IDENTIFYING THE LORDS CHURCH

When thousands responded to the invitation to "repent and be baptized," the Lord added them together.  Every day He continued to add the saved to His church (Acts 2:38-47).  Early believers devoted themselves to "the apostles' teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread and prayer."  The apostles' teaching (New Testament) is the guide for determining what God requires (1 John 4:6; 2 Timothy 1:13).   Fellowship provides bonding, for each Christian needs friends to encourage him.   The Lords Supper (breaking of bread) is to be at the core of worship each Sunday.   Prayer enables one to receive God's strength, guidance and protection. 

The church described in the Bible was undenominational - its boundaries wide enough to include all the saved.  It was not to be divided into conflicting sects (1 Corinthians 1:10).  Following the teaching of scripture, faithful Christians will embrace all the Bible, rejecting man-made laws.  They will observe the Lords Supper each Sunday (Acts 20:7), praise God in singing without instruments of music (Ephesians 5:19), give freely (1 Corinthians 16:1-2), teach the gospel (Mark 16:15-16), and pray through Jesus (John 14:13). 

Even now the Lord is making additions to His church.  When you do what early believers did, He will add you to His church, just as He added them.  You can become a member of God's family, the church of Christ (1 Timothy 3:15; Romans 16:16) by obedient faith, which includes immersion "for the forgiveness of sins," this very day!