Lesson 1
The Church is those who are saved through faith in Jesus Christ.
Denomination after denomination makes the claim that they are the "true church." Throughout the New Testament, we are given the definition of the Church, how to know if we are members, how to know if others are a part of it.
For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him. "There is no judgment against anyone who believes in him. But anyone who does not believe in him has already been judged for not believing in God's one and only Son.
Jesus Christ alone can intercede on our behalf before the Father, for He is our eternal High Priest.
"...so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life."
This principle is further supported by Hebrews 7 and 8.
But because Jesus lives forever, his priesthood lasts forever. Therefore he is able once and forever, to save those who come to God through him. He lives forever to intercede with God on their behalf.
We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are.
These are not the only verses that tell us who the church is.
Romans 8:2 and 1 Corinthians 1:10-13 are other passages in the Word that tell us who the church is.
To put it simply, the Church is those who are saved through faith in Jesus Christ.
This means that the Church includes people of any denomination, for it is not denomination that dictates whether one is saved or a member of the Church, but rather faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
The understanding of "who" the church is is a foundational block to all of WDM's curricula. It has been opted to feature this lesson as the first to get us all on the same page. The primary reason for this decision is the biases between some denominations. There are people in denominations who declare that their denomination is the "true Church" and anyone who is not part of said denomination is not saved. According to the Word, this is not the case. People of any denomination can be part of the Church and earthly church leaders do not dictate who is part of the Church, but Jesus Christ dictates this.
So while we go through the lengthy history of the Christian Church and its impact, lets keep in mind that one's salvation is through faith in Jesus Christ, not denominational membership.
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