The Church of Christ--Its Unity--Christ's Church under His Personal Supervision--Rules of Admission--No Others Available--Apostleship the Chief Authority--Other Authorities and Ministers--Necessity of These--The Church Progressive--It Casts off Evil-Doers--Brotherhood of Its Members--Mission of the Church. The Church of Christ is an organized body, consisting of those who believe in Him and have shown their faith by obedience to the initiatory ordinances of His gospel. It may contain many branches, but they will all be connected with the main body, and will all have the same characteristics; that is they will hold the same doctrines and be animated by the same spirit. No matter how many sections of the Church there may be, or how widely they may be separated geographically, they will be governed by the same rule of discipline, and be under the direction of the same head. The Church of Christ must be established under His own supervision, and according to His commandments. A society of persons professing to believe in Him, but organized without any communication from Him, is not and cannot be His Church, whatever its members may call it, or however sincere they may be in their intentions. Some suppose that every one who believes that Jesus is the Christ is, by virtue of that faith, a member of His Church. This is a palpable error. As well might it be assumed that all who believe that the Order of Masonry is a correct form of brotherhood, are by that belief made members of the Order. All societies have some established regulations for the admission of members. The Church of Christ is no exception to the rule. But the initiatory rites in His Church are prescribed by Him, and no one has the right to change them or substitute others in their place. They are uniform for all people, of both sexes, of every race and of every grade of society. The churches established by men have various modes of receiving members and of conducting church government. This is one proof that they _are_ the churches of men, and not of Jesus Christ. We have already explained the first principles of the gospel which must be received and obeyed in order to obtain a standing in Christ's Church. Those who have believed, repented, been baptized by one having authority for the remission of sins, and have been confirmed by the laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost, are thus made members of the Church of Christ. And this is the only way of admission. All who have not complied with these rules are outside of the Church and can get in by no other door than this appointed entrance. Christ will not accept the devices and ordinances and ceremonies ordained of men. They are not His, and are of no force or effect so far as the kingdom of heaven is concerned, either in this world or in the world to come.