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SignUp Now!May Jesus fill us with his love and wisdomPlease show me the scripture that makes you say there is just one church in the Bible and who our apostle(s) are
I think Jesus is the rock and it is also what Christ would build his church upon which was confession that he was Christ, the Son of God ********** [Matthew 16:16 KJV] "And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God."May Jesus fill us with his love and wisdom
Jesus said to Peter, Peter you are rock and Upon This Rock I will build my church.
May Jesus fill us with his love and wisdomI wrote this a few years ago on another discussion about the church. I present it for your consideration. It's probably located somewhere else on Talk Jesus, but after so many years, and postings...
I do pray that this post may be for the edification and not a hindrance to anyone. In the name of Jesus Christ I ask this Amen.
With the Love of Christ Jesus.
Moderator
Nick
\o/
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I have to first start defining certain words so we can see if we’re actually using the same Dictionary. It’s easy to use the same words, but as I’m coming to find out is that at times, we are using different dictionaries, which might create difficulty in understanding each other. I hope you don’t mind that I tackle it in this fashion. I will attempt in every case to identify scripture or the lack of scriptural reference. Lord willing within the context of what God would have us comprehend we will find His truth.
Church
First one must define church as used in scripture. Easy to automatically provide the definition from our current perspective of what a church must be. Many people today understand the church as a building or denomination. This is not a complete biblical understanding of church. The word “church” comes from the Greek word ekklesia which is defined as “an assembly” or “called-out ones.” The root meaning of “church” is not that of a building, but of people. It is ironic that when you ask people what church they attend, they usually identify a building. The following verse I used to show Paul addressing "the church" as a body of believers and not a building/denomination. Romans 16:5 says “… greet the church that is in their house.” Paul refers to the church in their house—not a church building, but a body of believers.
How does one come to this? First one must see who the Creator of the Church is.
Jesus Christ Co-Creator
You can see this clearly that the church is the body of Christ, of which He is the head in the following scripture reading.
Ephesians 1:22-23 says, “And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.”
Holy Spirit Co-Creator
Keep in mind as well that the Holy Spirit was co-creator of the church.
Acts 20:28 Take 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.
Ephesians 2:19-22 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens 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.
Where is this "...habitation of God through the Spirit."?
Body of Christ
The phrase “the Body of Christ” is a common New Testament metaphor for the Church (all those who are truly saved).
Romans 12:5 So we, [being] many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.
1 Corinthians 10:17 For we [being] many are one bread, [and] one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread.
1 Corinthians 12:27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.
Ephesians 4:12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
Hebrews 13:3 Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; [and] them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body.
Ephesians 5:24 Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so [let] the wives [be] to their own husbands in every thing.
Colossians 1:24 Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the church:
Ephesians 4:3-6 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. (4) [There is] one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; (5) One Lord, one faith, one baptism, (6) One God and Father of all, who [is] above all, and through all, and in you all.
I believe our need to name things is a God-given direction that traces back to Genesis. With that in mind, rather than leaving the church without a specific name or using a general one like simply "church"—which isn’t necessarily bad as long as we know its builder and who dwells there—I’ll suggest two or you might have one because as we have seen historically, we never tire in making up new ones!
Universal Church/The Way
The universal church consists of all believers in Christ Jesus.
1 Corinthians 12:13 “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.”.
Colossians 1:18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all [things] he might have the preeminence.
Ephesians 1:22-23 And hath put all [things] under his feet, and gave him [to be] the head over all [things] to the church, [23] Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.
Very goodI wrote this a few years ago on another discussion about the church. I present it for your consideration. It's probably located somewhere else on Talk Jesus, but after so many years, and postings...
I do pray that this post may be for the edification and not a hindrance to anyone. In the name of Jesus Christ I ask this Amen.
With the Love of Christ Jesus.
Moderator
Nick
\o/
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I have to first start defining certain words so we can see if we’re actually using the same Dictionary. It’s easy to use the same words, but as I’m coming to find out is that at times, we are using different dictionaries, which might create difficulty in understanding each other. I hope you don’t mind that I tackle it in this fashion. I will attempt in every case to identify scripture or the lack of scriptural reference. Lord willing within the context of what God would have us comprehend we will find His truth.
Church
First one must define church as used in scripture. Easy to automatically provide the definition from our current perspective of what a church must be. Many people today understand the church as a building or denomination. This is not a complete biblical understanding of church. The word “church” comes from the Greek word ekklesia which is defined as “an assembly” or “called-out ones.” The root meaning of “church” is not that of a building, but of people. It is ironic that when you ask people what church they attend, they usually identify a building. The following verse I used to show Paul addressing "the church" as a body of believers and not a building/denomination. Romans 16:5 says “… greet the church that is in their house.” Paul refers to the church in their house—not a church building, but a body of believers.
How does one come to this? First one must see who the Creator of the Church is.
Jesus Christ Co-Creator
You can see this clearly that the church is the body of Christ, of which He is the head in the following scripture reading.
Ephesians 1:22-23 says, “And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.”
Holy Spirit Co-Creator
Keep in mind as well that the Holy Spirit was co-creator of the church.
Acts 20:28 Take 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.
Ephesians 2:19-22 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens 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.
Where is this "...habitation of God through the Spirit."?
Body of Christ
The phrase “the Body of Christ” is a common New Testament metaphor for the Church (all those who are truly saved).
Romans 12:5 So we, [being] many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.
1 Corinthians 10:17 For we [being] many are one bread, [and] one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread.
1 Corinthians 12:27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.
Ephesians 4:12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
Hebrews 13:3 Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; [and] them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body.
Ephesians 5:24 Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so [let] the wives [be] to their own husbands in every thing.
Colossians 1:24 Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the church:
Ephesians 4:3-6 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. (4) [There is] one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; (5) One Lord, one faith, one baptism, (6) One God and Father of all, who [is] above all, and through all, and in you all.
I believe our need to name things is a God-given direction that traces back to Genesis. With that in mind, rather than leaving the church without a specific name or using a general one like simply "church"—which isn’t necessarily bad as long as we know its builder and who dwells there—I’ll suggest two or you might have one because as we have seen historically, we never tire in making up new ones!
Universal Church/The Way
The universal church consists of all believers in Christ Jesus.
1 Corinthians 12:13 “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.”.
Colossians 1:18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all [things] he might have the preeminence.
Ephesians 1:22-23 And hath put all [things] under his feet, and gave him [to be] the head over all [things] to the church, [23] Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.
And Catholics think Jesus was being literal with so much:May Jesus fill us with his love and wisdom
Jesus said to Peter, Peter you are rock and Upon This Rock I will build my church.
If you read it, and understood it, then you'd of known your answer to what my position is.Very good
However, I dont see how this addresses whether or not you think there is just one church
You are isolating the church as only being the body of Christ
You fail to discuss if the church in Jerusalem was a separate church or not
You fail to say if Peter and the eleven were apostles to only the Jerusalem church
You fail to distinguish Paul as being an apostle together with Peter over the Jerusalem church or if Paul was apostle to only the body of Christ church
So you can have communion with a church that preaches water baptism to be saved unto eternal life. All they have to do is name ChristIf you read it, and understood it, then you'd of known your answer to what my position is.
This is why I can be united in Christ with other believers, no matter which denominational church they attend. Even with you, though I may disagree with some of the positions you hold—or perhaps more accurately, the ones you present. Man divides, while in Christ we are unified.
With the Love of Christ Jesus.
Moderator
Nick
\o/
I fellowship with a Brother or Sister in Christ Jesus, who are a part of the Body of Christ and not a denomination/church. To help you understand, since you still do not. I’ve shared fellowship with other believers from various denominations and churches in countless locations. Spirit knows Spirit brother. That is if you're of God. Discernment will tell you of the others who are not.So you can have communion with a church that preaches water baptism to be saved unto eternal life. All they have to do is name Christ
Doesnt this require you to abandon sound doctrine and ignore this verse ********* [Romans 16:17 KJV] "Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them." ****** Take note: divisions come by those who are contrary to sound doctrine, not to those who present it
What does Spirit knows Spirit brother mean?I fellowship with a Brother or Sister in Christ Jesus, who are a part of the Body of Christ and not a denomination/church. To help you understand, since you still do not. I’ve shared fellowship with other believers from various denominations and churches in countless locations. Spirit knows Spirit brother. That is if you're of God. Discernment will tell you of the others who are not.
You persist to attempt to find cracks where there are none to be found. I've looked for them, so I know what you are seeking and you won't find it.
Thank you for reminding me of Romans 16:17, as it seems clear that it could very well be you I am being cautioned about. lol
Now read the verse prior in context of what I posed about church. Do you see it? \o/
With the Love of Christ Jesus.
Moderator
Nick
\o/
Never an example just broad baseless assertions of being divisiveThank you for reminding me of Romans 16:17, as it seems clear that it could very well be you I am being cautioned about. lol
I see you have not addressed any of thisIf you read it, and understood it, then you'd of known your answer to what my position is.
This is why I can be united in Christ with other believers, no matter which denominational church they attend. Even with you, though I may disagree with some of the positions you hold—or perhaps more accurately, the ones you present. Man divides, while in Christ we are unified.
With the Love of Christ Jesus.
Moderator
Nick
\o/