3. Lesson 1 - The Church: Its Significance Lesson 2 - The Church: Its Usage Lesson 3 - The Church: Its Sound Speech Lesson 4 - The Church: Its Establishment, Lesson 5 - The Church: Is It To Be Joined? Lesson 6 - The Church: Its Identity Lesson 7 - The Church: Its Unity Lesson 8 - The Church: Is the Church Denominational? Lesson 9 - The Church: Its Organization Lesson 10 - The Church: Its Elders, Their Qualifications Lesson 11 -The Church: Its Elders, How They Are Made and Unmade Lesson 12 -The Church: Its Elders, Their Duties Lesson 13 -The Church: Its Deacons, Their Qualifications and Duties Lesson 14 -The Church: The Preacher, His Life and Duties Lesson 15 - The Church: Its Discipline Lesson 16 - The Church: Its Finances Lesson 17 - The Church: Its Supper Lesson 18 - The Church: Its Music, Lesson 19 - The Church: Its Mission Lesson 20 - The Church: The Model Church

4. LESSON 5 The Church: Is it to be joined?  Many do not know what to do when they find the true church. Stay, Go, or just visit, what?  People do not have a full comprehension of what to do with the true church!  Does the Bible talks about joining the true church?

5. Is the true church to be joined by those who has been baptized for the remission of their sins?

6. THE ISSUE 1. Is there an example or command in the New Testament for joining the church? a. If so, where? If not, can one scripturally join the church? b. How does one know the Lord (1Jno. 2:3, 4)? c. What is the purpose of examples (1 Pet. 2:21)? To what extent are they to be imitated (1 Cor. 4:6a,? d. By example or command can the church be joined? 1 John 2:3-4 (NKJV) 3 Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. 4 He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 1 Peter 2:21 (NKJV) 21 For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: 1 Corinthians 4:6 “6 Now these things, brethren, I have figuratively transferred to myself and Apollos for your sakes,…”

7. THE ISSUE 2. Explain Paul’s desire to “join himself to the disciples” (Acts 9:26)? a. Did Paul want to join the Jerusalem church? b. When did Paul become a member of the church (Acts 22:16)? c. How long had Paul been preaching at this time (Gal. 1:17,18)? 3. The word “join” is used eleven times in the New Testament. Show from these references it never refers to joining the church (Mt. 19:6; Mk. 10:9; Lk. 15:15; Acts 5:13, 36; 8:29; 9:26; 18:7; 1 Cor. 6:16, 17; Eph. 5:31). Acts 9:26 26 And when Saul had come to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples; but they were all afraid of him, and did not believe that he was a disciple. Acts 22:16 16 And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.’ Matthew 19:6 6 So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.” 1 Corinthians 6:16 16 Or do you not know that he who is joined to a harlot is one body with her? For “the two,” He says, “shall become one flesh.” 17 But he who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with Him.

8. CHURCH MEMBERSHIP IS A DIVINE RIGHT 1. Who adds to the church (Acts 2:41, 47)? When did God add these people to the church (Acts 2:38, 41, 47)? 2. Who sets the members in the body (1 Cor. 12:18)? a. But what is the body (1 Cor. 12:27; Col. 1:18)? b. When did God set the Corinthians in the body (1 Cor. 12:13)? c. Who adds all the saved to the church (Acts 2:41, 47b)? If after one is added, what if he joins another (Mt. 15:13)? Acts 2:41, 47 (NKJV) 41 Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved Acts 2:38 38 Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 1 Corinthians 12:18 18 But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body just as He pleased. 1 Corinthians 12:27 27 Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually. Colossians 1:18 18 And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence. 1 Corinthians 12:13 13 For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink into one Spirit. Acts 2:47 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved. Matthew 15:13 13 But He answered and said, "Every plant which My heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted.

9. 1. What does the word “church” mean? “The called out.” When one is called out, by the gospel, what is he (2 Thess. 2:14; 1:1)? 2. In whom are all redeemed (Eph 1:7; Col. 1:14)? a. When is one redeemed (Gal. 3:26, 27)? b. But what did God do for those baptized (Acts 2:41, 47)? Then are not all redeemed ones members of the church? GOD GIVES MEMBERSHIP TO ALL THE SAVED 2 Thessalonians 2:14 (NKJV) 14 to which He called you by our gospel, for the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 1:7 (NKJV) 7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace Colossians 1:14 (NKJV) 14 in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins. Galatians 3:26- 27 (NKJV) 26 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. Acts 2:41, 47 (NKJV) 41 Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.

10. 3. In whom are all reconciled (2 Cor. 5:18)? a. God reconciled Jews and Gentiles in what (Eph. 2:15, 16)? b. But what is the body of Christ (Eph. 1:22, 23; Col. 1:18)? c. How do all get into the body of Christ (1 Cor. 12:13)? Then, are not all the reconciled members of the church? GOD GIVES MEMBERSHIP TO ALL THE SAVED 2 Corinthians 5:18 (NKJV) 18 Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, Ephesians 2:15-16 (NKJV) 15 having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, 16 and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity. Ephesians 1:22-23 (NKJV) 22 And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, 23 which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all 1 Corinthians 12:13 (NKJV) 13 For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink into one Spirit.

11. 4. What is the house of God (1 Tim. 3:15)? a. What is meant by “house” in Acts 16:31, 32; 1 Cor. 1:16? b. What then is the “house of God” in 1 Tim. 3:15? c. Does God have any children out of his family, or his “house”? GOD GIVES MEMBERSHIP TO ALL THE SAVED 1 Timothy 3:15 (NKJV) 15 but if I am delayed, I write so that you may know how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth. Acts 16:31 - 32 (NKJV) 31 So they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.” 32 Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. 1 Corinthians 1:16 (NKJV) 16 Yes, I also baptized the household of Stephanas. Besides, I do not know whether I baptized any other. 1 Timothy 3:15 (NKJV) 15 but if I am delayed, I write so that you may know how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.

12. d. Since the church is the family of God, are not all the saved in this family? Then does it not follow, all the saved are in the church. e. Does one “join” his fleshly family, or does he have a birthright into it? f. When is one born into the family of God (Jno. 3:5)? g. When then does one become a member of the church, God’s family? GOD GIVES MEMBERSHIP TO ALL THE SAVED John 3:5 (NKJV) 5 Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.

13. THE VITAL QUESTION 1. What inquiry did the people on the Day of Pentecost make (Acts 2:37)? a. What were they told to do to be saved (Acts 2:38)? b. Why were they not told to join the church (Acts 2:41, 47)? 2. What did the penitent Saul ask Jesus (Acts 9:6)? a. What was the answer to his inquiry (Acts 9:6, 18; 22:16)? b. Why was he not told to join the church (Acts 2:41, 47)? Acts 2:37 (NKJV) 37 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” Acts 2:38 (NKJV) 38 Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:41,47 (NKJV) 41 Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved. Acts 9:6 (NKJV) 6 So he, trembling and astonished, said, “Lord, what do You want me to do?” Then the Lord said to him, “Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” Acts 9:6, 18 (NKJV) 6 So he, trembling and astonished, said, “Lord, what do You want me to do?” Then the Lord said to him, “Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” 18 Immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he received his sight at once; and he arose and was baptized. Acts 22:16 (NKJV) 16 And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.’ Acts 2:41,47 (NKJV) 41 Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.

14. 3. What did the Jailor ask? What was he told to do (Acts 16:30-34)? This obedience made him a member of what (Phil. 1:1; 4:15)? 4. What, therefore, is the vital question to settle (Acts 16:30)? THE VITAL QUESTION Acts 16:30-34 (NKJV) 30 And he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” 31 So they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.” 32 Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. 33 And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their stripes. And immediately he and all his family were baptized. 34 Now when he had brought them into his house, he set food before them; and he rejoiced, having believed in God with all his household. Philippians 1:1 (NKJV) 1 Paul and Timothy, bondservants of Jesus Christ, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, with the bishops and deacons: Philippians 4:15 (NKJV) 15 Now you Philippians know also that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church shared with me concerning giving and receiving but you only. Acts 16:30 30 And he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”