THE LORD'S CHURCH
There is not an institution in the world more important than the church we read about in the
New Testament. Why? Here are several good reasons for making such a statement:
1. Christ is the Head of the church (Eph. 1:22-23). Paul wrote, “and he put all things in
subjection under his feet, and gave him to be head over all things to the church, which is his body,
the fulness of him that filleth all in all.” Read also Colossians 1:18. 2. Christ loves the church (Eph. 5:25-27). Here Paul says, “Husbands love your wives, even
as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself up for it; that he might sanctify it, having
cleansed it by the washing of water with the word, that he might present the church to himself a
glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that it should be holy and
without blemish.”
3. The church was purposed, planned and promised by God (Eph. 3:10-11). We read the
following: “to the intent that now unto the principalities and the powers in the heavenly places
might be made known through the church the manifold wisdom of God, according to the eternal
purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
4. The church was foretold by the prophets of the Old Testament (Dan. 2:44). God
through Daniel said, “And in the days of those kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom
which shall never be destroyed, nor shall the sovereignty thereof be left to another people, but it shall
break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever.” This is only one of
many such prophecies in the Old Testament. 5. The church was purchased by the blood of Christ (Acts 20:28). “Take heed unto your-
selves, and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit hath made you bishops, to feed the church of the
Lord which he purchased with his own blood.”
6. The church is the pillar and ground of the truth (1 Tim. 3:15). “but if I tarry long, that
thou mayest know how men ought to behave themselves in the house of God, which is church of the
living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.”
7. God receives glory in the church (Eph. 3:20-21). “Now unto him that is able to do exceed-
ing abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, unto him
be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus unto all generations for ever and ever. Amen.”
The New Testament church is divine in origin, mission and destiny. The church of the New
Testament is the body of Christ into which sinners are baptized (Eph. 1:22; 1 Cor. 12:13). There-
fore the church of the New Testament is essential, important and of primary concern to people
who are serious about salvation. Does the church say, Amen? (All scripture references are from
the American Standard Version, 1901).
THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK: Those who shrink from responsibility keep shrinking in other ways,
too.
Love ya,
Jesse
New Testament. Why? Here are several good reasons for making such a statement:
1. Christ is the Head of the church (Eph. 1:22-23). Paul wrote, “and he put all things in
subjection under his feet, and gave him to be head over all things to the church, which is his body,
the fulness of him that filleth all in all.” Read also Colossians 1:18. 2. Christ loves the church (Eph. 5:25-27). Here Paul says, “Husbands love your wives, even
as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself up for it; that he might sanctify it, having
cleansed it by the washing of water with the word, that he might present the church to himself a
glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that it should be holy and
without blemish.”
3. The church was purposed, planned and promised by God (Eph. 3:10-11). We read the
following: “to the intent that now unto the principalities and the powers in the heavenly places
might be made known through the church the manifold wisdom of God, according to the eternal
purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
4. The church was foretold by the prophets of the Old Testament (Dan. 2:44). God
through Daniel said, “And in the days of those kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom
which shall never be destroyed, nor shall the sovereignty thereof be left to another people, but it shall
break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever.” This is only one of
many such prophecies in the Old Testament. 5. The church was purchased by the blood of Christ (Acts 20:28). “Take heed unto your-
selves, and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit hath made you bishops, to feed the church of the
Lord which he purchased with his own blood.”
6. The church is the pillar and ground of the truth (1 Tim. 3:15). “but if I tarry long, that
thou mayest know how men ought to behave themselves in the house of God, which is church of the
living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.”
7. God receives glory in the church (Eph. 3:20-21). “Now unto him that is able to do exceed-
ing abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, unto him
be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus unto all generations for ever and ever. Amen.”
The New Testament church is divine in origin, mission and destiny. The church of the New
Testament is the body of Christ into which sinners are baptized (Eph. 1:22; 1 Cor. 12:13). There-
fore the church of the New Testament is essential, important and of primary concern to people
who are serious about salvation. Does the church say, Amen? (All scripture references are from
the American Standard Version, 1901).
THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK: Those who shrink from responsibility keep shrinking in other ways,
too.
Love ya,
Jesse
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