“I Will Build My Church.” Jesus
CHRIST is the HEAD of his church, and he said, I WILL BUILD MY CHURCH, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it (Matthew 16:18). The church he is building is not buildings, denominations, or ministries of men; his church is the body of true believers who are born again and are Christ-like—his true disciples.
“I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” Matthew 16:18
Living Stones
The body of Christ comprises his disciples, his elect, his saints, and his bride; it is those who obey him and do his will. It is the living stones that have been hewn out of him, the true living and chief cornerstone. These are being built up into a spiritual house, which is the true temple/church of Christ
The living stones he is building up are people, not buildings (1 Peter 2:5). If you are his disciple, the church he is building up is YOU. “God does not dwell in temples made with hands” (Acts 7:48).
“Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious, you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. Therefore, it is also contained in the Scripture, “Behold, I lay in Zion a chief cornerstone, elect, precious, and he who believes on Him will by no means be put to shame.” 1 Peter 2:4-6
A Royal Priesthood
The church of Christ is not the multitudes who attend buildings on Sunday. Many in these multitudes are not disciples of Jesus and do not know him, nor are they known by him. His church is the body of individual believers, known to him, who are truly his disciples; his priesthood.
The members of Christ’s body are scattered all over; they may be found in different denominations, church systems, and outside church systems. In some congregations there will be no member of his true church, in some there will be one member of his body, and in others many. But he knows his own, and he will gather them from every tribe and tongue and religious system. He knows them.
“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, to proclaim the virtues of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.” 1 Peter 2:9
“and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To Him who loves us and has released us from our sins by His blood, who has made us to be a kingdom, priests to His God and Father—to Him be the glory and power forever and ever! Amen.” Revelation 1:5-6
The Elect; A remnant
When Jesus gave his messages to the 7 churches in the book of Revelation, he made it clear that not all members of physical churches are members of his true church.
In the Laodicean church (Revelation 3:14-22), there were no members of his body; Jesus was outside that church knocking; they did not yet belong to him, but he was inviting them to join his true church.
“Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.” Revelation 3:20
In the church of Sadis (Revelation 4), he had a FEW members of his true church.
“Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy.” Revelation 3:4
The church of Philadelphia pleased him and had members of his true church (Revelation 3:7-13).
“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. Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.” Revelation 3:10-11
Never console yourself only in being a member of physical churches because that is not a guarantee of being a member of Christ’s true church, which is spiritual. It is people who he is building into his true church, and he says the gates of hell shall not prevail against his true church/body (his elect). Allow Christ to build you into a member of his TRUE church.
“I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” Matthew 16:18
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Have you given your life to Jesus Christ to be your Lord and Savior? He loves us so much that he, our creator, left heaven and came to earth, died for us on the cross taking our sins upon him so that we may be forgiven and receive his righteousness. He conquered death by rising from the dead and made a way for us who were dead in sin to be reconciled back to the Father (God). What’s more, he has prepared a wonderful home for us in Heaven, where those who love him and obey him will spend eternity with him. Learn more here about how to be born again and have eternal life after this brief life on earth.
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