1. Must One be a Member of the Church of Christ to be Saved? This question is asked many times with people we speak with concerning religion. It is a good Bible question that deserves a Bible answer, free of prejudice and the wisdom of men. “What does the Scripture say?” Rom. 4:3. Let’s consider the question in another way:

2. In the Negative Sense One could just as easily ask, “Is one lost if he is not a member of the church that belongs to Christ?” as to ask, “Must one be a member of the church of Christ to be saved?” When we use “church of Christ’ here we are not using it in any protestant denominational sense. There are not denominations in the N. T. Therefore, we reject them today as unnecessary and without Christ’s approval, Mt. 28:18-20; Col. 3:17; Gal. 1:8-10. If you think of the church of Christ as a denomination, then you are mistaken, and you will misunderstand the Bible answer given here.

3. The Expression, “church of Christ” The expression means what it means in the N. T. namely, “the church that belongs to Christ”. It is a statement of possession or ownership, reflecting the relation that exists between Christ and the church. Jesus built the church; it is His, Mt. 16:18. He purchased His church with His blood, Acts. 20:28. He is the Head of His church and it is His body, Eph. 1:22-23. There is one body that belongs to Christ, and He is the Svior of the body, His church, Eph. 4:4, 5:23.

4. The Obedient Believer When a sinner hears, believes, and obeys the gospel of Christ, his sins are remitted (forgiven, blotted out, washed away) – he is saved from his sin, (Mk. 16:15-16; Acts 2:36-41; 3:19; 22:16). When that happens, the Lord adds that saved person to His church, Acts 2:47.

5. Saved are Where? Thus, in the N.T., the church of Christ is made up of those who are saved. They have been called our of sin by the gospel, and added to the church by the Lord. (The word “church” means the “called out” ones). These saved people are Christians, disciples fo Christ, Acts 11:26. It is entirely right and Biblical to answer “YES”, one must be a member of the church of Christ to be saved. Saved souls compose the church of Christ. And, Christ saves His body, the church, Eph. 1:22-23; 5:23. Be saved by Christ according to His gospel, and you will be added to the church of Christ, Acts 2:47.