It is interesting to hear what some people think about the church sometimes. So many folks look at the church like some kind of human organization, which they think they can “take it or leave it” (which usually means they’re going to “leave it”). Sometimes they will make comments like, “I’ve got my relationship with Jesus. I don’t have to be part of the church!” Is that so?
Do you mean that I don’t have to be part of that which Jesus came and promised to build (Matt. 16:18)? Do you mean that I don’t have to be part of that which Jesus purchased with His own blood (Acts 20:28)? Do you mean that I don’t have to be part of that which God purposed from eternity (Eph. 3:10-11)? Do you mean that I don’t have to be part of that which Jesus will present to Himself at His coming (Eph. 5:26-27)?
Actually, in order to be saved (Acts 2:47; Eph. 5:23) and to go to heaven (Heb. 12:23; Eph. 5:27), I do have to be in His church. Otherwise, His church has no purpose—at least, not the purpose which He gave to it!