THE NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH
There is not an institution more important to man than the church we read about in the Bible.
Why? Here are several good reasons why this is so:
1. Christ is its head. “and he [God] put all things in subjection under his [Jesus’] 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” (Eph. 1:22-23). 2. Christ loves the church. “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” (Eph. 5:25-27). 3. The church was purposed, planned and promised by God. “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:” (Eph. 3:10-11). 4. The church was foretold by the prophets of the Old Testament. “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 for ever” (Dan. 2:44). Please take the time to read also Isaiah
2:1-4. 5. The church was purchase by the blood of Christ. “Take heed unto yourselves, 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” (Acts 20:28). 6. The church is the pillar and ground of the truth. “but if I tarry long, that thou mayest know
how men ought to behave themselves in the house of God, which is the church of the living God,
the pillar and ground of the truth” (1 Tim. 3:15). 7. God receives glory in the church. “Now unto him that is able to do exceeding 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” (Eph. 3:20-21). The New Testament church is divine in its origin, mission and destiny. The church of the
New Testament is the body of Christ into which sinners are baptized (Eph. 1:23; 1 Cor. 12:13). Thus the church of the New Testament is essential, important and of primary concern to those
who are serious about going to heaven.
THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK: Have you heard about the hypochondriac? He has an annual check-
up--every week!
Love ya,
Jesse
Why? Here are several good reasons why this is so:
1. Christ is its head. “and he [God] put all things in subjection under his [Jesus’] 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” (Eph. 1:22-23). 2. Christ loves the church. “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” (Eph. 5:25-27). 3. The church was purposed, planned and promised by God. “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:” (Eph. 3:10-11). 4. The church was foretold by the prophets of the Old Testament. “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 for ever” (Dan. 2:44). Please take the time to read also Isaiah
2:1-4. 5. The church was purchase by the blood of Christ. “Take heed unto yourselves, 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” (Acts 20:28). 6. The church is the pillar and ground of the truth. “but if I tarry long, that thou mayest know
how men ought to behave themselves in the house of God, which is the church of the living God,
the pillar and ground of the truth” (1 Tim. 3:15). 7. God receives glory in the church. “Now unto him that is able to do exceeding 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” (Eph. 3:20-21). The New Testament church is divine in its origin, mission and destiny. The church of the
New Testament is the body of Christ into which sinners are baptized (Eph. 1:23; 1 Cor. 12:13). Thus the church of the New Testament is essential, important and of primary concern to those
who are serious about going to heaven.
THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK: Have you heard about the hypochondriac? He has an annual check-
up--every week!
Love ya,
Jesse
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