What Is the Church?

There is much that could be said about the Church of God that is mentioned many times in the New Testament.  However there is also much that could be said about the churches of this present-day religious and Christian world.  The contrast between the one (singular) Church that the Bible talks about, and the present-day divided churches (plural) is very profound and shamefully different.  This subject of what is the Church that this booklet will address, is not what people might assume the Church is from God's point of view.  We have all been born in a world that has spawned many religions, sects, and church groups.  It is as if one could go "shopping" for any church of his or her choice, and be comfortable in one's taste and liking when it comes to a form of worship or social function.  Usually this is what a church is to most people as it only serves as a social function or an emotional fulfillment.  A church must satisfy a person's need to "feel good", either with the minister's sermons or the church functions.  A person must also feel comfortable with the other people that attend.  There seems to be enough churches to go around for everyone's likes and dislikes.  When a person for some reason disagrees with a sermon or has difficulty with the theology (if the church even has any), he or she can always "pull stakes" and attend some other church.  It usually is just a matter of time that they will find some other reason, or some other offense that causes them to "shop" around elsewhere to satisfy their "spiritual" and "emotional" needs.
    
Then there is always the business and financial aspect of a church.  It seems the church is always low on funds, and there is always the need to remind the faithful members of this dire and desperate situation.  It is dependent always on the flow of cash for it's survival (according to the pastor).  Also the pastor must never teach any "new" or controversial teaching that the members do not already agree with.  There is always the danger that the "hired" pastor will for some unforeseen reason find himself without a "job".  Therefore his messages must always be comfortable for all listeners, and his sermons must always be very "nice"; and by all means he must convince his "flock" that he truly cares for their souls.  He must also have the ability to cause his members to become emotionally involved with his sermons.  He must also occasionally demonstrate his faith by performing a so-called "healing" ceremony or some other "moved by the spirit" emotional display.  It is very dependent on one's ability to speak and to explain wisdom to others for him to be accepted to be a pastor of a church.  This is far removed from what motivated the early believers in the days of the apostle Paul.  Paul stated that he did not come to people with excellency of speech, or wanted to skillfully explain some wisdom.  Paul simply wanted to proclaim the truth and testimony of God!  The modern-day ministers are trained in seminaries to perform in the opposite manner of the way the apostle Paul stated in 1 Cor. 2:1.

1 Corinthians 2:1 And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. (KJV)

For someone to be a poor speaker and lacking in wisdom certainly would not qualify him to be in the speaking ministry of this world's churches.  This is not to say in 1 Cor. 2:1 that the apostle Paul lacked in wisdom, which he didn't!  It only means that Paul was a humble man, and wanted to be on the same level as others, and did not want to appear as having superior wisdom or knowledge.  The modern-day seminaries use books that were written by men about the Bible, and not necessarily the Bible itself to train the future ministers in the Christian faith.  This is indeed a shame and very unwise for seminaries to consider human authors to have more credibility than the author of the Bible!  The modern-day ministers are not trained in the fact that the Christianity of the Bible is the only faith that salvation is promised, as it plainly states in Acts 4:12.

Acts 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. (KJV)

Future ministers are trained to regard Christianity as just another religion.  Many well-meaning ministers teach there are other ways to God and salvation.  It is ridiculous to think that there are other ways (other gods) that can also give salvation, or that the Creator of the universe is in competition with other gods in saving souls.  Ministers of this world's churches seldom ever teach Christianity on the premise of Acts 4:12 as being the only faith whereby we must be saved.  Christ looked far into the future, and saw into this modern day religious world and said this about "hirelings".  See John 10:12-13.

John 10:12-13 But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. 13 The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep. (KJV)

These hirelings are pastors that are hired by a church board to "feed" their members.  However they really do not and cannot care for the sheep because they are hired.  They are not only hired, but are specially provided for with fine homes, cars, and other "provisions".  These hirelings are made to feel that all these "necessities" are earned and well deserved.  The churches of this present-day religious world could be described as social functions on a business venture to satisfy people's emotional needs in keeping them happy and "feeling good".  The churches of this world are comfortable in their "doctrines", and certainly not interested in growing in knowledge with the simple teachings of the Bible.  It is a disgrace and a shame that they generally will reject any teaching that is not "politically correct" with the accepted mainstream Christian thought!  It is as if the churches are under a "hypnotic spell" or something, or have a mental block in accepting sound doctrine.  Indeed, if I may say so, the churches are under the "spell" of deception, or what is known as being "bewitched"!  They will defend their deception at all costs, and even speak evil of the way of truth.  See Gal. 3:1 and 2 Pet. 2:2-3.

Galatians 3:1 O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you? (KJV)
2 Peter 2:2-3 And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. 3 And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not. (KJV)

According to the apostle Paul, a church is "bewitched" if it does not believe and obey the truth (Gal. 3:1).  Peter also explained that men that speak evil of the way of truth will covet and lust after money.  These men are very skilled in speaking, and will make "merchandise" of those that love to listen to their "inspired" messages.  It states that many will follow their pernicious ways (verse 2).  The word "pernicious" is no. 684 in Strong's Lexicon, and it carries the meaning of such words as destruction, damnable, and perish.

684 apoleia {ap-o'-li-a) from a presumed derivative of 622; TDNT - 1:396,67; n f AV - perdition 8, destruction 5, waste 2, damnable 1, to die + 1519 1, perish + 1498 + 1519 1, pernicious 1; 20
1) destroying, utter destruction 1a) of vessels 2) a perishing, ruin, destruction 2a) of money 2b) the destruction which consists of eternal misery in hell

It is a biblical and historical fact that it has always been the majority of people that were wrong in their belief system.  Hosea 4:6 explains how serious it is to reject knowledge.  When knowledge is rejected, so will God also reject any one that does not accept and believe the obvious truth and understanding that comes from the Bible.

Hosea 4:6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children. (KJV)

The way I have briefly described the churches of this modern-day "Christian" society is fairly accurate, and is not something far-fetched.  It is indeed a shame and a mockery to our Heavenly Father for the divided churches of this world to even pretend that they are of God, or are approved of God.  However this is not to say that all church groups can be described in this manner.  There are no doubt many small groups and many individuals that have honest hearts, and are sincere in seeking and following what they understand to be truth from the Bible.  Generally the problem people have is that they want to "adjust" the Bible with what they already believe or may not believe.  Doesn't it seem more reasonable and wiser to allow the Bible to teach and cause us to "adjust" our thinking with the Bible?  The truth about the Church that the Bible talks about is still the truth, and we must accept it as truth!

Who Are the Saints?

The word "saints" is found ninety five times in the Bible.  It is always used in reference to the people of God that follow righteousness and the truths of God.  The saints of God could also be considered as "godly and holy people" that are sanctified and set apart for a holy use.  This is what the word "sanctified" means, and the saints are indeed set apart for a holy use, as we shall see.  In the New Testament the word "saints" is the same word as the word "holy".  It is no. 40 in Strong's Lexicon.

40 hagios {hag'-ee-os} from hagos (an awful thing) [cf 53, 2282]; TDNT - 1:88,14; adj AV - holy 161, saints 61, Holy One 4, misc 3; 229
1) most holy thing, a saint

Whenever the word "saints" appears in scripture it always means holy (no. 40).  The first time the word "Church" is found in the Bible is in Matt. 16:18.  It is also the first time that Christ made reference to the Church, and he said a profound statement that we need to be aware of.

Matt 16:18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. (KJV)

Christ stated that he (upon this rock) was going to build his Church, and the "gates" of hell would never claim this particular Church.  The "gates" of hell and the subject of hell are addressed in my booklet entitled "Life and Death".  Notice that this Church belongs to Christ and that he was going to build it.  The Church is the property of Jesus Christ!  The word "Church" does not appear anywhere in the Old Testament.  It is a Greek word (ekklesia) and it is no. 1577 in Strong's Lexicon, and means to be "called out" to be a part of an assembly.

1577 ekklesia {ek-klay-see'-ah} from a compound of 1537 and a derivative of 2564; TDNT -3:501,394; n f  AV - church 115, assembly 3; 118  1) a gathering of citizens called out from their homes into some public place, an assembly 1a) an assembly of the people convened at the public place of the council for the purpose of deliberating 1b) the assembly of the Israelites 1c) any gathering or throng of men assembled by chance, tumultuously 1d) in a Christian sense 1d1) an assembly of Christians gathered for worship in a religious meeting 1d2) a company of Christian, or of those who, hoping for eternal salvation through Jesus Christ, observe their own religious rites, hold their own religious meetings, and manage their own affairs, according to regulations prescribed for the body for order's sake 1d3) those who anywhere, in a city, village, constitute such a company and are united into one body 1d4) the whole body of Christians scattered throughout the earth 1d5) the assembly of faithful Christians already dead and received into heaven.

According to this meaning it also shows that the Christian members are "called out" to be united into one body either scattered throughout the earth, or are in heaven, or are in both places (1d 3-5).  This is important!  The word "called" is no. 2822 in Strong's Lexicon and means "invited", or to be divinely selected and appointed to something.

2822 kletos {klay-tos'} from the same as 2821; TDNT - 3:494,394; adj AV - called 11; 11
1) called, invited (to a banquet) 1a) invited (by God in the proclamation of the Gospel) to obtain eternal salvation in the kingdom through Christ 1b) called to (the discharge of) some office 1b1) divinely selected and appointed

What are the "called out" invited to and for what purpose?  Also according to this meaning the "called out" members are divinely selected and appointed to an "office" (1b, 1b1).  This truth is shown in several scriptures in the New Testament.  Notice Rom. 12:4.

Romans 12:4 For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: (KJV)

The apostle Paul states that the many members have not the same "office", which means there are different "offices".  However the many members are as "parts" of one body, therefore they are to function as one body.  In 1 Cor. 1:2 Paul addressed his letter unto the Church of God at Corinth, and he said that these Corinthians were sanctified in Christ Jesus and were called to be "saints".

1 Cor 1:2 Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours: (KJV)

Again in Rom. 1:7 Paul stated that all the beloved of God in Rome were called to be "saints".  The Church is made up of members that are called to be "saints", either on the earth or in heaven; and are considered to be holy.

Rom 1:7 To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. (KJV)

Who are the saints that the Bible mentions so many times, and what and where were they "called out" from?  It is interesting that Paul stated that the Corinthians and the Romans were "called" to be saints, which means by implication; they were not "saints" prior to this calling.  A believer as a result of hearing the gospel is first called to be a saint, and then is "invited" or "appointed" to an office in an assembly of saints united into one body.  This shows that there is government within the Church, and a saint is in training to serve and perform a duty in a coming ruling government.  The Church, in a sense, is the "proving ground" for the saints to be tested and trained for a future glorious purpose.  Therefore it is required that a saint be qualified to serve in a particular capacity or office in the coming government of God.  It is God that does the calling and then it is God that does the choosing.  This is why in Matt. 20:16 and 22:14 it states that many are "called", but few are "chosen".

Matt 20:16 So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen. (KJV)
Matt 22:14 For many are called, but few are chosen. (KJV)

The Church could be called God's method of determining which saints are qualified to be chosen for certain offices for a ruling position in the kingdom of God.  Every member of the Church is in training and has an office and a duty to the other members, and God knows what that office is.  Rom. 11:13 and 1 Tim. 3:1,10 are just three examples (among others) of training offices.

Romans 11:13 For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office: (KJV)
1 Timothy 3:1, 10 This [is] a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. 10 And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being [found] blameless. (KJV)

In the Church during Paul's day there was what was known the office of a "bishop" and the office of a "deacon" (1 Tim. 3:1, 10).  There are several other offices of government within the Church that could be mentioned.  The apostle Paul's office was to be an apostle of the "Gentiles" as was shown in Rom. 11:13.  It is very evident through simply Bible study that these "Gentiles" were lost Israelites that made up the northern ten tribes of Israel, which were not located in the area of Judea.  These Israelites were considered heathen people, and were biblically called "Gentiles" that were divorced from God and scattered to other nations.  They were therefore cut off from their inheritance through the Abrahamic covenant after they were put away in punishment.  The apostle Paul's office was to preach to these Gentiles that God has now made his peace with them, through the sacrifice of Christ.  These Gentiles through belief of the sacrifice of Christ were therefore once again in legal standing to inherit the promises of God.  The proper understanding of who the Gentiles are, and the importance of God's covenant made with Abraham, is explained in my booklets "Lost Israel and the Gentiles", and "Abraham's Covenant and Baptism".
    
If you will recall in 1 Cor. 1:2 and Rom. 1:7 that Paul stated that these believers were called to be saints.  It is interesting that Paul did not say that these saints were chosen.  Therefore it is possible to be "called" but not "chosen", which is what Christ stated in Matt. 20:16 and 22:14.  There are several scriptures showing examples how the word "chosen" is biblically used, and it is self-explanatory to see how this meaning is used.  It is important to understand that there must be qualifying conditions that are required for God to choose saints for a special purpose.  In Eph. 1:4 it states that we were chosen in Christ before the foundation of the world, and the condition is that we should be holy and without blame before him in love.  In 2 Thes. 2:13 it states that we were chosen to salvation, however the condition is that we must be sanctified by the Spirit and we must believe the truth.  Rev. 17:14 shows where both the words "called" and "chosen" are used.  This simply means, and common sense tells us, that a saint must first be called before he is chosen.

Ephesians 1:4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: (KJV)
2 Thessalonians 2:13 But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth. (KJV)
Revelation 17:14 These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him [are] called, and chosen, and faithful. (KJV)

Notice in Rev. 17:14 that the saints are with the Lord of lords and King of kings when he overcomes those that make war against the Lamb.  What we must understand is that saints must be sanctified by the Spirit, have a love of God, and have a love for the truth.  A saint must believe the truth of God and respond to the truth to be "chosen" and to be qualified to rule with Christ when he overcomes those that make war with him.  Notice in Heb. 12:22-23 that the Church in the eyes of God is considered as coming unto heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels.

Hebrews 12:22-23 But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, 23 To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, (KJV)

Also it is considered that the saints are a part of the "general assembly" and Church of the firstborn (Christ), which are all written in heaven.  It also mentions the spirits of just men that are made perfect (verse 23).  These are the spirits of the righteous saints that have died, and are now with God and Christ.  They were made perfect in heaven and are waiting for the resurrection, which proves that the spirits of saints are in a conscious state of mind after they have died.  This truth and understanding is addressed in my booklet "Life and Death".  What is this city of the living God called the "heavenly Jerusalem" spoken of in Heb. 12:22?  This is the city that God has prepared for all the righteous saints that have died.  It is also the same city that has many "mansions" in the Father's house that Christ prepared and is preparing for the believing saints.  See Heb. 11:16 and John 14:2.

Heb 11:16 But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city. (KJV)
John 14:2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. (KJV)

In the New Testament there is made mention of the saints many times.  Sixty one times to be exact, and every time except once it is in reference to the Church of God that the apostles write about.  There were Churches (plural) that were all founded in Christ, however it was still just one body.  This is important!  Notice the Churches (plural) of the saints mentioned in 1 Cor. 14:33.

1 Corinthians 14:33 For God is not [the author] of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints. (KJV)

The seven Churches (plural) in the book of Revelation will be discussed later.  Matt. 27:52 explains where many bodies of the saints that have died were brought back to life when Christ was crucified.  They lived again to later die again, and if they remained saints their spirits and souls went on to be with Christ.

Matt 27:52 And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, (KJV)

It is very important to understand that the saints that have died are with Christ now, and are going to return with Christ at his second coming.  Pay very close attention to 1 Thes. 3:13, 4:14 and Jude 1:14.

1 Thes 3:13 To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints. (KJV)
1 Thes 4:14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. (KJV)
Jude 1:14 And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints, (KJV)

Moses also made reference to ten thousands of saints, which means that Moses also quoted out of the writings of Enoch as did Jude.  See Deut. 33:2.

Deut 33:2 And he said, The LORD came from Sinai, and rose up from Seir unto them; he shined forth from mount Paran, and he came with ten thousands of saints: from his right hand went a fiery law for them. (KJV)

Notice again in 1 Thes. 4:14 that the saints which "sleep" in Jesus will God bring with Christ.  This "sleep" is not the kind of sleep that we experience with these physical bodies.  When saints die their souls and spirits return back to God, and are in a conscious state.  As was mentioned before, this truth is carefully explained in my booklet "Life and Death", and should therefore be requested and read very carefully.  The fact that the saints are in a conscious state of mind after they have died must be acknowledged if we are to understand the doctrine and subject of "what is the Church?".
    
The false doctrine of the "rapture" of the Church is believed on by millions of sincere people.  This belief of the rapture theory is easily accepted by those that are not familiar with what the Bible teaches about the Church.  Although many people believe the Bible teaches the rapture doctrine, the fact is there is no scripture evidence to support the claim that Christ will come to "rapture" his Church; if we want to be honest with the Bible!  Sincere people have been deceived into believing that God will take them out of the great tribulation that is prophesied to come on a godless world.  The very premise of the rapture doctrine goes against the teachings and examples given by the apostles themselves.  Acts 14:22 is only one example among others that show where saints suffered tribulation to be counted worthy to enter into the kingdom of God.

Acts 14:22 Confirming the souls of the disciples, [and] exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God. (KJV)

God allows the suffering of the saints for a glorious purpose.  The rapture theory is just that; only a theory and not a fact!  This theory is designed (certainly not by God) to make Christians feel "comfortable"; and gives them a false sense of "spiritual" security.  This false belief also spiritually "disarms" many sincere people.  There are numerous scriptures that disprove this false teaching of the rapture theory, however here are several scriptures that are my favorites when it comes to disproving this false doctrine.  According to Matt. 24:37-40 the second coming of Christ would be as in the days of Noah, and in verse 39 it states that the flood took them all "away".

Matt 24:37-40 But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. 38 For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, 39 And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. 40 Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. (KJV)

My question is, who are the ones that are "taken" and who are the ones that are "left" in verse 40?  Keep in mind that Christ compared the coming of the Son of man (Christ) with this event of Noah's flood taking the ungodly away and leaving the righteous.  Those who hold to the rapture theory say this is when the Church will be raptured, or shall we say "taken away".  If we use this logic it would mean that the wicked will be "raptured", which is correct!  The righteous will be left on the earth to start a new world with Christ and the kingdom of God.  Also in Luke 21:27-28 is the time frame when all the things including the great tribulation are taking place, and leading up to the coming of Christ.

Luke 21:27-28 And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh. (KJV)

This is very important to understand because the saints are now able to see Christ coming in a cloud with power and great glory.  These verses set the stage for the second coming of Christ.  The saints are to look up and to lift up their heads to actually witness the return of Christ, and then to receive the redemption (not rapture) of their bodies (verse 28).  My point is, they were not raptured previously since they were still on the earth and were looking up.  These saints that are looking up will be "changed" instantly as Paul states in 1 Cor. 15:52; "In a moment, in the twinkling of a eye, at the last trump"!  Study this verse very carefully.

1 Cor 15:52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. (KJV)

The countdown of these events comes in stages known as the seven trumpets according to the book of Revelation, and these trumpets sounds are very important to understand!  1 Cor. 15:52 is the exact time that the last (seventh) trumpet sounds, and it is when the resurrection takes place; not the rapture.  The saints that are looking up will receive their glorified bodies without having to die.  This is why they are able to be "caught up" in the air to meet all the saints that have died and were in heaven with Christ.  Christ at his second coming will bring these saints with him that were in heaven as we have seen previously in 1 Thes. 3:14 and 4:14.  They will be joined in the clouds with those saints that witnessed Christ's return.  1 Thes. 4:17 explains this fact very clearly.

1 Thessalonians 4:17 Then we which are alive [and] remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. (KJV)

Christ does not come to rapture these saints away since he comes with power and great glory.  Which means he will stay on the earth to set up his kingdom to rule with power and great glory.  The point is, these saints which were alive and remained (1 Thes. 4:17) were still on the earth, and were not raptured away to escape the severe times that came on an ungodly world.  Those that hold to the rapture theory claim that these are Christians that were not worthy to be raptured previously, therefore they had to go through the great tribulation.  The Bible simply does not make this distinction and difference with believers in Christ.  Selfish men that would like to think so have made this difference.  The Bible has not!  It is however true that saints can be found worthy to be protected (not raptured), and therefore escape these severe times of trouble known as the great tribulation.  Read and believe Luke 21:36.

Luke 21:36 Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man. (KJV)

However it is required that the saints are to pray always that they may to be accounted worthy to escape these times of trouble, and then to stand (not be raptured) before the Son of man.  To escape and be protected from all these things (great tribulation), does not mean the Church will be raptured out of this world and out of all the evil that will happen to a Godless world.  Christ wished and prayed for his Church to stay in this evil world, but that his Church should be kept from evil.  See John 17:15, 20.

John 17:15, 20 I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.  20 Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; (KJV)

This is a prayer that Christ prayed to his Father concerning his apostles that they should not be taken out of the world.  However this prayer of Christ is also for those that believe on Christ through the apostles word (verse 20).  This brings us to the present day since we have the words of the apostles (New Testament), and it is by these inspired writings that we believe on Christ.  From the words of Christ himself it is his prayer that his Church not be "raptured" or taken out of the world.  However it is also Christ's prayer that his Church should be protected and kept from evil.
    
It is necessary for the saints to remain (1 Thes. 4:17) in this evil world until death.  However they are to "overcome" this evil world with a love of the truth, and are to respond and act on the calling and invitation of God.  This is a major role and responsibility of the Church since it would be impossible to overcome this evil world without the help, spiritual guidance, and the balance that the Church provides!  The saints are called out of this evil world and society because they love God and the truth of the Bible; and as a natural response in obeying the truth are seeking fellowship and assembly with other saints.  The saints are also growing in grace and in the knowledge of Christ, as it shows in 2 Pet. 3:18.

2 Peter 3:18 But grow in grace, and [in] the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him [be] glory both now and for ever. Amen. (KJV)

The overcoming saints have responded to the invitation and appointment of God, and are sincere in qualifying themselves as a king or priest to rule with Christ in the kingdom of God on this earth.  The saints have also separated themselves from the vain things of this world so that Christ can work within his Church to train and make kings and priests so that God can use them to restore the earth back to him.  Study and understand Rev. 5:10.

Rev 5:10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth. (KJV)

The Body of Christ

In the New Testament the "body of Christ" is mentioned several times.  Is the body of Christ considered to be the Church?  According to 1 Cor. 12:27 and Col. 1:18 the members of the Church make up the body of Christ, and he is the head of the "body"; which is the Church.  This is very important to understand!

1 Corinthians 12:27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular. (KJV)
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. (KJV)

Also in Eph. 1:22-23 it says that God has put all things under the feet of Christ, and this honor is now given to the Church which is his body; and Christ is the head of that body.  Again it states that the Church is the fullness of his body that fills "all in all".  In Col. 1:24 it states that Paul suffered afflictions in his flesh for the sake of Christ's body, which is the Church.

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. (KJV)
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: (KJV)

These scriptures prove that the Church can correctly be called the body of Christ.  The purpose of Christ's death was so that the Church (his body) would have life since the Church was "spiritually dead" because of Adam's sin.  As it states in 2 Cor. 5:14-15; "because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead".  Just the body of Christ died, and not Christ himself since he was God in the flesh.

2 Corinthians 5:14-15 For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:
15 And [that] he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again. (KJV)

It could be said that Christ as the second Adam restored life to his own body.  This is why the Church does not and cannot live unto itself, but is dependent on Christ who died for the Church and rose again to give it life (verse 15).  When did the body of Christ have it's beginning, or more correctly stated, when in history did the Church start?  In Acts 7:38 it talks about the Church in the wilderness, which means that the Church was certainly in existence during the time of Moses.

Acts 7:38 This is he, that was in the church in the wilderness with the angel which spake to him in the mount Sina, and with our fathers: who received the lively oracles to give unto us: (KJV)

Who were the first members of the Church?  It obviously was Adam and Abel since this is when the temporary sacrifices of Adam's sin were started, and were recognized and accepted by God.  Cain's sacrifice was not accepted since it was not a blood and fat sacrifice.  Adam understood why his sin caused a drastic change to come to his body, and he also knew what was required for the "remedy" of his sin.  Adam also knew that Cain was not of his lineage, therefore he taught Abel instead of Cain to choose the blood and the fat sacrifice.  See Gen. 4:4.

Genesis 4:4 And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering: (KJV)

The old covenant under Moses had many examples of blood and fat animal sacrifices that provided temporary sacrifices for Adam's sin.  The blood and the fat came to Adam's body as a result of his sin, and this fact should tell us something about the body of Adam before he sinned.  This truth is addressed in my booklet "Abraham's Covenant and Baptism", and should be carefully read to understand why blood was required to make atonement for sin.  Abel is the first one mentioned in the faith chapter of Heb. 11 as being an "elder".  I believe Abel is one of the four and twenty "elders" mentioned several times in the book of Revelation.  There was also a training office that was known as the office of an "elder" in the early Church.  The other elders along with Abel are also mentioned in the faith chapter of Hebrews as is shown in Heb. 11:2, 4.

Hebrews 11:2, 4 For by it the elders obtained a good report. 4 By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh. (KJV)

Christ's body was prepared before the sacrifices and offerings were instituted by Adam.  This preparation of Christ's body takes you back before the Garden of Eden.  God did not really want these temporary sacrifices and offerings since they were not the real remedy for the Adamic sin.  Pay very close attention to Heb. 10:5.

Hebrews 10:5 Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me: (KJV)

However the temporary sacrifices of fat and blood were acceptable since the real sacrifice of Adam's sin (body of Christ) was prepared before Adam sinned.  Christ was foreordained to be the sacrifice for Adam's sin before the foundation of the world.  However his body was as good as dead (the Lamb slain) after Adam sinned, since this sin took place from the foundation of the world.  Study 1 Pet. 1:20 and Rev. 13:8 very carefully.

1 Peter 1:20 Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, (KJV)
Revelation 13:8 And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. (KJV)

The phrase "foundation of the world" is very important to understand, and is explained in my booklet "The World Before Adam".  Adam's sin caused the six day creation to fail and become useless to God, which called for the suffering and death of Jesus Christ.  This truth will show why the temporary sacrifices for the Adamic sin were needed, and also why the laws of Sabbath "works" were needed.  This truth is explained in my booklet "The Seventh Day".  The body of Christ is compared to our own physical bodies as having many members (body parts), however all the members have not the same function (office) as we have seen previously. See Rom. 12:4-5.

Romans 12:4-5 For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: 5 So we, [being] many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. (KJV)

These many members make up the one body of Christ, and these many members are not divided since they are members of one another (verse 5).  This is important!  The many members all have the same thought and objective in mind, but with different functions and "offices".  The symbols of the wine and the unleavened bread that we partake of at communion service represent the shed blood of the body of Christ, and that we are one bread partaking of one another.  Christ symbolically is that one "bread".  This is very important to understand, and 1 Cor. 10:16-17 explains this truth very well!

1 Corinthians 10:16-17 The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? 17 For we [being] many are one bread, [and] one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread. (KJV)

At the last supper Christ also showed a beautiful example of a symbolic "cleansing" of his own body by the act of washing the feet of the apostles.  Baptism is also a symbolic washing and cleansing.  See Acts 22:16.

Acts 22:16 And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord. (KJV)

This act of Christ washing the feet of the apostles by implication, was as if Christ washed his own feet!  Understand this very important simple truth!  This example of washing feet was something very serious since Christ told Peter he would have no part with him if Peter would not allow this to be done to him.  In response to this statement by Christ, Peter changed his mind very quickly; and therefore wanted Christ to wash more than just his feet!  Read and study these scriptures found in John 13:8-9 and 14-15.

John 13:8-9 Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me. 9 Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also [my] hands and [my] head. (KJV)
John 13:14-15 If I then, [your] Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet. 15 For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. (KJV)

After Christ washed the feet of the apostles he stated that this was an example that they were then to wash one another's feet.  Of course it could be said that the apostles went bare-footed and their feet were soiled and needed washing.  However it was obvious that this was something very unusual for Christ to do this to the apostles, because of the way Peter responded and reacted (John 13: 8-9).  The lesson in the symbolic washing of feet is very simple.  The premise of this lesson is to keep in mind that none of us would never hesitate or refuse to wash our own feet!  Are we not members of one another, and at the same time make up the one body of Christ?  I ask you; since we are all members of the body of Christ, what is the difference in washing our own feet compared to washing the feet of other members since we are all members of the same body? 

Again I ask; what is the difference in partaking of the example of washing feet compared with partaking of the symbols of the unleavened bread and wine since they both represent the one body of Christ?  Once again I have to ask; what is the difference in the symbol of baptism compared to the symbol of washing feet since they both show a symbolic "cleansing"?  We have to acknowledge that this example of washing feet showed a "cleansing" because of what Christ himself stated in John 13:10-11, and notice how he used the word "clean".

John 13:10-11 Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash [his] feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all. 11 For he knew who should betray him; therefore said he, Ye are not all clean. (KJV)

The lesson for brothers and sisters in doing this in humility cuts through a lot of pretense and self pride that we all have, which must be rooted out!  There is a profound reason for Christ to set this example with the apostles in showing that they are one body that needed spiritual cleansing; especially at the close of this most holy ceremony of communion showing Christ's death!  There is another case of washing feet found in 1 Tim. 5:9-10.  Notice in these verses the conditions, and the little word "if", regarding a widow under sixty years of age to be "taken into the number".

1 Timothy 5:9-10 Let not a widow be taken into the number under threescore years old, having been the wife of one man, 10 Well reported of for good works; if she have brought up children, if she have lodged strangers, if she have washed the saints' feet, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently followed every good work. (KJV)

Paul laid down some conditions for a widow to be a member, which included the washing of the saints feet.  However I have a question as to whether this particular case of washing feet was a part of communion service, or just a custom of common courtesy done to the saints.  The other conditions obviously were not a part of the communion service.  However I do believe that these women also washed the saints feet during a communion service.  The fact that this was a custom during this time in history could explain why Christ chose to use this custom as an example of a spiritual cleansing.  Christ did say that he did this as an example.  See John 13:15.

John 13:15 For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. (KJV)

This example simply means that we should also copy or imitate this precious ceremony at the close of a communion service showing we also are members of the one body of Christ that need to be spiritually cleansed.  We are all members of one another, and all have the same "head" which is Christ.  The following scriptures prove and show how important it is to understand what the body of Christ really is!

1 Corinthians 6:15 Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? shall I then take the members of Christ, and make [them] the members of an harlot? God forbid. (KJV)
1 Corinthians 12:18 But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. (KJV)
1 Corinthians 12:20 But now [are they] many members, yet but one body. (KJV)
1 Corinthians 12:27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular. (KJV)

1 Cor. 6:15 explains that our bodies are actually the members (body parts) of Christ.  Christ would never join his body to a harlot in sexual union.  Which simply means by implication; God forbid that we should also not join our bodies to an harlot since we are actually Christ's body!  1 Cor. 12:18 explains that God decides how and where the members are best suited to "fit" in the body for the benefit of all the members.  1 Cor. 12:20, 27 show that there are many members that make up the one body of Christ,  however it is but one body!  This is so important to understand since it is impossible for this body to be divided into several bodies.  However with pain and grief it is possible for the body to lose members in the same way as losing a "body part".  This is clearly understood in the fact that we actually make up the "flesh and bone" body of Christ!  See Eph. 5:30.

Ephesians 5:30 For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. (KJV)

It is very interesting that Adam made this similar statement concerning his wife Eve.  Adam proclaimed that Eve was "now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh" (Gen. 2:23).

Genesis 2:23 And Adam said, This [is] now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man. (KJV)

Isn't it ironic that the second Adam (Christ) would make the same statement through the apostle Paul concerning the Church as was shown in Eph. 5:30.  The Church can legally be called Christ's wife and is the vehicle of the thinking and acting of Jesus Christ!  Christ is the head (thinking) of the Church which is Christ's own flesh and bone body, and it is an actual living "organism" with many members that are doing the work of God on this earth!  This truth is very important to understand!  Eph. 5:23 is a beautiful scripture showing that Christ is the head of the Church in the same way a husband is the head of the wife.

Ephesians 5:23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. (KJV)

Christ is the savior of the body and will restore his body (the Church) as the first Adam's body was before he sinned.  This is the salvation that's talked about repeatedly in the New Testament, and this salvation is dependent on the members in being faithful to remain a member of the body of Christ until death.  How was it possible for the apostles to perform miracles and healings, and how was it possible for Peter to actually restore life to the woman that died?  The fact is, it was not the apostles that were doing the miracles, and it was not Peter that raised the woman from the dead.  All these miracles and healings were performed many times throughout the book of Acts, and they were all done by Jesus Christ!  It was not done by the apostles own power or holiness as it shows in Acts 3:12.

Acts 3:12 And when Peter saw [it], he answered unto the people, Ye men of Israel, why marvel ye at this? or why look ye so earnestly on us, as though by our own power or holiness we had made this man to walk? (KJV)

Rom. 7:4 shows an important truth concerning the Church becoming dead to the same law that demanded the perfect sacrifice (body of Christ).  The truth is, the Church died with Christ since it was his own body.

Romans 7:4 Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, [even] to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God. (KJV)

As we have previously seen, the body of Christ was as good as dead after Adam sinned.  This is why the church also became "spiritually" dead when Adam sinned, since the Church is the body of Christ.  According to Rom. 7:4 the Church and Christ are legally married, and are one in thought and objective.  Since Christ was raised from the dead the Church is now also "raised" from the dead and legally married to Christ, and it is expected that the Church bring forth fruit unto God as we have seen in Rom. 7:4.  This is a profound and beautiful truth concerning the Church!  The members of the Church have the awesome responsibility to increase the one body of Christ.  It is very important to understand that the body of Christ has "joints" and "bands" that are fitly joined and compacted together.  This body is knit together and is being nourished and is increasing by the edifying of itself in love.  Notice that this increase is called the increase of God.  Read Eph. 4:16 and Col. 2:19 carefully and try to comprehend how and why love plays a major role with this growth and increase of God.

Ephesians 4:16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love. (KJV)
Colossians 2:19 And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God. (KJV)

In order for this one body to grow and increase it must be nourished with spiritual food, and all the members must love and respect one another.  The words "joints" and "bands" in Col. 2:19 are nos. 860 and 4886 in Strong's lexicon, and they mean bond and connection.  It is self-evident to see why these words are used to show a certain meaning.

860 haphe {haf-ay'} from 680;; n fAV - joint 2; 2 1) bond, connection 4886 sundesmos {soon'-des-mos} from 4862 and 1199; TDNT - 7:856,1114; n m  AV - bond 3, band 1; 4
1) that which binds together, a band, bond 1a) of ligaments by which the members of the human body are united together 2) that which is bound together, a bundle

The members of the body of Christ are bonded and connected together the same as actual ligaments of the human body (1a).  This is so important to understand since the building of this body is only possible through strong bonds of love and respect toward the other members of that one body.  This love and respect must be active, because this will demonstrate the proper faith.  The doctrine of brotherly love is a major doctrine of the New Testament as is shown in 1 Pet. 1:22, 1 John 3:14 and John 13:35.

1 Peter 1:22 Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, [see that ye] love one another with a pure heart fervently: (KJV)
1 John 3:14 We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not [his] brother abideth in death. (KJV)
John 13:35 By this shall all [men] know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. (KJV)

The Purpose of the Church

What is the purpose of the Church, and why is it necessary for Christ to build his Church?  This is a very important question, and by now we should all be aware what the answer is to this question.  The building of Christ's body must be done very carefully with the truths of the Bible.  It therefore is not an easy work in a deceived and ungodly world.  Eph. 4:11-13 are key scriptures that basically sum up the purpose of the Church, and what the responsibility of the Church is.

Ephesians 4:11-13 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: (KJV)

It is God that provides the apostles, prophets, pastors and teachers for the perfecting of the saints, the work of the ministry, and for edifying the body of Christ.  What is the purpose of all this?  The answer is found in verse 13.  It is very important to understand that the unity of the faith, the knowledge of the Son of God, and the same stature of the fullness of Christ requires a process of time with much training and patience.  However with God it is possible to grant repentance and salvation to saints that have not had the opportunity (through no fault of their own) to assemble and fellowship with others of like mind.  Nevertheless they still have missed out in the blessing of unity, the joys and laughter in fellowship, and the spiritual training that the Church provides.  True fellowship at every opportunity should never be neglected with the saints.  This is how strong bonds are established and built, which is very important to God and to the saints.  Most important, without regular assembly a saint will miss out in the understanding of correct doctrine and theology since the Church is also the pillar and ground of the truth, as it shows in 1 Tim. 3:15.

1 Timothy 3:15 But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth. (KJV)

Since the Church is the pillar and ground of the truth, this is not to say that the members are not in error in some areas of doctrine and theology.  Please keep in mind that this training requires growth, and is done through a process of time.  It is a hard and slow process that requires much sacrifice, self denial, and most important; commitment.  However it is an honor and a privilege to respond to the invitation and calling of God, and to know that we can be involved in something that is much bigger than what we can comprehend; or could ever imagine with our fleshly minds.  The relationship that Christ has with his Church is reflected as a marriage, and in the same way as a husband should have toward his wife.  In Eph. 5:23-25 it explains that Christ is the head of the Church, and the Church is subject unto Christ.

Ephesians 5:23-25 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. 24 Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so [let] the wives [be] to their own husbands in every thing. 25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; (KJV)

It then explains that wives should also be in subjection in the same manner to their own husbands in everything.  The husbands should also love their wives as Christ also loved the Church and gave himself for it.  In Eph. 5:29-30 Paul shows that the Church is the actual flesh and bones of Christ, and he nourishes and cherishes it.

Ephesians 5:29-30 For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church: 30 For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. (KJV)

Christ has a glorified flesh and bone body, and the members of the Church are "parts" of that body.  It is unrealistic for us to think that we could possibly be an arm or a leg or maybe a very small cell in this glorified body.  However in verse 30 that is exactly what the apostle Paul said that we are members of.  Notice in Luke 24:39 that Christ's resurrected body was composed of actual flesh and bones, therefore was not spirit as many people have always assumed that it was.

Luke 24:39 Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have. (KJV)

The natural response and commitment a husband has toward his wife is to nourish and cherish her.  However Paul states in Eph. 5:32 that this commitment was a great mystery!

Ephesians 5:32 This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church. (KJV)

Why would a man as a natural response and commitment want to nourish and cherish a wife as his own flesh?  It is also the natural response for Christ to nourish and to cherish his wife, which is the Church.  When God presented Eve to Adam as his wife, Adam said Eve was now bone of his bones and flesh of his flesh.  Adam also stated this is why a man would leave his father and mother and cleave to his wife and the two shall be one flesh.  See  Gen. 2:23-24.

Genesis 2:23-24 And Adam said, This [is] now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man. 24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh. (KJV)

Keep in mind this statement was made by Adam before Eve sinned and brought about the fall of Adam.  This is also the very same statement made by the apostle Paul concerning Christ and the Church, as it plainly shows in Eph. 5:31!

Ephesians 5:31 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. (KJV)

This is very important to understand!  In a legal and biological sense Adam's wife Eve and Christ's wife the Church are one and the same!  This is possible since the wife of Christ physically came from Adam and Eve.  The theme and objective of the teachings of the New Testament is to legally restore the wife of Christ to the same standing as Adam's wife was before she sinned.  However there is a very serious and major problem that Christ has with his wife!  Christ's wife is born in sin, rebellion, and deception; and she certainly does not want to join with her husband as one flesh!  The most serious problem with Christ's wife is that she does not know who she is, and she is not even aware that she doesn't know!  What a problem!  She is deceived in the same manner that Eve also was deceived.  It is very important that you read my booklet "Lost Israel and the Gentiles" to understand who the wife of Christ really is.
    
So what is the purpose of the Church?  It is to bring truth and understanding to the wife of Christ as to who she really is.  It is to provide for the spiritual care and protection of Christ's wife from a deceived and evil world with all its false gods and religions.  The Church is to nourish and cherish Christ's wife, and through patience and love bring her to the same measure of the stature and fulness of her husband, as it explains in Eph. 4:13.

Ephesians 4:13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: (KJV)

The word "stature" is no. 2244 in Strong's lexicon, and it is interesting to see that it means "age".  How is the Church to train and nourish Christ's wife to the same "age" and the fullness of Christ?

2244 helikia {hay-lik-ee'-ah} from the same as 2245; TDNT - 2:941,308; n f  AV - stature 5, age 3; 8
1) age, time of life 1a) age, term or length of life 1b) adult age, maturity 1c) suitable age for anything 1d) metaph. of an attained state fit for a thing 2) stature, i.e in height and comeliness of stature

The same age of Christ of course means eternal life.  The Church is to train and prepare Christ's wife to be able to receive eternal life.  The Church is to also train Christ's wife to qualify her to receive rewards, positions and offices in the coming kingdom of god.  As was mentioned earlier, it is possible for Christ to save members of his flesh and bone body if it is not possible for a member to have the blessings and benefit of an assembly of saints.  Most of us have heard this term "eternal life" many times in our so-called Christian society.  However do we really understand what eternal life is?  Keep in mind since we are "trapped" in time and in this physical realm we are therefore very limited in understanding spiritual and eternal things?  Jesus Christ explained in John 17:3 that to know the Father which is the only true God, and to know Jesus Christ is life eternal (note the word "is").

John 17:3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. (KJV)

According to Christ, this understanding will lead to eternal life; which is why Christ could proclaim that to know him and his Father is life eternal.  How do we come to really know God the Father and his son Jesus Christ?  The answer is obvious, and it is found in John 1:1, 14, and John 17:17.

John 1:1, 14 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. (KJV)
John 17:17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. (KJV)

Jesus Christ is the Word of God, and he was made flesh and dwelt among us.  To know Christ is to know and understand the Word of God!  It is important to understand that Christ is full of grace as well as truth (verse 14).  This is an important truth, and this grace will be explained later.  The Church is sanctified through understanding the truth of the Bible (John 17:17).  Jesus Christ has the words of eternal life, and he gradually and systematically reveals this understanding to those members that remain a part of his body.  However it must be done through the process of spiritual training, and a saint must have a profound love and hunger for truth.  Notice in 2 Pet. 2:2 that this process is called the way of truth, and not necessarily all the truth.  It is the way that leads to all the truth.  This concept is very important to understand!

2 Peter 2:2 And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. (KJV)

Christ has the words of eternal life, and he would love to reveal and tell it all to his Church!  However there are those that simply could not absorb or "bear" what Christ would love to reveal to his Church.  The apostle Peter understood that Christ had the words to eternal life.  However Christ had to withhold "many things" from the apostles, because they could not "bear" the things that Christ would have loved to tell them.  Please read and understand John 6:68 and 16:12.

John 6:68 Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. (KJV)
John 16:12 I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. (KJV)

Christ knows that to reveal his precious truth to those that consider his suffering and his death as just another faith and religion, would be unfruitful and also very dangerous.  We are automatically held accountable to what we know in our hearts as to be the truth of God!  This is why the truth of God must be handled very carefully!  Those members of Christ's body that believe and respond to truth, and are in the process of overcoming this evil world with its lusts; will have the same mind which also was in Christ Jesus (Phil. 2:5).

Philippians 2:5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: (KJV)

If you will recall in John 1:14 that Christ was full of grace and truth.  In 2 Pet 3:18 it states that we are to grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Savior Jesus Christ.

2 Peter 3:18 But grow in grace, and [in] the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him [be] glory both now and for ever. Amen. (KJV)

It is self-evident that we must be willing to believe the Bible, and we must assemble regularly with others of like mind if we are to grow in knowledge.  My question is; how is a saint to grow in grace?  I believe for a saint to grow in grace is determined by the degree of effort a saint does in being instrumental in increasing the Church.  You fathers know very well how your little children can obtain grace from you.  It is by being obedient to the Father's calling and invitation to help increase the Church.  To know the Father and his son Jesus Christ is to know how to obtain the grace as well as to understand the truth of God!  The primary objective and purpose of the Church is to teach and explain the grace, as well as to teach the truth of God to the wife of Christ.  It is very important that the Church must do this work with wisdom to a deceived and divorced wife of Christ.  The wife of Christ technically cannot be called his wife, since she was divorced as a result of her adulterous ways and rebellion toward her husband during the rule of the old covenant.  My booklet "Lost Israel and the Gentiles" explains this truth very well.
    
The purpose of the Church is to proclaim that God has made peace with the divorced wife of Christ, and she now can legally be married and become his wife again.  Through repentance and obeying the truth of the Bible she once again can inherit all the promises of God through the covenant given to our father Abraham.  My booklet "Abraham's Covenant and Baptism" explains why the covenant that God give to Abraham is the basis and foundation of our Christian faith.  It is a biblical fact that all the epistles written by the apostle Paul, including most of the other epistles, began with the words peace, mercy, or grace mentioned in the first several verses.  Christ has made peace and now extends his mercy and grace towards his divorced wife, because he paid the penalty for her sins and suffered and died for her! 

During the days of the apostles generally the believers understood who they were.  However the problem we have today is that believers do not know who they are, which makes the purpose and the work of the Church that much more difficult!  This is because we live in a so-called Christian society with its many churches that are determined to proclaim that the Christian faith can include all people in all the world.  The subject of the "wife of Christ" is seldom ever discussed, and is therefore the reason why we do not know who we are as a people!  Our deceived churches make the serious mistake of separating the covenant of inheritance from the Christian faith, and teach that this covenant was only for the "Jews".  They have unknowingly separated and disinherited themselves from becoming the "wife of Christ"!

The Seven Churches

I want to briefly attempt to explain something about the seven Churches mentioned in the first several chapters of the book of Revelation.  I feel this is very important since the theme of the Revelation letter is to show Christ's servants (which is the Church) things that are about to happen to an ungodly world prior to the return of Christ.  See Rev. 1:1.

Revelation 1:1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified [it] by his angel unto his servant John: (KJV)

First of all, the word "revelation" means a revealing, or to show an understanding.  Christ is about to show an understanding of prophesy that must shortly come to pass.  The reason his servants need to know these things is so they can prepare themselves to endure through these trying times, and to receive the resurrection of their bodies.  This revealing of Christ was told to the apostle John by an angel that Christ sent to him.  This prophesy was sent to seven Churches that were actual Churches that existed at that time in history, and were located in an area what was known as Asia.  Notice in Rev. 1:4 that John made it clear at the beginning of his letter that God had grace and has made peace with these Churches, as also did the apostle Paul in all his letters, as we have previously seen.

Revelation 1:4 John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace [be] unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne; (KJV)

It is important that you take the time to carefully read and analyze the deceptions and the sins that these seven Churches were involved with.  Each Church had a unique attitude problem that Christ warned that they had better repent of.  It is also important to see the rewards and the salvation that was promised if these Churches repented of all these bad attitudes and sins. These Churches of course have long ago been physically dissolved, and have disappeared from the world scene.  However I have a question as to whether the attitudes and the deceptions of these Churches have also disappeared and are no longer around.  I was told in past years that these seven Churches were Church "eras" that came in existence and in succession of each other throughout history beginning when this prophesy was written.  However the Revelation letter plainly states that these Churches all existed together at the same time during the days of the apostle John.
    
The whole purpose of the Revelation letter was to show these Churches things they needed to repent of so they would be prepared for the return of Jesus Christ.  Meaning of course that these Churches would be on the world scene just prior to the second coming of Jesus Christ with power!  Why did Christ even reveal this prophesy to the apostle John to send to these seven Churches, if the catastrophic events leading to his second coming did not apply directly to these seven Churches?  I believe the sins and the attitude problems of these Churches did not dissolve and disappear when these Churches physically and geographically ceased to exist in a location called Asia.  The same deceptions and sins of these Churches were carried over in the middle ages and filtered throughout Europe, and was accepted into the Christian culture.  I believe the origin of our own belief system that we have in our modern-day Christian world has all of the attitudes and deceptions of these seven Churches; especially the attitude of the Laodicean Church.  Carefully read and understand Rev. 3:14-17.

Revelation 3:14-17 And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; 15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. 16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. 17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: (KJV)

The attitude of being "lukewarm" is a very dangerous position to be in since this means that this Church "is on the fence", so to speak, with Christ.  Christ has to make an eternal decision regarding this Church.  If this "lukewarm" attitude does not fit with the attitude of our modern Christian world, then nothing will!  This attitude is not acceptable to be a part of Christ's body.  In verse 16, Christ either had an upset stomach or a very bad taste in his mouth since he was about to vomit and spit this Church out of his mouth!  This is the attitude of a spoiled, rebellious, and a self-righteous Church.  However this Church happens to be the divorced wife of Christ, and it was her last chance to repent of her sins!  It appears that the Philadelphia Church was the only Church that Christ was pleased with.  Notice in Rev. 3:10 that this Church will be kept from the hour of temptation that the world would have to endure.  This is talking about events just before Christ's return!

Revelation 3:10 Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. (KJV)

In Rev. 3:3 is another event describing the return of Christ.  The Sardis Church was told to "watch" since Christ was coming as a thief (unexpected).  This is the same language Christ used in Matt. 24:42-43 describing his second coming.  See also 1 Thes. 5:2.

Revelation 3:3 Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee. (KJV)
Matthew 24:42-43 Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. 43  But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. (KJV)
1 Thessalonians 5:2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. (KJV)

Christ also warned the other Churches to repent because he was to come quickly.  Please understand the urgency for these Churches to repent!  The only conclusion we can come to is that the attitudes of these Churches were all present within the body of Christ prior to the resurrection and his second coming.  This is very important to understand since time was about to expire for these Churches to repent, and prepare themselves for the resurrection.  I suspect and do believe that these Churches (divorced wife of Christ) will never repent.  I also believe there will come out of these seven Churches another Church of sincere people that will repent.  This other Church (eighth) will be chosen to withstand and witness against the "man of sin".  This could be the "woman" (along with the Philadelphia Church), that is promised protection during these trying times.  See Rev. 12:16-17.

Revelation 12:16-17 And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed up the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth. 17 And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ. (KJV)

However, the remnant of her seed (the ones left behind) appear not to be counted worthy to escape the wrath of the "dragon".  This remnant is keeping the commandments of God and they have the "testimony" of Jesus Christ (verse 17).  The testimony of Jesus, according to Rev. 19:10, is the spirit of prophecy.

Revelation 19:10 And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See [thou do it] not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. (KJV)

Which means the ones left behind to face the "dragon" understood (however too late) the prophecy of what was prophesied concerning the Churches that did not repent.  This remnant has now repented and they are now keeping the commandments of God as was explained in Rev. 12:17. God has made peace and has given grace (as we have seen) to the divorced wife of Christ, and she still has time and opportunity to repent of her sins.  However there is coming a time when this peace and grace will have to be removed to allow the "man of sin" to have his rule on a deceived and godless world.  Could this be the time when these unrepentant Churches will fall from grace?  Could this be the event known as the "falling away" spoken of by the apostle Paul that is found in 2 Thes. 2:3, 6-7?  Read these verses carefully since this is the exact time frame when this "falling away" takes place spoken of in these verses.

2 Thessalonians 2:3, Let no man deceive you by any means: for [that day shall not come], except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; (KJV)
2 Thessalonians 2:6-7 And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time. {withholdeth: or, holdeth} 7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth [will let], until he be taken out of the way. (KJV)

I believe verses 6 and 7 can be explained in this following interpretation.  Saints that repent of sin and respond to the invitation and calling of God are under grace and peace.  However the Spirit of God is made available as a comfort, and also as a help for the saints to keep the commandments of God.  The calling of God has to take place in a deceived and evil world since this is where the saints are!  This fact and truth is what is "withholding" (verse 6), or restraining the man of sin from being revealed before the time that he is destined to rule.  This deceived world is under the false concept that God's law is done away, which is known as the "mystery of iniquity" (verse 7).  This deception of lawlessness (iniquity) is why it will be possible for the man of sin to deceive the world into believing that he is God!  See 2 Thes. 2:4.

2 Thessalonians 2:4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God. (KJV)

The Spirit of God must be taken out of the way along with grace and peace in order to let this man of sin be revealed, and to allow his rule on a deceived world.  Please review and read 2 Thes. 2:6-7 again.   When this happens the call of God will cease, and the divorced wife of Christ will have the door of repentance shut on her.  She will then have to go through the worst time of slaughter and martyrdom of the saints that this world has ever known.  This is the time known as the great tribulation, and also could be called the time of Jacob's trouble (wife of Christ).  See Jer. 30:7 and Matt. 24:21.

Jeremiah 30:7 Alas! for that day [is] great, so that none [is] like it: it [is] even the time of Jacob's trouble; but he shall be saved out of it. (KJV)
Matthew 24:21 For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. (KJV)

She will have to make her own atonement for her sins since she refused to acknowledge who she was, and also refused to prepare herself as one flesh to join with her husband as his wife.

In Conclusion

Most modern-day churches are not aware that they are being systematically conditioned to accept the one world economic and religious system.  I believe the Spirit of God is moving across this country, and is calling and inviting sincere truth seeking people out of all the "spiritual mess" that has been caused throughout history by the attitudes and deceptions of six of the seven Churches.  The Spirit of God only seeks and follows the path of least resistance in accepting the truth of the Bible!  Believing and following the truth of the Bible is the name of the game!  To believe false doctrines and to obey the customs of false gods is dangerous, and is spiritual poison to your soul!  You are a part of and a member of the actual glorified flesh and bone body of Jesus Christ, and he is the thinking (head) of that body!  Suppose you are an unfortunate soul that happens to believe in the rapture theory.  My suggestion to you would be to get rid of that deception and belief!  Suppose you are someone that believes Christ was just an angel, or just another nice man that happened to be a great spiritual teacher. 

My suggestion is that you begin to think on Jesus Christ as the Creator of the universe!  Suppose you were at one time a member of a fellowship group that has broken away from the attitudes of the rebellious divorced wife of Christ.  Keep in mind you were convinced that Christ was working with this group that you felt was honestly seeking and following truth.  However you have chosen to depart and go elsewhere to seek assembly and fellowship, and by this decision you know in your heart it was division.  I need not remind you that you still are a "body part" of the actual glorified body of Jesus Christ, and that body is not divided!  It would be very wise to reconsider what you have done, and reconcile again to prepare and train yourself to be as one flesh with no division within the one body.  It is impossible for division to be in Christ's body! 

The Church can only function with the one mind (head) of Christ with no division to prepare the future wife of Christ as one flesh.  Suppose you are someone that regards the mainstream ministers that we repeatedly see and hear on television as "men of God".  You might want to look closely in your Bible and study into the lives of the real men of God that the Bible talks about.  Then compare these real men of God with the men of today that are very skilled in speaking, and are able to convince even poor widows to support and finance their rich and luxurious lifestyles.  It is indeed a shame and a disgrace to think that we of all people, as a blessed people of God, have sunk to this level of spiritual "garbage".
    
This great nation is on the verge of losing the blessings, the freedoms, and the national greatness that was founded on Biblical values and principals.  Let it be recorded in future history the reason for the downfall of this great nation is because our churches have failed in their responsibility to teach the truth of the Bible, and the truth of who we really are as a nation and a people.  Our churches have also failed to identify the enemy that is using our news media, our government, our colleges and schools to deceive the divorced wife of Christ.  Most important, we as a deceived people have allowed the enemies of Christ to influence and deceive our churches as to who the divorced wife really is.  The deceived churches have failed to explain that these enemies have a natural hatred toward God, and have a natural hatred toward the divorced wife of Christ.  The modern-day churches are not at all aware that God himself put that enmity and hatred there for a purpose.
    
After Christ ascended back to heaven he "captured" his Church, which was held "captive" by the unseen powers of deception and wickedness.  Christ delivered his Church from the devil and the fallen angels, and therefore out of love he gave "gifts" to his Church.  He did not leave his Church helpless!  Christ started and built his Church with the help of the apostles, and then with the help of prophets and teachers.  Afterward with miracles, special "gifts" and "helps", etc.  See Eph. 4:8 and 1 Cor. 12:28.

Ephesians 4:8 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. (KJV)
1 Corinthians 12:28 And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. (KJV)

These gifts are freely given by an all wise resurrected Jesus Christ to be used in faith by his Church when it is in need of them!  They are not some emotional "fantasy" to be misused such as "speaking in tongues", which many misguided people practice in today's churches.  Christ will not repent or change his mind about the calling of the saints and the giving of these precious gifts!  See Rom. 11:29.

Romans 11:29 For the gifts and calling of God [are] without repentance. (KJV)

It is not a question of these gifts being made available to the saints.  It is however a question of whether the saints have the maturity, the understanding, and faith to use these gifts!  Christ would love to use all the gifts to increase the Church, and to strengthen the faith of the saints.  I believe the time will come when these gifts will be much needed to sustain the Church.  These gifts are mentioned many times in the New Testament, and they are designed as helps and governments to increase and strengthen the body of Christ.  These are the same gifts that the early saints in the book of Acts used repeatedly for healings and miracles.  I personally want to live to see and witness these gifts activated and being used by God fearing saints that are in the process of joining as one flesh with their future husband Jesus Christ.
    
It is important to understand that we are not yet the bride and wife of Jesus Christ.  In a very real sense we are being "courted" and nourished by bits and pieces of spiritual food by our future husband in an "engagement relationship".  This divine "courtship" and love affair has to be mutual, and the believing overcoming saints must respond and return this love as an engaged woman about to be married.  The Christian walk is nothing more than a spiritual struggle to obtain the purpose for our physical existence.  This purpose is to become the wife of Jesus Christ!  There is so much more that could be written about this very important subject of the Church, and this is a very deep and thought provoking study.  Hopefully enough has been presented in this booklet to be a blessing and will be helpful in your own studies.  May our decisions and prayers be as one mind and one body in bringing forth fruit unto God to increase the Church of the living Jesus Christ!

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