Will Only Members of the Church of Christ Be Saved?

by Jeff Cavender
via Sentry Magazine, Vol. 15, No. 1, March 31, 1989

While talking to some friends, I stated that I attended worship services at a local church of Christ when one of them asked, "Is that the group that believes that only the members of the church of Christ will be saved?" I answered the question truthfully while trying not to offend him or the others present. I then set up a study with him and explained in greater detail the answer I gave.

First, to avoid a communication problem, I told him what the word "church" means. The word church comes from the Greek word "ekklesia," meaning called out. I then explained that Christians are called out of darkness into light (I Peter 2:9-10), thus showing that Christians make up the church. I showed him how the church was purchased with the blood of Christ (Acts 20:28) and how He is the head of the church (Ephesians 1:22-23). He is the foundation (I Corinthians 3:11) and the builder of the church (Matthew 16:18).

After showing that the church belongs to Christ and that it is merely composed of the saved, we decided to rephrase his question. The new question was, "Will only one body be saved?" The answer is quite simple: Yes. If you are in that body, you are saved; otherwise, you are lost.