IS THERE SALVATION OUTSIDE THE CHURCH OF CHRIST?

IS THERE SALVATION OUTSIDE
THE CHURCH OF CHRIST? 

Matt Carver

The question posed in our title has been the source of many a conflict among those espousing to be Christians. Furthermore, the teaching of the New Testament on this theme has led many to make the wild and disdainful charge, “You think that your group is the only one that is going to be saved.” In the past, members of the Lord’s body had no difficulty accepting and propagating the Bible position on this subject. Rather, the opposition was originated by those outside that marvelous spiritual body. However, in more recent times, members of the churches of Christ have begun to wane on this topic, following a similar line of reasoning as those within the denominational realm, namely, that the churches of Christ are simply one small religious fellowship amongst all other religious fellowships that, as a whole, comprise the spiritual body of Christ, the church. In this manner, many of those within the church have come to accept the idea that the church of Christ is a non-essential entity and that “one church is as good as another,” implying the tired and misguided maxim that “we are all headed to the same place but only taking different paths to get there.” However, if we are to be God’s people and practice and uphold that which is revealed in His holy word, we must take all that the Bible teaches on a given subject with an obedient heart of faith, “nothing doubting” (James 1:6). So it is with these thoughts that we briefly examine the nature of the church of Christ and the implications of spiritual life without it. 

First, Jesus Christ is said to be the “savior of the body” (Eph. 5:23). That the body has reference to the church, there is no doubt whatsoever for Paul writes, “and he put all things in subjection under his feet, and gave him to be head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him that filleth all in all” (Eph. 1:22-23). Again he writes, “And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things he might have the pre-eminence” (Col. 1:18). Hence, if Christ is “savior of the body,” and the church is the body, it necessarily follows that He is savior of the church. No other body, whether described within the New Testament or without, is said to be the beneficiary of Christ’s salvation other than the church. 

Second, the church described in the oracles of God is said to belong to Christ. The most quoted passage along this line is found within the context of Matthew 16, during which our Lord questions the disciples regarding whom people believe him to be. He receives several answers, to which He then pointedly asks, “But whom say ye that I am” (Matt. 16:15)? Peter replies with that immortal confession, “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matt. 16:16). With reference to Peter’s response, the Lord declares, “...upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it” (Matt. 16:18). We therefore understand that the church was to be built by Christ our Lord and that it would belong to Him. 

Third, we find that not only was the church to be built and established by Christ Himself, but that He also was the purchaser of it. Paul, in bidding farewell to the Ephesian elders, gave this instruction, “Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood” (Acts 20:28). We find this theme echoed elsewhere in the sacred writings. In condemning fornication amongst the Corinthian church, Paul writes: “What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost [which is] in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s” (1 Cor. 6:19-20). He reminds them: “Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men” (1 Cor. 7:23). John says: “...Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation” (Rev. 5:9). Peter writes that we have been redeemed “with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot” (1 Peter 1:19). Thus we understand that the church of Christ was purchased by His blood. However, these texts plainly teach that those who had been saved, bought, and redeemed had become such by His blood. Hence, unless one affirms the absurd proposition that Christ reserved a portion of His blood to save those outside His church and kept back yet another portion of His blood to save those within His church, it necessarily follows that those who have been purchased, bought, or redeemed by His blood are those within the church which He built and established. 

Finally, we note that reconciliation unto God is obtained in the one body which is the church of Christ. Paul affirms, “For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition [between us]; Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, [even] the law of commandments [contained] in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, [so] making peace; And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby” (Eph 2:14-16). Paul teaches that reconciliation unto God, for both Jew and Gentile alike, is found in the one body through the accomplishments of Christ on the cross. Reconciliation is simply the restoration to favor that which was formerly lost, such as a union or friendship after estrangement. Estrangement from God takes place when sin comes between man and Creator: “but your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear” (Isa. 59:2). Thus, reconciliation to God implies the removal of that thing which caused the initial separation, namely, sin. But what does this describe other than salvation itself? Hence, Paul speaks of the “ministry of reconciliation” (2 Cor. 5:18), which is but the ministry of the Gospel, and the “word of reconciliation” (2 Cor. 5:19), which is but the word of the Gospel. So it is that we find reconciliation unto God located in the body, which is the church of Christ. 
Can one be saved outside the church of Christ? If so, one can be saved without being reconciled unto God, for reconciliation takes place in the body of Christ, the church of Christ (Eph. 2:16). If salvation can be found outside of the spiritual body/church of Christ, one can be saved without being purchased or bought by the blood of Christ (Acts 20:28; 1 Cor. 6:19-20; Rev. 5:9). If one can be saved without the church of Christ, they can do so without that institution which Christ came to establish and build (Matt. 16:18). Finally, if salvation can be obtained outside the church of Christ, one can be saved without Christ as their savior, for He is savior of the body which is his church (Eph. 5:23; 1:22-23). 
Can it honestly and sincerely be stated that these are non-essential matters? If not, let us resolve to be “the body of Christ, and members in particular” (1 Cor. 12:27). 

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