Connected - Yes, But Properly?
Much of the world today claims to be “connected” to God in a religious sense. Many who claim to have this privilege say they have this connection through some denominational organization. Sadly, there continues to be more denominations in this world than one can count. Participants in these have joined themselves to their organizations according to the charter of that particular man-made religion. As is the case with most groups, there are certain leaders or authorities who have established guidelines, (which sometime change), governing association within their group. This includes how to become a member, how to remain in good standing, as well as possible penalties for breaking these rules.
The same is true for many civic organizations. These also are much more numerous than space within this article will permit. But most of these also have a governing “board” or someone of that nature to enforce the standards set by that ruling body. All who refuse to abide in accordance with the requirements set up by their authority will likely be removed from the accepted members list or censured or sanctioned in some fashion.
Sadly, many in the religious world fail to realize that one’s “connection” to God is not physical in nature. One can’t be voted in but must be born into it as foretold in John 3:1-8. Neither can one be a part of (connected to) a man-made institution (denomination) and part of the church which Christ purchased with His blood at the same time. God made these rules and gave them to mankind through His New Testament Word. The parameters under which one becomes a member haven’t changed since the beginning of the church – (See Acts 2:36-41 and 1Pet. 1:18-23)
The head of the church for which the Son of God died is Christ. This also has not and will not change. We learn from Col. 1:13-19 that the kingdom (the church) belongs to Christ. It is only through Him (in Him) that one can receive the forgiveness of past sins. Christ created all things (John 1:1-3). He is also the “head of the body (singular), the church”. It was in Christ and through Him that God’s plan for Salvation would be carried out.
Prior to the establishment of the church, there were those who followed Jesus Christ. In John 14:1-6, Jesus told His closest disciples (the apostles elect) that He was going away to prepare a place. This was the foretelling of the death, burial, resurrection of Christ to die no more. After this He ascended to heaven to be seated at the right hand of God (1Pet. 3:22). Just before He ascended, in Matt 28:18, Jesus told the apostles He has been given “all power”, which means He has all authority. This aligns perfectly with Eph. 1:19-23. As “head over all things to the church”, it is Christ who made the rules and set the conditions to be met whereby one is connected to Him.
In John 15:1-6, we have the inspired record of the Lord’s discourse with these apostles elect about their connection to Him. So that these would more completely understand, Jesus used the inspired example of the vine and the branches. Jesus explained to them that He is the vine, and those who obey Him and continue to follow Him are the branches. No fruit can be borne except the branch “abide in the vine” (verse 4). Then, in verse 5, Jesus told them that which applies to all in New Testament times, “for without me ye can do nothing.”
In Matt. 16:19, Christ promised these disciples He would give them the “keys of the kingdom of heaven”. In the fullness of time these very followers as apostles, would preach the gospel of the kingdom beginning at Pentecost A.D 33, (Acts 2:14-36), telling all in attendance what to do to be saved. This is when they used the keys (the authority) and the N.T. Word of God) to open the doors of the kingdom and per Acts 2:41, those that gladly received the Word and were baptized, were “added” to the church.
2Cor. 5:20 identifies the apostles as the hand chosen ambassadors of Christ through whom the Holy Spirit would bring the inerrant Word of God to humanity. Through that Word, they would “beseech” all and provide instruction whereby one could be saved and abide in Christ. We are taught from 1John 2:24-28 that those that have obeyed His Word are to continue to abide in Him (and the Father), clinging to the promise of eternal life in confidence as we look forward to Christ’s second coming. This tells us how to become and remain properly connected to Christ.
It is true in the realm of horticulture, and equally true in religion that to not remain properly connected to the vine, is to be separated from the proper nourishment. If the branch is disconnected from the vine, no fruit will be produced. Without continued connection to the vine, Jesus said in John 15:6 that the branch would wither and be cast into the fire to be burned. Surely, we don’t need the eternal ramifications of this explained to us.
This is why the Spirit had the apostle Paul, in 1Tim. 4:6, advise the young preacher Timothy how to be a good minister. He was to put the brethren in remembrance of some departing from the faith, speaking lies, teaching doctrines of devils, among other things. Rather, as Timothy was nourished up in the words of faith and good doctrine, he could properly teach others. He was told this in 2Tim 2:2. They too could become properly connected to Christ (the vine). This still needs to be preached and taught today.
Why not obey the gospel today and be properly connected to Christ? He is the vine and you can be the branch.
Dennis Strickland – Mooresville church of Christ
