#5 Christ’s Church – Are YOU a Member? What is It, and How Can I Belong? HINT – It’s NOT in a Building (KJV)

December 25, 2025 | www.gospelofjesuschrist.blog | River Wilde

Christian Churches…There are many DIFFERENT ones, and they all teach different doctrine. Some claim to be in a supporting role, teaching the gospel that Jesus Christ taught when He was on the earth, and some, claim something entirely different. They teach that the gospel was restored, and is now the only true church. I’d like to start here.

Let’s look at the word “restored” to understand it’s meaning given in this context:

“A former order, doctrine, authority, or practice (believed to come from God) had been lost, corrupted, or obscured over time. That order or teaching has now been put back into place as it supposedly was “in the beginning.”

“Return to original beliefs and ordinances”.

“Renewal of proper structure (offices, sacraments/ordinances, discipline, worship patterns).”

This defining guidance suggests that if the gospel of Jesus Christ, (what He taught when He was on the earth), was restored because of “corruption,” it would be brought back “EXACTLY” as it was, as taught by Christ.

It doesn’t take long to see that this church claiming to be the only true, restored church, is FAR FROM what was taught by Christ. It has NOT been restored…it has been Dramatically Changed!

What did Jesus teach about changing HIS Gospel? Could there be new, changed doctrine brought forth because of ANGLES appearing to men?” Let’s go there now.

Galatians 1:8

“But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.“

Even an angel from God does not have authority to teach a gospel that is different from what Jesus Christ and His prophets taught while on this earth. This makes things VERY simple to understand. If the gospel that you are studying is anything different than what is taught in the Bible, it is FALSE. Simple! Easy guideline to follow.

Here are some additional scriptures that confirm this teaching:

1 Timothy 6:3

“If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness.”

This verse, part of Paul’s instruction to Timothy, warns against false teachers who deviate from Christ’s teachings and godly doctrine. It emphasizes adherence to the pure words of Jesus as the standard for sound instruction.

2 John 1:9-10

“Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God: he that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed.”

Pretty powerful indeed. This scripture goes as far as to say, if they teach anything other than the gospel of Jesus Christ, (as He taught) do not even let them in your home, neither wish them “God’s Speed”.

After a lifetime of personally being taught false doctrine by my church, I found this information quite enlightening. If you have been deceived by people of “Christian Leadership” who can I trust in the future?  My answer… JESUS CHRIST.

He was on the earth… IN PERSON, to accomplish TWO things. The first being the holy and unselfish fulfilment of the Atonement, and the second; To teach His gospel to the world.

He taught us EVERYTHING that we need to know… EVERYTHING! What we need to do on this earth to prepare for the afterlife, and how applying the atonement into our own lives would be how we get to heaven.

He gave us first-hand examples when He told the thief that was hanging on a cross next to Him, that “Today you will be with me in Paradise.” This solidified His teachings to us. It is not about church attendance, paying tithing, or any other of our WORKS that get us into heaven. It’s the simple act of being “Born Again” and accepting Jesus Christ as our Savior and Redeemer.

Something also very telling to me, are the last words that Jesus said before he died:

John 19:30

“… he said, It is finished:”

What was finished?

…It was His mission that was completed:

1. To atone for the sins of the world

                               AND

2. Teaching the new and everlasting gospel of Jesus Christ.

He did NOT say, I’ve done my part, now its up to you and your GOOD Works to make the atonement effective.

Nor did He say, I’ve taught a new gospel, but this is only part of it…More will come later through a brand-new, CHANGED religion in the last days.

IT IS FINISHED!!!!!!!!! Jesus Christ FINISH Both of these things.

So, for a moment, I’d like for you to put ALL ORGANIZED religion to the side as we continue our learning.

There are many who profess to follow Jesus Christ. Did you know that Christ refers to all of His followers using several “titles?”

Jesus calls His followers “friends” in John 15:15: “Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.”

This highlights the shift from master-servant to a bond of shared revelation.

He also addresses them as “brethren” or “brothers,” as in Matthew 12:50: “For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother,” underscoring spiritual family ties among those who obey God.

A prominent metaphor is “sheep,” portraying believers as His flock under His care, seen in John 10:27: “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.” This reflects guidance, protection, and intimate knowledge.

Jesus frequently calls them “disciples,” meaning learners or followers, such as in Matthew 10:1: “And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples…” This term evolves to encompass all believers committed to His teaching.

But He also refers to all of His followers as “The Church.”

In Matthew 16:18, Jesus declares to Peter, “And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.“

This is the initial mention, framing the church as a future entity He will establish, resilient against evil.

He reiterates this in Matthew 18:17, instructing on church discipline: “And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglects to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.”

Here, “church” denotes the assembled believers handling matters of restoration.

Now, think of all of Christ’s followers under this new title… HIS CHURCH… HIS FOLLOWERS. This is how Christ sees us. He does not see us as Mormon, Catholics, or Baptist. He only cares if we are His followers.

And who are members of His Church? Let’s look:

Matthew 16:24

“Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.”​

Luke 9:23

“And he said to all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.”​

John 10:27

“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.”​

His Church is filled with His followers. There is a DIRECT relationship that we have with the Savior. It is not defined by a certain religious organization. Can you see that a “Physical Church” is not needed to belong to Christ’s Church? Here are those teachings:

Acts 7:48 in the King James Version states, “Howbeit the most High dwelleth not in temples made with hands; as saith the prophet.”

This verse, part of Stephen’s speech before the Sanhedrin, quotes Isaiah 66:1-2 to emphasize God’s transcendence beyond physical structures.

Stephen recounts Israel’s history to argue that God never limited Himself to man-made tabernacles or temples, from the patriarchs to Solomon’s building. The prophet reference underscores heaven as God’s throne and earth as His footstool, questioning any house humans could build for Him.​

Acts 17:24 similarly declares, “God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands.”

Paul uses this in Athens to proclaim God’s sovereignty over creation, rejecting idol worship confined to handmade shrines, churches or temples.

So, is there a benefit for a person to attend a church? Certainly.

There is a sense of community from belonging to a church. A religion can help you in your relationship with Jesus Christ through study and worship.

But a few words of caution. As you are learning, there is a current war happening between Good and Evil. And sadly, satan has infiltrated most everything that is here upon the earth. This even includes Christian churches.

Think of it this way. If you want to deceive good Christian people, doesn’t it make sense that infiltrating their church would be a successful strategy? The greatest lie includes bits of truth. Satan is out to destroy everyone, but to get to the Righteous people, the “Elect” he must be cleaver. Christ taught us about this:

Matthew 24:24

“For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.”

This scripture was actually written for me, and perhaps you. In the last days, there will be “false prophets” that will deceive even the VERY ELECT. I’m so grateful that I have found the TRUE teachings of Jesus Christ.

Now, let’s put this learning into prospective.

If you haven’t learned about the Rapture yet, let me show you the scriptures, to show you who Christ will come to “Lift Up.”

1 Thessalonians 4:16-17

“For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain (who are in Christ) shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.”

1 Corinthians 15:51-52

“Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.”

Jesus is coming to rescue His Followers, as well as come to receive the dead who are also followers of Christ. The qualification is if a person is a follower of Jesus Christ or not. If a person has given His life to Jesus Christ, and been “Born Again” as He taught in the New Testament. He is coming for “His Church.”

Can you see through this learning that there is not a Special Church on earth that Christ refers to as His church? It is about our relationship with HIM, not what church we belong to.

Finally, one last thought…

For those who follow Jesus Christ, He has indicated that they will receive the Holy Spirit. What is this, and how does it help us get to know Jesus? This will be the topic of tomorrows learning.

Merry Christmas.