“The Church” and churches

[Nehemiah6]

There is a difference between “the Church” and “churches”. There are some who believe that their particular church is “the Church”. On one hand we have the Roman Catholic Church claiming that it is the one true Church, and on the other hand we have the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints (the Mormon Church) claiming it is the one true Church. So which is the one true Church, and are all members of all Christian churches within that one true Church?

The apostle Paul reveals to us the meaning of the one true Church in Ephesians 3:1-11:

PAUL IS THE APOSTLE TO THE GENTILES
1 For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles,

THE CHURCH IS WITHIN THE DISPENSATION OF THE GRACE OF GOD
2 If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward:

THE TRUTH OF THE CHURCH HAS BEEN GIVEN BY REVELATION
3 How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words,

THE CHURCH IS A PART OF THE MYSTERY OF CHRIST
4 Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)

THE CHURCH WAS A MYSTERY HIDDEN FROM THE FORMER PROPHETS
5 Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;

THE CHURCH CONSISTS OF ALL REDEEMED JEWS AND GENTILES IN ONE BODY
6 That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:

PAUL IS A MINISTER OF THE CHURCH
7 Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power.

THE CHURCH IS ONE OF THE UNSEARCHABLE RICHES OF CHRIST
8 Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;

THE CHURCH IS FOR FELLOWSHIP WITH CHRIST
9 And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:

THE CHURCH PRESENTS THE MANIFOLD WISDOM OF GOD
10 To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the Church the manifold wisdom of God,

THE CHURCH PRESENTS GOD’S ETERNAL PURPOSE IN CHRIST
11 According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:

God has an eternal purpose for the Church, and that is that He will be glorified in and through the Church (Eph 3:21) and all the holy angels (“the principalities and powers in heavenly places”) will see the manifold wisdom of God: Unto him be glory in the Church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen. [Church capitalized for a reason]

Only those who have been regenerated (born again) are within the Church, since only they are the children of God (John 1:12,13) and have received the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:28). It is by the power of the Holy Spirit that sinners are regenerated and made saints (Titus 3:4-7), and then “baptized into” the Body of Christ by the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:12,13).

While there are many churches and denominations in the world, not all who are members are necessarily children of God. Only those who have obeyed the Gospel and been born again are in the Kingdom of God (John 3:3-8). They are trusting entirely in the merits of the Savior and His finished work of redemption, not on any sacraments or good works for entry into the Kingdom of God.

And there will always be tares among the wheat. So neither the RCC, nor the LDS, nor any other denomination is “the Church”, but within all denominations there will be those who have repented and believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, and are saved by grace through faith. And those are the ones who are members of the Church – the living Body of Christ.

 

[nddreamer]

"Luke 17:20-21---The kingdom of God cometh not with observation. Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, Lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you." I agree with you. The true Church is within.

 

[celib]

There is a difference between “the Church” and “churches”. There are some who believe that their particular church is “the Church”. On one hand we have the Roman Catholic Church claiming that it is the one true Church, and on the other hand we have the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints (the Mormon Church) claiming it is the one true Church. So which is the one true Church, and are all members of all Christian churches within that one true Church?

The apostle Paul reveals to us the meaning of the one true Church in Ephesians 3:1-11:

PAUL IS THE APOSTLE TO THE GENTILES
1 For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles,

THE CHURCH IS WITHIN THE DISPENSATION OF THE GRACE OF GOD
2 If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward:

THE TRUTH OF THE CHURCH HAS BEEN GIVEN BY REVELATION
3 How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words,

THE CHURCH IS A PART OF THE MYSTERY OF CHRIST
4 Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)

THE CHURCH WAS A MYSTERY HIDDEN FROM THE FORMER PROPHETS
5 Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;

THE CHURCH CONSISTS OF ALL REDEEMED JEWS AND GENTILES IN ONE BODY
6 That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:

PAUL IS A MINISTER OF THE CHURCH
7 Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power.

THE CHURCH IS ONE OF THE UNSEARCHABLE RICHES OF CHRIST
8 Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;

THE CHURCH IS FOR FELLOWSHIP WITH CHRIST
9 And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:

THE CHURCH PRESENTS THE MANIFOLD WISDOM OF GOD
10 To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the Church the manifold wisdom of God,

THE CHURCH PRESENTS GOD’S ETERNAL PURPOSE IN CHRIST
11 According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:

God has an eternal purpose for the Church, and that is that He will be glorified in and through the Church (Eph 3:21) and all the holy angels (“the principalities and powers in heavenly places”) will see the manifold wisdom of God: Unto him be glory in the Church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen. [Church capitalized for a reason]

Only those who have been regenerated (born again) are within the Church, since only they are the children of God (John 1:12,13) and have received the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:28). It is by the power of the Holy Spirit that sinners are regenerated and made saints (Titus 3:4-7), and then “baptized into” the Body of Christ by the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:12,13).

While there are many churches and denominations in the world, not all who are members are necessarily children of God. Only those who have obeyed the Gospel and been born again are in the Kingdom of God (John 3:3-8). They are trusting entirely in the merits of the Savior and His finished work of redemption, not on any sacraments or good works for entry into the Kingdom of God.

And there will always be tares among the wheat. So neither the RCC, nor the LDS, nor any other denomination is “the Church”, but within all denominations there will be those who have repented and believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, and are saved by grace through faith. And those are the ones who are members of the Church – the living Body of Christ.

When John was taken in spirit to the Lords day, thats the end of this world age Christ told him about the seven main Christian churches, there was only two that Christ found no fault with, Rev.2:10 and Rev.3:10, they both teach about those that call themselves Jews but are of the synagog of satan, so if your church does not teach that then your in the wrong church, its that simple, or at least learn about it. God bless

 

[OneFaith]

The church is the body of Christ, and churches are the congregations of that church in certain areas. There are not many faiths- there is one Lord, one faith, one baptism. Those who left “The Faith” to follow deceiving spirits (false churches/false gospels) did not leave faith in God, they left “The Faith” (the true doctrine of Christ) to follow man-made doctrines- such as the Catholic Church- which goes against scripture and adds to scripture.

“They worship Me in vain (not resulting in salvation) for their doctrines and merely human rules.”

 

[mailmandan]

The Church is the body of Christ (Colossians 1:18,24) which is made up of all genuine born again Christians/Believers and is not simply a church building with a name stamped on it.

 

[OneFaith]

The Church is the body of Christ (Colossians 1:18,24) which is made up of all genuine born again Christians/Believers and is not simply a church building with a name stamped on it.

Agreed- the church is the people, not the building. But the church of Christ is not false doctrines either.

 

[mailmandan]

Agreed- the church is the people, not the building.

Amen!

But the church of Christ is not false doctrines either.

The churches of Christ (Romans 16:16), also referred to in Scripture as the church of God (Acts 20:28; 1 Corinthians 1:2; Galatians 1:13) is not made up of false doctrines, yet just because a church building has the name "church of Christ" or "church of God" stamped on it does not necessarily mean that it is exempt from false doctrines.

 

[Studyman]

There is a difference between “the Church” and “churches”. There are some who believe that their particular church is “the Church”. On one hand we have the Roman Catholic Church claiming that it is the one true Church, and on the other hand we have the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints (the Mormon Church) claiming it is the one true Church. So which is the one true Church, and are all members of all Christian churches within that one true Church?

The apostle Paul reveals to us the meaning of the one true Church in Ephesians 3:1-11:

PAUL IS THE APOSTLE TO THE GENTILES
1 For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles,

THE CHURCH IS WITHIN THE DISPENSATION OF THE GRACE OF GOD
2 If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward:

THE TRUTH OF THE CHURCH HAS BEEN GIVEN BY REVELATION
3 How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words,

THE CHURCH IS A PART OF THE MYSTERY OF CHRIST
4 Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)

THE CHURCH WAS A MYSTERY HIDDEN FROM THE FORMER PROPHETS
5 Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;

THE CHURCH CONSISTS OF ALL REDEEMED JEWS AND GENTILES IN ONE BODY
6 That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:

PAUL IS A MINISTER OF THE CHURCH
7 Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power.

THE CHURCH IS ONE OF THE UNSEARCHABLE RICHES OF CHRIST
8 Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;

THE CHURCH IS FOR FELLOWSHIP WITH CHRIST
9 And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:

THE CHURCH PRESENTS THE MANIFOLD WISDOM OF GOD
10 To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the Church the manifold wisdom of God,

THE CHURCH PRESENTS GOD’S ETERNAL PURPOSE IN CHRIST
11 According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:

God has an eternal purpose for the Church, and that is that He will be glorified in and through the Church (Eph 3:21) and all the holy angels (“the principalities and powers in heavenly places”) will see the manifold wisdom of God: Unto him be glory in the Church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen. [Church capitalized for a reason]

Only those who have been regenerated (born again) are within the Church, since only they are the children of God (John 1:12,13) and have received the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:28). It is by the power of the Holy Spirit that sinners are regenerated and made saints (Titus 3:4-7), and then “baptized into” the Body of Christ by the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:12,13).

While there are many churches and denominations in the world, not all who are members are necessarily children of God. Only those who have obeyed the Gospel and been born again are in the Kingdom of God (John 3:3-8). They are trusting entirely in the merits of the Savior and His finished work of redemption, not on any sacraments or good works for entry into the Kingdom of God.

And there will always be tares among the wheat. So neither the RCC, nor the LDS, nor any other denomination is “the Church”, but within all denominations there will be those who have repented and believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, and are saved by grace through faith. And those are the ones who are members of the Church – the living Body of Christ.

Matt. 24:4 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.
5 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.

There is only one group of people on the planet that fit's this definition. There are only one group of people who come in Christ's name, and preach He is truly the Son of God, the Messiah, and that is Mainstream Christianity.

This religion is made up of hundreds of differing sects and denominations, but they all have ONE thing in common.

The all transgress the Commandments of God by their own man made traditions and man made doctrines. This is why Jesus inspired it to be written:

Rev. 18:4 And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.
5 For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities.

 

[OneFaith]

Amen!

The churches of Christ (Romans 16:16), also referred to in Scripture as the church of God (Acts 20:28; 1 Corinthians 1:2; Galatians 1:13) is not made up of false doctrines, yet just because a church building has the name "church of Christ" or "church of God" stamped on it does not necessarily mean that it is exempt from false doctrines.

Agreed. I have been to some that said ‘church of Christ’ on the sign, but His doctrine was not upheld inside, and I left those congregations. I know you think all Church’s of Christ are false, and we differ in that opinion. I also agree that Christ’s Church can be called a different name- such as the church of God, or the Way, but that it must be Christ’s doctrine and Christ’s name. Jesus is God, Jesus is the Way, it’s Jesus’ Church. But it is not Luther’s Church, or the church of Saint Whoever- it is Christ’s Church, or it is not His kingdom.

 

[beta]

I would go as far as to say that NOT ONE of the human organizations is the REAL church ! ALL are 'contaminated with human ideas and opinions !
However...they can serve as a Beginning for those who seek God...but we should NOT get hung up ON ANY of them and keep moving on and upward...go the extra mile to find the TRUE Church !!!