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“The Faith” and “The
Church”
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Folks today are
being misled when they are told to just choose a church and faith of
their choice. To assist us in distinguishing between error and
truth, this article takes a look at “the faith” and
“the church.”
The Faith.
Jude penned “I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you
to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to
the saints” (Jude 3). Notice he said “the
faith,” not a faith. Paul encouraged new converts to
“to continue in the faith” (Acts 14:22). “The
faith” is objective and pertains specifically to God’s
revealed word unto man (Eph. 3:3-5). Folks believe in many
things, but only “the faith” is the truth (Jn. 17:17) and
able to save us (Rom. 1:16).
The Church.
Jesus declared, “I will build My church” (Mt. 16:18).
A reading of Acts 2:47 reveals, “the Lord added to the church
daily those who were being saved.” The Bible does not talk about
“a” church but “the” church. Paul said
there is just “one body” (Eph. 4:4). What is
the “one body?” Paul penned Christ “is the head
of the body, the church.” The Bible does not talk about
“a church,” but “the church,” the church that
was purchased with the blood of Christ (Acts 20:28). The
importance of “the church” is seen in that salvation is
found in the church (2 Tim. 2:10; Gal. 3:27; 1 Cor. 12:13).
Everything there is to know about “the faith” and
“the church” is revealed in the Bible. Therefore,
it’s vital we study to know the truth!
~ Keith Welch
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