George Erwin wrote this short but rich piece. It appeared in the April 1, 1971 edition of "The Bible Herald" which was published by the Bible Herald Corporation in Parkersburg, West Virginia.
The early church was the result of God's word being preached. This "seed of the kingdom" (Luke 8:11) produced only one kind of fruit, Christians. Who ever heard of sowing wheat and reaping barley? If we preach only the word of God, the fruit will be Christians only. The fact that many religions exist is proof positive that something beside the word is being preached.
When people HEAR the gospel, BELIEVE in Jesus Christ, REPENT of their sins, CONFESS their faith in Christ and are BAPTIZED, the Lord forgives their sins (Mark 16:15-16; Acts 2:38; Romans 10:10; Romans 6:3-4; Acts 22:16) and adds them to HIS CHURCH (Acts 2:47). These disciples are called Christians (Acts 11:26; I Peter 4:16). In all their work and worship they are then to be guided by the New Testament of Christ (John 12:48; II Timothy 3:16-17).
We urge all to forsake human creeds, leave denominations and be nothing more than CHRISTIANS. Christ's church was built by the Savior (Matthew 16:18), purchased by His blood (Acts 20:28) and sanctified by God's truth (John 17:17; Ephesians 5:24-27). This church is the bride of Christ (Ephesians 5:22-32), His spiritual body (Colossians 1:18) and the family of God (I Timothy 3:15). Our plea is that we be satisfied to be just faithful Christians, living by the gospel of Christ.
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