The difference between the family of God and the church of God.

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The difference between the Family of God and the Church of God

By Edwin Jardinel

The church is an assembly composed of baptized believers who are covenanted to worship together and to execute the Lord’s commission, (Matt.4:18-22; 28:19-20) while the Family of God is composed of all the saved of all ages from the time of Adam until the present time, and more will be added from time to time even in the future as many as would believe the gospel and would become children of God. (Eph. 3:15, Jn.1:12).

The church gathers in a particular location and is visible (Rom.1:7; I Cor.1:2; Rom.16:5) while the Family of God cannot be assembled in a particular location while on this earth. The church started with Jesus Christ as the founder during his earthly ministry (Acts 1:21-22) while the Family of God started when the sinner from the time of Adam was for the first time regenerated and born into God’s family. (John 1:12; 5:24; Acts 26:18; Col.1:13-14).

God existed in eternity while man has a beginning. (Ps.90:2; Gen.1:26) Since man fell to sin, his relationship with God was broken. As a result, all men became sinners by nature and choice (Rom.5: 12). All men are sinners and are by nature children of the devil because of sin (Jn.8: 44, 47; Rom.3: 10-11, 23; Eph.2: 1-3). The consequence of sin is death (Rom.6:23) Not only physical death, but also spiritual and eternal (Rom. 6:23, I Tim.5:6;Rev. 21:8). The destiny of the children of the devil is hell, which is the second death (Rev. 21:8).

Because of God's love and mercy, He provided a way for man's salvation and reconciliation with Him. Jesus is the only provision for man's sin (Rom. 5:8; Jn.3:16; 1:29; 14:6). Sinners who are regenerated in time are added into His family. The requirement for becoming a member of the family of God is regeneration by repentance and faith (John 1:12-13; 3:1-8) but the requisites to becoming a member of the church of God is repentance, faith, and Scriptural baptism administered by the authority of the NT church.(Acts 2:41,47).

One may profess to be a believer and will follow baptism, but if he is not sincere in receiving Jesus as Savior, he cannot be a true member of the family of God. He may appear to be a member of the local church in the eyes of the people, but soon he will come out because he is not a real member of the body of Christ which is the local church ( I John 2:19; Col.1:18; Eph.1:22-23). Just like when a man takes a bath, some dirt that sticks to his body and appears to be a part of the body are removed by soap and water. In the same way, the "wolves" who pretends to be "sheep" in the church come out when the church upholds the truth and the preacher preaches the pure word of God ( Mat. 18:15-17; Jude 3-4; I Tim. 5:20; I Tim. 6:12; II Tim. 4:2-3). When the members of the church are submissive to the Lordship of Christ, the church is cleansed and washed with pure water, that is the word of God ( Eph.5:26-27). The "goats or wolves" will not enjoy in a godly church because they are just looking for worldly pleasures. (I John 2: 15-16) .The true children of God hates sin and love the truth and it is their joy to walk in the truth (I Cor.13:6; II John 4; Ps.119:37, 113; John 10:27).

The Lord emphasizes the importance of seeking first the salvation of one’s soul to become a part of the family of God and His Kingdom (Matt.6:33). When Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist, and John seemed to refuse to baptize Him, He (Jesus) said, "Suffer it to be so now, for thus it becometh us to fulfill all righteousness" (Matt.3:15). Baptism is a work of righteousness and if a Christian wants to glorify Christ and wants to be obedient in all things he must express it by following the first step which is baptism, in order to be added to the church that Jesus built. When the believer is already a member of the Lord’s church, he then could observe the ordinance of the church which the Lord commanded and he will be able to serve God in the proper way and order. (Matt.28:18-20). However, we are not saved by works of righteousness according to Titus 3:5, therefore, Baptism cannot save us. One must seek to be saved first by hearing the gospel, repenting of sins and exercising faith in Jesus before seeking water baptism and church membership. One who seek baptism and church membership without repentance may become member of the local church in man’s eyes but he is a false brother and not a member of the family of God. (Acts 20:28-30). If one is already a child of God, he must seek the right church founded by Jesus Christ in order to glorify God to the greatest degree, Eph.3:21.

Q.1
The church is ___________. *

Wherefore of these men which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us,
(Acts 1:21)

Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
(Acts 2:41)

Likewise greet the church that is in their house. Salute my wellbeloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia unto Christ.
(Romans 16:5)

Q.2
The family of God is ________________. *

But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
(John 1:12)

For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,
(Ephesians 3:14-15)

Q.3
The church of God _____________________. *

Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:
(1 Corinthians 1:2)

Likewise greet the church that is in their house. Salute my wellbeloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia unto Christ.
(Romans 16:5)

Q.4
Members of the family of God are ________________________________ . *

For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,
(Ephesians 3:14-15)

Q.5
The church started with _____________________ as the founder *

And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
(Matthew 16:17-18)

Q.6
The church started ________________. *

From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. And they straightway left their nets, and followed him. And going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and he called them. And they immediately left the ship and their father, and followed him.
(Matthew 4:17-22)

And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.
(Matthew 18:17)

Q.7
________ are children of the devil until they repent of their sins and believe in Jesus and are born spiritually into the kingdom of God. *

And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
(Ephesians 2:1-3)

Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.
(John 8:44)

Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
(John 3:7)

Q.8
A person becomes a child of God by _____________. *

But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
(John 1:12)

For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.
(Galatians 3:26)

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.
(John 5:24)

Q.9
When a person is born spiritually, he becomes a member of God's family. *

For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,
(Ephesians 3:14-15)

To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.
(Acts 26:18)

Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:
(Colossians 1:13-14)

Q.10
To be a member of God's family requires baptism. *

Q.11
To be added to the church requires ________________________. *

Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
(Acts 2:41)

Q.12
Scriptural baptism is administered by ________________. *

And when he was come into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came unto him as he was teaching, and said, By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave thee this authority? And Jesus answered and said unto them, I also will ask you one thing, which if ye tell me, I in like wise will tell you by what authority I do these things. The baptism of John, whence was it? from heaven, or of men? And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say unto us, Why did ye not then believe him?
(Matthew 21:23-25)

And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
(Matthew 28:18-20)

Q.13
A person may profess to be a believer and follow baptism but if he is not sincere and does not truly believe in Jesus, ____________. *

They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.
(1 John 2:19)

And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage:
(Galatians 2:4)

But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him. And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father. From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.
(John 6:64-66)

Q.14
Unsaved people who claim to be believers, even if they are baptized, are _________ brethren. *

They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.
(1 John 2:19)

But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.
(2 Peter 2:1)

And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage:
(Galatians 2:4)

Q.15
Some dirt seem to appear as part of our body but are not truly part of our body and they are removed as we wash ourselves with water. *

They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.
(1 John 2:19)

But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.
(2 Peter 2:1)

And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage:
(Galatians 2:4)

Q.16
A new testament church is a called out assembly of ___________ and scripturally baptized believers covenanted together for worship and executing the great commission. *

Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
(Acts 2:41)

Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.
(Acts 2:47)

Q.17
Members of the family of God are ___________. *

Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,
(Ephesians 3:15)

Q.18
God calls His children "my sheep" and He has other sheep who are not yet in His fold yet He wants to bring them in. The fold is His __________. *

And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.
(John 10:16)

Q.19
We believe in _________________ church membership. *

Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.
(Acts 2:47)

Q.20
Regenerated church membership means members should be born again. *

Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
(John 3:7)

Q.21
You can congregate all the members of the family of God in one particular location while on this earth. *

Q.22
You can see some members of the family of God on earth but you cannot see the whole family because some of them are already in heaven and others are in distant places. *

For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,
(Ephesians 3:14-15)

Q.23
It is ____________ to know who are the children of God. *

Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
(Matthew 7:17-20)

In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.
(1 John 3:10)

Q.24
"The Lord seeth ________ as man seeth". *

But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.
(1 Samuel 16:7)

Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:
(Luke 6:37)

Q.25
__________ the hearts of men. *

But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.
(1 Samuel 16:7)

And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.
(Luke 16:15)

The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him.
(Nahum 1:7)

Q.26
We can make righteous judgment according to ______________ *

Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.
(John 7:24)

But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.
(1 Corinthians 2:14-15)

Q.27
"Beware of false prophets which come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly they are _________________." *

Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
(Matthew 7:15)

Q.28
What is the responsibility of the church toward erring members? *

Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.
(Matthew 18:15-17)

Q.29
Whose task is it to execute the great commission as stated in Matthew 28:18-20 to go make disciples, baptize and teach all things Christ commanded? *

And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
(Matthew 28:18-20)

Q.30
What is being referred to as the "Pillar and ground of the truth"? *

But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.
(1 Timothy 3:15)

Q.31
Name: *


Q.32
Email Address: *