THE CHURCH THAT JESUS BUILT
 PART I


       In the next few articles, I hope to present some things I believe the scriptures teach about this divine institution. You may not feel that this subject is worthwhile to think about, but I hope that you will consider the things presented in a thoughtful way.

        It is not too infrequently that we hear some one say, “well, the church is not important anyway” and I must confess, that when we observe many “Christians” it appears that they have a valid point.

        There are many who claim to be a part of the church who frequent the meetings so seldom that they need to be introduced when they do show up. Others come to keep up on all the latest scuttlebutt, (another word for gossip), while others come only to find fault and criticize; the singing or the music or the type of music (contemporary vs. traditional) or the volume the music or perhaps the length of the meeting. But these things take place because we are “in the flesh” as Brother Paul puts it and we “are not spiritual”. These things are a disgrace to the church that Jesus built!

        In Matt. 16:18 we find Jesus saying, “On this rock I will build my church”. In today’s church going society and those outside that circle also, there is an appalling lack of knowledge as to what Jesus was saying on this occasion. Of course, only the most naďve think he was speaking of a physical structure. Let me share with you a few facts worth knowing contained within these few words, and some things we may learn by thinking about them.

  1

 The church of the Old Testament (the Jewish institution) was already in existence at this time. It had been for several years with Moses as its leader (Heb. 3:2) and “the law” as its’ foundational structure. This should tell us then that the church Jesus built was NOT that institution and the church he would build would NOT be built upon “the law”. Eph. 2:20

 

  2.

 The words “will build” indicate futurity thus indicating that at the time Jesus was speaking, the church he would build HAD NOT BEEN BUILT.

 

  3.

 Notice that he says “my church”. There is a lesson in these words that many of us would do well to learn. It is NOT MY CHURCH NOR IS IT YOUR CHURCH, IT IS HIS CHURCH! It is not unusual at all to hear some preacher speaking of “my church” or someone goes out to start a “my church”. If there be dissenters there they quickly learn that it is indeed a “my church”. Many times the one who has “my church” has control of the property and the others much follow “my way” or the highway. We need to remember that the church Jesus built was bought and paid for with his precious blood. (Acts 20:28) It is open to all as members of it but “He is the head of the body, the church.” (Col. 1:18)

        There are a number of differences in the church that Jesus built and many modern “churches”. Think about a few of these:

·        While others speak of their “church” as an organization, the scriptures NEVER speak of the church Jesus built as being that. The church he built is rather described in scripture as an organism, made up of members, a body, motivated by the word of God and empowered and activated by the Spirit of God. (I Cor. 12:12,13) The concept of organizational work and worship is foreign to the New Testament.

·        The church that Jesus built has no headquarters on earth. The head of it rules from heaven through his word and his Spirit which dwells within every one of its members. Each church is answerable to him only!

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