We're Baptized Into a Spiritual Body

One is not baptized into any sect or denomination. Rather, one becomes a member of the spiritual Body of Christ.

One is not baptized into any particular sect or denomination. Rather, through baptism as taught in the Bible one becomes a member of the spiritual Body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:27Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.
See All...; Ephesians 2:19-22 [19] Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;
[20] And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;
[21] In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:
[22] In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.

See All...).

In 1 Corinthians 12:13For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
See All... we find that "by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body —whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink into one Spirit."

This body is called the Church of God (Acts 20:28Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
See All...). Membership in this Church is granted by God upon genuine repentance and baptism and is not determined by men or human organizations. The Greek word for "church" is ekklesia, denoting a called-out assembly. Simply put, God calls those He chooses out of this society to be part of the spiritual body that is His Church.

Jesus said His disciples, or followers, would need to be taught (Matthew 28:19-20 [19] Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
[20] 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.

See All...). In Ephesians 4:11-13 [11] And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
[12] For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
[13] Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:

See All... Paul explained: "And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ."

We see here that the Church, as the body of Christ, has an obligation and responsibility to help Christians grow spiritually, which requires working together under the guidance of called and faithful ministers. God admonishes us to strive for unity and recognize the need we have for each other (1 Corinthians 12:12-25 [12] For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.
[13] For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
[14] For the body is not one member, but many.
[15] If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?
[16] And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?
[17] If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling?
[18] But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.
[19] And if they were all one member, where were the body?
[20] But now are they many members, yet but one body.
[21] And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.
[22] Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary:
[23] And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness.
[24] For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked:
[25] That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.

See All...; Ephesians 4:1-3 [1] I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,
[2] With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;
[3] Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

See All...).

Finding a church—a called-out group of believers—in which we can learn sound doctrine and fellowship with people of like mind is important in staying on the road to eternal life.

Hebrews 10:24-25 [24] And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:
[25] Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

See All... tells us, "And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching."

We in the United Church of God recognize the need to provide opportunities for God's people to assemble and receive biblical instruction and fellowship. Meeting regularly with God's people will be a vital aid to your spiritual growth.

Information on how to find the nearest congregation of the United Church of God can be found at the end of this booklet. We meet in locations all around the world. Visitors are always welcome. If you'd like to learn more, read or download your free copy of the booklets The Church Jesus Built and This Is the United Church of God .