And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation. Revelation 5:9
The old saying “birds of a feather flock together” is one of the most accurate. It has been my observation that we naturally gravitate to those with whom we share an interest and or goals. The places and people we associate ourselves with voluntarily often define us. For example, starting this Friday, high school stadiums will be filled with those involved with football. In a few weeks, nature lovers will flock to parks and other such areas to take in the cooler weather and changing colors of the countryside. We understand this principle, especially in the aforementioned settings. So, what does the Bible say about where saved people are located?
Sadly, many convince themselves they are saved and have very little to no interest in the church. Scripture is plain that the saved are in the church. Acts 2:47 states, “Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved”. The saved have been added to the church and the church is made up of the saved!
Jesus shed his blood to establish His church. We, through obedience, are members and in Christ is salvation. Acts 4:12 reads, “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved”. We can read from inspired scripture and see in our own lives that, since the proclamation Peter made, men have resisted the notion that to be saved one must be in Christ. They especially resist the idea of faithfulness (1 Cor 15:58). It is amazing that people want to proclaim themselves as Christian people yet have nothing to do with the church which was the focus of our Lord’s purpose while here on earth (Matt. 16:18-19).
Ephesians 5:23 informs us that Christ is not only the head but the savior of the body. In Ephesians 1, we learn the church is His body and His body the church. The church by definition are those called out of sin and into Christ (Col 1:13).
Saved people today reside where the saved have since Pentecost in Acts 2. In the church! The same in which Jesus shed blood for and we are added to by the Lord if we obey.
By Jason Barger