Niagara Falls Church of Christ

2011 Tennessee Ave.,  Niagara Falls, NY  14305

(716)285-6534 (716)285-6534 (for phone and fax)

James Lawrence, Herschel Walker - Elders

Eddie J. Cornelius, Minister Emeritus

The New Testament is very clear concerning the entrance into the church, the kingdom or family  of God. This process is called "the new birth" which, I believe, refers to the remarks of Jesus to Nicodemus in John 3:3-8. The apostle Peter refers to this process in 1 Peter 1:23 when he says the Christian is "Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever."

In Matt. 18:2-4 Jesus refers to this process in three ways. He calls it being "converted," He calls it becoming as little children and He calls it a process in which one must "humble himself." Jesus teaches that this process of conversion from a mature sinful adult into a little child is necessary to enter the kingdom. In both Mark 10:15 and Luke 18:17 Jesus is recorded as saying: "Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein." I believe God, in His wisdom, has delivered the gospel to us in such a way that it requires one to lay aside what he has learned by experience and approach the gospel as one who knows nothing and is willing to be taught and learn of God. This process is entirely consistent with what Jesus taught in John 6:44-45 as well as the teaching of 1 Cor. 1:20-31.

Christians are born into the kingdom as "new born babes" (1 Peter 2:20) but are not expected to remain in this condition. Peter taught us that: "As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:" There can be no doubt that God would have His children to grow unto maturity. When this process of growth does not take place, it effects the work and growth of the church, both spiritually and numerically. In Heb. 5:12-14 we find the following explanation: "For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. 13 For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. 14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil." This growth is shown to be the difference between those who are "carnal minded," and those who are "spiritual minded" (1 Cor. 3:1-4, Rom. 8:5-11).

It is the lack of spiritual growth that allows for strife, division, infighting, congregation splitting, and even apostasy. God in His wisdom has provided for this growth in His church (Eph. 4:11-16). Each individual member of the church of our Lord Jesus Christ is responsible for availing himself of this great blessing by submitting to authority, attending established classes and attending established worship services. Remember, if you do not grow, you will die!