The Edifier
West Allen Church of Christ
The Church: Accident or Purposed ofGod?
The church of the Lord Jesus Christ is no accident, neither was it an after-thought of Almighty God, as many contend; but the church is the fulfillment of God's eternal purpose. The apostle Paul says, "to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places, according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord" Eph 3:10-11.
The Lord's church is to reflect the multifaceted wisdom of God, i.e., to unite His people, in all nations, into one unified body (Eph 2:16; 3:6). Men and women greatly hinder this divine plan when they tamper with God’s design of the church, by altering its work, worship or organization in some way that varies with the New Testament pattern.
The prophets of the Old Testament foretold the future existence of the church. Follow the reasoning: Isaiah said, "now it shall come to pass in the latter days that the mountain of the Lord's house shall be established on the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow to it" (Isa 2:2). Both the apostle Peter and the writer of Hebrews tell us we are now living in "the latter days" (Acts 2:17; Heb 1:2). The "mountain of the Lord's house" symbolizes the authority God has given His Son Jesus. The "Lord's house" is the "church of the living God" (1 Tim 3:15). The "mountain of the Lord’s house" was "established on the top of the mountains". In summary, Jesus Christ is the sole figure of authority in Heaven and on earth, and the church constitutes all those who recognize and submit to His sovereign will (cf. Matt 28:18; Matt 16:16-18).
Isaiah’s message sounds very much like a prophecy about the kingdom. What about the kingdom of God and His Son; is it yet to be established or is Jesus now reigning in His kingdom?
Our intent has been to show that to be a citizen in the kingdom of God is to be a member of the church or body of Christ. Jesus is both the King of the Kingdom and the Head of His body the church (John 18:36-37; Col 1:18). God the Father has given Him exclusive authority.
As the King He commanded His apostles to "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved but he who does not believe will be condemned" (Mark 16:15-16). He also instructed them to preach "repentance and remission of sins" (Luke 24:47).
- Faith in Christ, repentance of sins and immersion in water are the Lord’s terms of pardon or forgiveness.
When one obeys the commands of the King, God translates that one into the kingdom (Col 1:13). At that same time, one is added to the church belonging to Christ (Acts 2:38,47). Why is that so important? Paul said it, "He is the Savior of the body the church" (Eph 5:23). Did you know of the existence of an Almighty King? Do you know of your soul's need for a Savior? Will you not, then, obey Jesus Christ today? -