A Plea For Christ

All religious bodies have their own distinctive plea. Our plea is first, last and all the time, a plea for Christ. Whatever is not in some way connected with Christ, has no place in religious faith, doctrine, nor practice. Paul knew or recognized nothing in his preaching save "Jesus Christ, and him crucified" (1 Cor. 2:2). Any proper plea for Christ includes the whole truth about him, and all that he is, all that he ever did and taught.

SONSHIP OF CHRIST

Christ called God his "Father," and God acknowledged Christ as his Son. Matt. 11:25-26; 3:13-17; 17:5.) The angel that appeared unto Mary also said, "He shall be called the Son of God." (Lk. 1:35.) And men have universally acclaimed him to be the greatest man of all ages. Even those who deny his divinity and Deity, admit that he was the colossal man of all time. Now, how may we account for all this greatness? There are only two positions to take relative to the matter. One is that he was only a man, and the other that he was the Son of God, and came down from heaven. With reference to the first position, if he were a mere man, like the rest of us, Why could we not equal him in greatness, or even surpass him? Are we not 2,000 years better qualified to produce a like charac-ier than were those in the first century? They had no great schools, libraries and universities in which to train a great man for leadership of the world for all ages. We have tried to equal Christ ever since he lived on the earth, and all good men have acknowledged that they were not comparable to him hardly a single point. If he were a mere man, we could, it seems, even surpass him in Since we cannot do so, it must be because we are human, and only men, whereas, he was "God with us," or the Son of God. His birth, his life and works, and all that he taught, demonstrated his duty and Sonship. Hence, we plead for Christ-for his divinity and Sonship, and not simply for Christ as a great character, etc. He is more than man. was his Father. While Mary was his mother, God alone was His Father. He could take God by the hand and say, "I am the Son of God," then take humanity by the hand and say, "I am the Son of man," for Mary was his mother.

AUTHORITY OF CHRIST

Since Christ is the Son of God, and only Saviour of the world, we plead for his right to rule over the lives and thoughts of men. He said, "All power Is given to me in heaven and earth." (Matt. 28-18.) Unto men God said, "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased, HEAR YE HIM" (Mat. 17:5.) There is no blessing in saying he is Lord, and rightful ruler of the universe, then ignore his authority. All nations and peoples must continue to suffer, so long as they will not hear the "Prince of peace." (Isaiah 9:6). Finally, those who will not respect the authority of Christ must be destroyed. (Acts 3:22-23.) His gospel must be obeyed, or men are eternally lost. (2 Thess. 1:7-9. He must be recognized as "The author of eternal salvation." (Heb. 5:8-9.) He is also the "Author of our faith"-or the faith of the gospel, the body of religious truths for which we must plead and contend. (Heb. 12:1-3; Jude 3.)

DOCTRINE OF CHRIST

We not only plead for his Sonship, and authority of Christ, but also for his teaching and doctrine. No one can ignore his teaching and respect his authority at the same time. He cannot be thus separated from his doctrine. To change his teaching in any way, about anything, is to rebell against Christ himself. "Whosoever transgresseth and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God." (2 Jn. 9.) To call him Lord, then do something other than what he says do, is vain religion. (Lk. 6:47; Mat. 7:21-26.)

THE BLOOD OF CHRIST

We plead for the blood of Christ as the only atonement for sin. It is through his blood that we have redemption. (Eph. 1:7; Col. 1:13-14.) "The blood cleanseth us from

all sin." (1 Jn. 1:7.) He purchased the church with his own blood (Acts 1:5-6; 7:13-14.) But to ignore the commands of Jesus, is to despise the blood of Christ. One man says baptism cannot be necessary, because we are saved by the blood, not by baptism. One might as well, say we are saved by the blood, not by repentance, or not by preaching the word, or not by faith. If we are to ignore what Christ commanded, then out go all these things together. While we are saved by the blood, it is not by the blood without any faith, repentance, or anything on our part. If there is no condition on man's part, then would not all be saved? The blood was shed for all alike. (Rom. 14:12-15; Heb. 2:9.)

SALVATION IN CHRIST

We plead for salvation in Christ. The Bible speaks of "The salvation which is in Christ." (2 Tim. 2:10.) And Peter says, "Neither is there salvation in any other." (Acts 4:12.) Here is where baptism comes in, or was brought in by the authority of Christ. Paul says we are baptized "INTO Christ." (Gal. 3:26-27; Rom. 6:3-4.) The faith that saves has led us into Christ where salvation is. We are then to abide in Christ, walk in him, and die in the Lord. (Jn. 15:1-6; Col. 2:5-7; Rev. 14:13.) And when Christ comes again, he is coming with those who "Sleep IN JESUS." (1 Thess. 4:13-18.)

THE CHURCH OF CHRIST

Our pleas is also for the church of Christ. To be in Christ, is to be in "His body, 1:18-24.) " the church. (Eph. 1:22-23; 5:13; Col.1:18-24). So much has been spoken and written about the churches started by man that the world has largely forgotten that Christ has a church. He said, "Upon this rock I will build my church." (Mat. 16:18.) So, Christ does have a church. regardless of what men say about the matter. And no amount of blasphemy can do away with the cold fact that he only built one church, loved one church, and bought one church, with his blood.  (Mat. 16:10; Eph. 5:25; Acts 20:28.) "Head of the church." (Eph. 5:23-25.) Christ is the head of the church, which is called the body of Christ. If one is not in this church, which is called the body of Christ, he is not connected with the head of the body, which is Christ. (Col. 1:18.) hand has no connection with the head, unless it be connected with the body, over which the head rules, and to which it is connected. Hence, we are saved, or reconciled unto God in, not out of, the church or body of Christ. (Eph. 2:16.) is the Saviour of the body" (Eph, 5:23.) We do not plead for some sect, or religious party in religion, larger than a local congregation, and yet smaller than the body of Christ. Those have been baptized, as lead by the Spirit through the word, are in that body, and ought to be satisfied there, as we are said to be "Complete in him." (Col. 2:10.)

UNITY IN CHRIST

We plead for the unity which is offered in Christ. "Ye are all one in Christ Jesus." (Gal. 3:27-28.) He died to unite all men in himself, or in his body which is the church of Christ. (Eph. 2:14-16; Eph. 4:3.) Christ prayed for the unity of all who would believe on him, that the world might believe in him. (Jn. 17:20-22.) The idea of all men uniting in some denomination started by man, is not a scriptural idea. Just obey the gospel, and the Lord will add you to his church, and that is better than any humanly devised church on earth. (Acts 2:47.) The same process that makes a man a Christian makes him a member of the Lord's church. The Church of Christ is an all-sufficient religious institution. The apostles knew no other.

THE NAME OF CHRIST

We also plead for the name of Christ, instead of wearing the names of men, the names of ordinances, and the names of Certain forms of church government can plead for the name of Christ. (1 Cor. 1:10-16.) Peter said, "If ye be reproached for THE NAME OF CHRIST, happy are ye." Then he also said, (1 Pet. 4:14.), "If any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this behalf." (1 Pet. 4:16.) The American Standard translation says, "In this name." Hence, we are to glorify God in the name "Christian," which is the name of Christ. It is called by James, a " Worthy name." (Jas. 27)

CONSECRATION TO CHRIST

We also plead for consecration to Christ in all things. Having come into Christ, we are to be devoted to him in loving, cheerful service. to be loyal to him, regardless of the cost.

It is to be our meet to do his will. We are We are to keep unspotted from the world. (Rom. 12:1-3; Jas. 1:27.) We are to Work for Christ, and "Labor therefore, to enter into that rest, lest any man fall." (Heb. 4:9-11.) Our light must shine for Christ (Mat. 5:13-16). We must believe, preach, respect and obey “The gospel of Christ”, “The power of God unto salvation." (Rom. 1:16.)

GLORIFIED WITH CHRIST

Having done all these things, we plead for the blessed hope that we shall be finally glorified with Christ in that sweet home, where he has gone to prepare for us. (Rom. 8:17-19; 1 Pet. 1:7-8; Mat. 25:46.) Our bodies shall be like his. (Phil. 3:18-21; 1 Cor. 15:20-26; Jn. 5:28-29) Thanks be unto God for his wonderful gift of Christ. Here we rest, and take our stand, to live or die, let come what may. We propose to do all in the name of Christ, and follow him all the way, with no interest in what has no connection with Christ.