s salvation plan for me. It happens as I accept Jesus as my Lord and Savior (Mat. 4:17; Mk. 1:15; 1 Tim. 2:5; 1 Jn. 1:7-9).
Salvation is the work of God by which He saves man from eternal doom of sin. In salvation He gives to man the riches of His grace which means eternal life now and forever. Salvation is the work of God and not a work of man for God. Salvation is “the new birth.” Jesus said to Nicodemus, “You must be born again” (John 3:3-7) the new birth is as much a birth as the natural birth. The only way to become a Christian is to be “born again.”
The meaning of salvation in the Hebrew and Greek implies the ideas of deliverance, safety, preservation, healing and soundness. Until a person receives Christ as Savior, that person is lost and has no assurance of deliverance, safety, etc. This work of Salvation was completed at the cross where Jesus died. It commences with the linking of the spirit of man with God’s Holy Spirit to make Him “alive unto God.” (Ephesians 2:1). The operation is called “new birth” or being “born again” because it is as though the individual has recompensed his/her life (II Corinthians 5:17).
Receiving salvation from the peril of sin is a step taken by faith and based on the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 10:9-10). Salvation requires a change of heart and only Jesus Christ can help change one’s heart. (II Corinthians 5:17; I John 4:20-21).
All sinners may receive salvation. God is always ready to forgive and forget our sins. Jesus says, “whosoever believes in Christ shall have everlasting life” (John 3:16). Your nationality, race, or age won’t matter. Jesus is ready to save you. To believe in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior is to have a new birth (i.e. to be BORN AGAIN).
A. New Birth:
When you accept Christ in your life as your Lord and Savior, you are considered a newborn baby (1 Peter 2:2; 1 Corinthians 5:11).
It is imperative you do three things:
1. Pray (1 Thessalonians 5:17; Philippians 4:6)
2. Study the word of God (II Timothy 2: 15)
3. Attend church regularly (Heb 10: 21-31).
B. Salvation is by grace (Eph. 2:8-9):
Grace means unmerited favor. By grace, we have access to God. We are not saved by our works but through the work on the cross of Jesus Christ. He decided to die for our sins not because we deserved it but because He loved us and wished to do all things possible to reconcile us.
C. Salvation is only through Jesus Christ (John 14:6):
Christ is the only WAY, the TRUTH & the LIFE. No one can get to God, the Father, except through Jesus Christ. Please note that being a Christian does not prevent you from trials and tribulations (Philippians 4:7; Psalms 121; Nehemiah 8:10; Philippians 3:13, 19-20). But God delivers his people from all afflictions.
BIBLE, the name commonly used to designate the
thirty-nine books of the Old Testament and the twenty-seven books of the New Testament. These sixty-six books constitute a divine library that is nevertheless, in a vital sense, one Book.
It is regarded as the depository and authoritative record of God’s revelations of Himself and of His will to the fathers by the prophets and through His Son to the church of a later age (Heb 1:1-2).) We believe that the Holy Bible is the Word of God, immutable, infallible, unchangeable, steadfast, and is authored by the Lord God.
We believe that it was written by holy men of old as they were moved upon by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit; that it is the road map of believers from this wilderness to their final destination; it is the only true dictionary that defines the beginning and the destiny of human race; the lighted lamp to guide the feet of the lost world from the depths of sin and sorrow to the heights of righteousness and glory; a plumb line to make straight the life of each individual and community; a sharp two-edged sword to convict us of our sins and evil doings.
We believe it is the only true ground of Christian fellowship and unity; the corrective measure for disordered society; the distance thunder of wrath and retribution that shall overtake the stubborn; the final tribunal by which all nations, tribes, creed & kingdoms will be tried; the ground for peaceful, eternal Kingdom.
The Bible is the authoritative Word of God because He settles the Word in Heaven (Ps 119:89). The authority of the Bible is in the Bible. One of the most important evidences of authority is also the simplest because the Bible is its own proof. There is no higher authority. The teaching of Jesus is highest authority in reference to the Bible.
These basic references explain the authority of the scriptures. Basic Scriptures: (Ps. 119; Isa 40:6-8; Matt. 5:17-19, 19:4-5, 22:29-32, Luke 24:25-32; Jn. 10:35, Rom. 15:4, 16:26, Gal. 3:8, 1 Tim. 5:18).
If the above definition explains the importance of the Bible, all Christians must love to study it for growth and spiritual development.