The following article was written for the 2004 Bellview Lectures

"WHY STAND YE HERE ALL

Since the church is the called out, into what is one called? One is called into salvation (Acts 2:47; 2 Thes. 2:13,14). One is called into Christ, into the church. Salvation is in Christ (2 Tim. 2:10; Eph. 5:23). One cannot be in Christ without being in His church. One is baptized into Christ (Gal. 3:27); one is also baptized into Christ’s body (1 Cor. 12:13). The body is the church (Col. 1:18; Eph. 1:22-23). Therefore, to be in Christ is to be in His body, His church. There is no such thing as one being saved and later becoming a member of the Lord’s church. Therefore those who say that one can be saved out of the church just do not know what the church is. One is called into sanctification (1 Cor. 1:2). To be sanctified is simply to be set apart (Exo. 13:2-12). This takes place when one obeys the gospel of Christ (John 17:17; Heb. 2:11; 13:12; 1 Cor. 6:9-11). One is called into fellowship with God, Christ, the Holy Spirit and saints (1 John 1:7; Acts 2:42). One is called into life (John 5:24; Eph. 2:1). One is called into all spiritual blessings (Eph. 1:3). One is called into the light (Col. 1:13,14; I John 1:7-10).

The word "church" is used in the universal sense. The New Testament church is composed of all the saved throughout the whole world. When Jesus spoke of building His church (Matt. 16:18) He was speaking of the church in the universal sense. It was to this church to which the three thousand were added on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:41,47). Relative to the church universal there is no functioning government on earth (Zech. 6:13).

The word church is used in the local sense in the Scriptures. The New Testament speaks of the church in the local setting such as the church at Antioch, the church at Ephesus or the church at Corinth. Christians in a given geographical area work together as a local congregation. There is no sort of ecclesiastical tie that organically binds all local congregations into a highly centralized organization. Therefore, each local congregation is autonomous. Therefore, the church is not a denomination. The church is not a material house or building (Acts 17:24), but a spiritual house (1 Pet. 2:5,9; 1 Tim. 3:15).

The church of Christ is the body of Christ. Here is the organization of the church. Here one sees its unity and fellowship. Jesus is the head of the body (Col. 1:18; Eph. 1:22-23; 1 Cor. 12:12-27). The head is the seat of government. There are many members of the body, each member is important and each has his particular function (Rom. 12:4-5; I Cor. 12:12; Eph. 4:16). The body and head are inseparable. Injury of one member of the physical body is felt by others, and the head (I Cor. 12:24-27).

The church of Christ is the vineyard of the Lord. Here one sees its work. Labor is necessary to salvation (Phil. 2:12-13; Acts 2:40). Where one works is important (Matt.21:28-30). Laborers were hired into the vineyard (Matt. 20:1-16). The household went out early in the morning. This implies the importance of the work. There is nothing as important as the Lord’s work (Matt. 6:33). The householder went out to hire laborers. He did not try to scare them into his vineyard; a scared man will make a really poor workman. He did not try to force them into his vineyard. He did not try to get people into the kingdom by coercion. He went out to hire laborers, he did not want loafers or shirkers; there is no place in the kingdom of God for a lazy person. The householder went out to hire laborers into his vineyard. Therefore, it makes a difference where the work is done.

What is the relationship of the church of Christ to Christ? The church of Christ is the bride of Christ. Here one sees the purity of the church. When one is married, he goes through the process of being married. Christ has but one bride. Christ condemned polygamy (Matt. 19:1-12). Did He preach one thing and practice another? Does He have a plurality of wives? NO! As the bride forsakes all others and keeps herself unto her husband, unto him alone, so should the church keep herself unto Christ and unto him alone. The church should keep herself ever separate from the world (Rom. 12:1,2; 2 Cor. 6:14,17). She must not become a part of the world, or flirt with the world (1 John 2:15-17; James 4:4). Here in this metaphor one especially sees portrayed the purity of the church (Eph. 5:27). The very nature and character of the church demands its purity. Every person that obeys the gospel of Christ is made pure by the blood of the Lamb (1 Peter 1:18,19; Rev. 1:5). The church should be kept pure because the salvation of the lost demands it (Matt. 5:13-16). Influence is something that all have (Rom. 14:7). Influence is either good or bad (Matt. 12:30). The church should be kept pure because of its oneness with Christ. The church is united with Christ (I Cor. 12:27; Eph. 5:30). It would be ridiculous to take the members of Christ and dedicate them to sinful purposes (1 Cor. 6:15,16). The church should be kept pure because the destiny of the church demands it (Rev. 19:7-9; 21:27).

The church of Christ is the household of God. Here one sees the family relationship of Christ and the church. This is His household (Eph. 2:19). This is His house (1 Tim. 3:15). Christ is over the house (Heb. 3:6). God is the Father (Eph. 3:14; 4:6; 1 Cor. 8:6; Matt. 6:9; 23:9; Heb. 12:9). All Christians are God’s children (Gal. 3:26-29; 4:6-7; Rom. 8:14-16).

The church of Christ is incomparably greater than all human institutions. The church of Christ is greater than all human institutions because God is the one Who planned and purposed the church from before the foundation of the world (Eph. 3:10-11; 2 Tim.1:9). The church of Christ is greater than all human institutions because Christ is its builder. Jesus promised to build His church (Matt. 16:13-19). The church of Christ is greater than all human institutions because Christ is the head of the church (Col. 1:18; Eph. 1:22-23). The church of Christ is greater than all human institutions because Christ is its savior (Eph. 5:23).