Does Your Church Measure Up?
by Larry FitzgeraldGod has given us a pattern of work and worship. We must obey God's pattern
(Romans 6:17). God has given us five key ways we express our worship to God.
These elements are:(1)Singing
(Ephesians 5:19); (2)Praying
(Philippians 4:6); (3)Scripture reading & Preaching
(2 Timothy 4:1-5); (4)Communion {Lord's Supper} every Sunday
(1 Cor. 11; Acts 20:7); (5)Free-will Giving
(2 Cor. 9:6-7).
Likewise, God has given us a pattern -- a plan of salvation. This plan is simple! To receive God's great grace, we should have an attitude of listening to what God says in all matters (especially in how we worship and His plan of salvation;
Romans 10:17; John 8:32). Furthermore, God requires faith for salvation
(John 8:24; Hebrews 11:1-6). And when it comes to our sin, we must be willing to repent. This is more than being sorry. This is an honest attempt to do what God says
(Luke 13:3, 5; Acts 2:3,8) Furthermore, Christ must be confessed. Please note, this is not the same thing as confessing our sins
(Matthew 10:32-33; Romans 10:9-10).
The final step for asking for God's grace is Baptism -- which is by the very definition of the word, an immersion in water. God said that
"whoever calls upon the Lord's name will be saved" (Acts 2:21). He told us that the way we
"call on his name" for salvation is by baptism -- not prayer!
(Acts 22:16). In this sense, baptism is for the remission of sins (see
Acts 2:38). Hence, Peter says
"baptism now saves you not as a bath but as an appeal for God for a clear conscience." It is like the great flood
(1 Peter 3:21).
From the point of our baptisms, there must be Christian growth and faithfulness
(1 Peter 2:2; 2 Peter 3:18; Revelation 2:10).
If your church teaches any other pattern of worship or any other plan of salvation, how can you (in good conscience) attend there since it is misleading so many people?
