WhatDidJesusBuild

2Cor 11:3 “But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from ‘The Simplicity That Is in Christ’”

Mat 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.

Ephesians 5:25-29 NKJV

25 . . . just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, 26 that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, 27 that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. . . . 29 For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church.30 For we are members of His body, of His flesh and of His bones.

“And all that believed were together, . . . And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, Praising God, and having favour with all the people” (Act 2:43-47).

Let’s go back about 1974 years (approximately) to the day that Jesus said "I will build my church." Some time later he gave a command to his apostles to "go into all the world and preach the gospel.” The result of this preaching? “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved" (Mar 16:16).

Ten days after this at Pentecost, Peter, guided into all truth by the Holy Spirit according to promise, did indeed preach to a large assembly gathered in Jerusalem the evidences that proved that Jesus was both “Lord and Christ.” The Scriptures tell us that "they that gladly received his word were baptized, and the same day there was added unto them about three thousand souls" (2:41).

As the days passed we learn that the Lord added to this number "such as should be saved" (v.47). As we continue reading from Luke's history in the Book of Acts,

In Acts 4:4 "Many of them which heard the word believed: and the number of the men was about five thousand." If the number of the men" was about five thousand, how many were there including women? No one knows for sure. Ten thousand? Fifteen thousand?

In Acts 5:14 "And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women."

In Acts 6:7 "And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith."

These statements indicate that many -- perhaps as many as fifty thousand souls -- came to know Christ and were added to all the rest who had been saved.

It would be interesting to know how many people were alive on earth at that time? No one could know for sure, but my guess would be somewhere between 10 and 50 million. So we have the possibility (my estimate) of 50,000 out of 50,000,000, or one of every 1,000 persons on earth. It would be interesting to know what the percentage would be today.

Who were these people religiously speaking? All these souls constituted "the church" -- the church that Jesus said He was going to build, and, were at this time all of the church, the whole church. And, naturally, it was designated "the church which was at Jerusalem" (8:1).

Earlier, in Acts 2:44 it is said, "all that believed were together, and had all things common." They were "together." While it is difficult to imagine that the entire number continued indefinitely to come together in one place for "doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers," at this much later date (Acts 8:1) it is still said that they were "the church which was at Jerusalem." Think about this please! -- just "the" church which was at Jerusalem," consisting of the souls that had been saved, forgiven of their sins. (And it is certain that there was no “Victory Memorial,” or “Heavenly Glories,” or “Holy Advent” Churches, or any other of the 63,000 religious groups that are known today. No sects or sections, no divisions or denominations, just “the” church at (or in) Jerusalem.)

Luke records in Acts 8:1, “ . . . And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they (notice they, the disciples) were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.” Philip "went down to Samaria and preached Christ unto them" (8:5). "The people with one accord gave heed unto those things that Philip spake" (v.6), and "they were baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus" (v.16). In addition to the church "which was at Jerusalem," and those saints who had been "scattered abroad" because of the persecution, here was now the church at or in Samaria.

In Chapter 8, verse 25, we read: "And they (I assume Peter and John, who had gone down to Samaria) returned to Jerusalem, and preached the gospel in many villages of the Samaritans." After the conversion of the eunuch somewhere between Jerusalem and Gaza, "Philip was found at Azotus: and passing through he preached in all the cities, till he came to Caesarea" (v.40).

Where was the church at this particular time? Some of the church was at Jerusalem, some of the church was scattered abroad throughout the area because of the persecution, and some of the church was in the various cities and villages of Samaria. No longer was the church, all of the saved ones, to be limited to a collection of the saints in one place, but a collection of the saved in many places.

1. When the 3000 were baptized for the remission of their sins, what else was required of them to "be" the church of the Lord? (See Srygley article below)

3. Although “the church” could not now, or ever again, be “together” in physical location, were they still challenged to be “of one accord” in the “apostles doctrine and fellowship, in breaking of bread and in prayers?” Were they “together” in their recognition of the “One God” their common Heavenly Father, and the “One Lord,” their common Savior, Jesus the Son of God? What about brotherhood?

4. Important question? Will there be one single soul enter Eternal Life that does not love God with all heart, soul, mind and strength? That does not honor the Lord Jesus? That does not love his brothers and sisters in Christ? If so, how did he get there?

There are several metaphors (i.e. a thing symbolic of something else) that illustrate God’s people in New Covenant Scriptures. Paul’s favorite is obviously the church as a “Body.”

Every soul -- every single person -- that had heard the truth and obeyed its demands, was added by the Lord "to them," to the other called-out ones, the church that Jesus said he was going to build. These souls are also referred to as the "body" of Christ. Writing to the Ephesian Christians, Paul says:

"God . . . gave him (Christ) to be head over all things to the church, which is his body" (1:22,23).

He uses a metaphor here, the human body to illustrate the truth concerning the relationship of these saved ones to Christ as head, and secondly, the relationship that they had to one another as fellow members. Let us consider several aspects of this truth concerning the body.

1. There is ONE body. Paul writes to the Ephesians and says: "There is one body, and one spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all" (Eph. 4:4-6).

Paul had never been to Rome when he wrote his letter to the "saints" there (1:7). He says so in Chapter 1, verses 10-13. He wanted to go (1:9-13), but had never had the opportunity. In Chapter 12, verse 4, he says:

"For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same function: so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another."

Now note! Paul had never been to Rome, had never even met but a very few of the saints there, yet he says that he is a member of the same body that they were members of. "One body, yet many members."

Paul had been to Corinth, of course. He says to the church there -- the saved ones in Corinth –

"For as the body is one and has many members and all the members of that one body; being many, are one body: so also is Christ. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free: and have been all made to drink into one Spirit" (1 Cor. 12:12,13).

How many Lords? One! How many Holy Spirits? One! How many bodies? One! How many members of that one body? Many! All "the faithful in Christ Jesus," every soul who had accepted Jesus as Lord was in that one body.

2. The word "body" in the New Testament is NEVER used to refer to a local organized group, a "congregation" as we say. It is never used to describe in any instance a local group, or a part of the total church.

Read carefully the beautiful illustration of the body used by Paul in First Corinthians 12 that shows us how we relate to Christ and to one another. But one correction, please! In verse 27 omit the article "the," or “a,” which is unjustified.

It is not in the original. Paul is really saying: "Ye are body." In other words, all of you together are body parts, and, you are all members in particular, or individually. In no instance in the New Covenant Scriptures is the word "body" used, and limited to, a local group of saints, call it congregation, church, community, or whatever. It is never used to refer to only a part of the total church.

This would be considered as “straining at a nat” if it were not for the fact that so many brethren are loyal to their congregation’s family, but feel no obligation to needy brethren who are not of their congregation. One of the most discouraging aspects of this trying-to-be-Christlike is to experience this isolated exclusivism on the part of some brethren, and often listen to the justifying rationalizations. But, will not those who share the same Holy Spirit find a way to help others when the need arises, and the opportunity and ability presents itself? Is not the case of the “good Samaritan” an appropriate example. (Luk 10:30-38; study Gal 6:10).

We read of the early disciples, “Praising God, and having favour with all the people . . .” (2:47). Was this kindness “with all the people” one of the factors that caused the disciples to grow and multiply? Probably it was.

3. It is the "body" of Christ, the church, that is the masterpiece of the magnificent work of God in redeeming mankind. To the Ephesians Paul writes “To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold (innumerable aspects; wide-shining; much-variegated. “It means the greatly-diversified wisdom” [Barnes]) wisdom of God” (2:10). . . . Christ

"Having abolished in his flesh the enmity (that is, between Jew and Gentile), even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man (note this beautiful term, ht) , so making peace; And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby" (Eph. 2:15,16).

It “boggles my mind” to think what the world would be like today if the church of our Lord (all of “us”) was everything that it was intended to be! What would our great nation be? Our government, schools, homes, etc., etc.? Sadly, this is apparently not to be in our lifetime. Can we ask why?

Paul says that he was made a minister to preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, 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. What was this mystery not revealed until now? The mystery that was to be known by the church? Here it is:

"That the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his (that is, God's) promise in Christ by the Gospel" (3:6).

Much of the New Testament consists of instructions to the saints -- all saints -- as to how they must treat all other saints as fellow members of the body of Christ. One of the most important is in 1 Cor. 12:12-27. Note whom Paul was writing to in this Letter.

1CO 1:1 Paul called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother, 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:

Over nineteen hundred years have come and gone. Has there been any further revelation that would change matters as far as who we are, who our Lord is, and how we relate to all others as members of the one body? Not so! These things are just as binding upon saints today as they were then.

A great deal of the evil in the religious world has come from exalting our own party (a "part" of the body) or group (“local church,” congregation; etc.) over the common body of Christ. This is the basis of division, sectarianism, and yes, denominationalism. A preacher asked his audience, “Do you love the church?” Everyone indicated that they did. “Do you love the whole church? Fewer raised their hands. “Do you love the brotherhood?” Many hands were raised. “The whole brotherhood” he asked?(see 1Pe 2:17) Fewer still raised their hands. Did Christ love the whole church? Or just those of his race? Let it be clearly understood that this writer has tried – to the best of his ability – to love the brotherhood, the whole church?

The inspired apostle Paul stated it and those who believe the Scriptures must accept it. “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit” (Rom 8:1).

The Scriptures clearly teach that: (1) There must exist a union, connection, association, relationship between every saved person and the Lord Jesus Christ, and, (2) This relationship must transcend in importance all other unions, connections, or associations that man is capable of enjoying, both physical or spiritual, and, furthermore, (3) There is no exception to this truth.

This relationship between the Saviour and a saved individual is represented in many Scriptural references by the phrase "in Christ," or, "in the Lord." Now what does this phrase "in Christ" mean? What does "in the Lord" mean?

"Of a person to whom another is wholly joined and to whose power and influence he is subject, so that the former may be likened to the place in which the latter lives and moves. So used in the writings of Paul and of John particularly of intimate relationship with God or with Christ, and for the most part involving contextually the idea of power and blessing resulting from that union; . . . since such union with Christ is the basis on which actions and virtues rest, the expression is equivalent in meaning to by virtue of spiritual fellowship or union with Christ" (Greek-English Lexicon, p. 211).

The letter to the Ephesians has been called by some Paul’s masterpiece. Whether a masterpiece or not, it is a book that deserves a great deal of study for our times and interest. It abounds in passages that stress this union with Christ. In the very first chapter we note:

The letter is written to saints, the separated and called out ones of God, to the "faithful in Christ Jesus" (v.1). Perhaps in this very first verse we have the key to our subject. These were "saints" but they were also the "faithful in Christ Jesus." One comes to God only through Christ, and one remains faithful to God by being faithful in Christ Jesus. Surely Jesus would never have said, "I am the way, the truth and the life: no one comes to the Father but by Me," if it were not true! (John 14:6).

Next, Paul prays for grace and peace to be given these from God the Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ. True grace and peace can only come from God, and only through Christ.

Then, thanks are given to God, the Father of the Lord for spiritual blessings in heavenly places. Where are these spiritual blessings in heavenly places? "In Christ," Paul says in verse 3. What are these blessings? First, that He, that is, God, has chosen us to be redeemed, brought back to His side as He had intended mankind to be from the beginning. He predetermined, Paul says, that we should be adopted as children, and that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love. How was this adoption and this holiness possible? "By Jesus Christ," Paul says. And "it was according to the good pleasure of His will," Paul says. I get the impression that Paul is saying," Because he wanted to do it, He did it!"

Next, Paul says what perhaps is the theme for the whole letter. "Praise his glorious grace!" Because of this grace He has made us "accepted." And, of course, it is "in the beloved," which, of course, is Christ. This acceptance requires our forgiveness and this He has provided. In Christ, Paul says, we have redemption and forgiveness of sins.

Furthermore, God will gather together all His children, of all time, from all places, of all races, in "one." This is, of course, "in Christ" (v. 10).

It is our firm conviction that, religiously speaking, the Scriptures teach that to be "in Christ" is everything. It is no exaggeration to say that if a person is "in Christ," nothing else in this world really matters. And to the contrary, if a man is not in Christ, all the world given as a gift will not make up what he has lost. What indeed can a man give in exchange for his soul?

Brethren, are you aware of the multiplied blessings that the Holy Spirit tells us are given us in Christ? Let us consider a few of these:

We are all justified in the "name of the Lord" (1 Cor. 6:11); our labor is not in vain "in the Lord" (1 Cor. 15:58); saints grow into a holy temple "in the Lord" (Eph. 2:21); saints are now light "in the Lord" (5:8); the promise of life is "in Christ Jesus" (2 Tim. 1:2); grace is "in Christ Jesus" (2 Tim. 2:1); wisdom unto salvation through faith is "in Christ Jesus" (3:15); redemption is "in Christ Jesus" (Rom. 3:24); there is no condemnation to those "in Christ Jesus" (8:1); the law of the Spirit of life is "in Christ Jesus" (v. 2); neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is "in Christ Jesus our Lord" (8:38,39); we are sanctified "in Christ Jesus" (1 Cor. 1:2); we have liberty "in Christ Jesus" (Gal. 2:4); we are children of God by faith "in Christ Jesus" (3:26); we Gentiles who were far off are made nigh "in Christ Jesus" (2:13).

The eternal purpose of God for us was "in Christ Jesus our Lord" (3:11); the prize of the high calling of God is "in Christ Jesus" (Phil. 3:14); every man is presented perfect "in Christ Jesus" (Col. 1:28); we live, if we stand fast "in the Lord" (1 Thess. 3:8); servants become brethren beloved "in the Lord" )Phile. 6); the dead that die "in the Lord" are blessed (Rev. 14:13); it was predetermined that we be adopted as children of God "by Chris Jesus" (Eph. 1:10); the saved of every nation are gathered together in one "in Christ" (Eph. 1:10); we (Gentiles) are fellow heirs and partakers of the same promises as given to Jews, "in Christ" (3:6); our hope of glory is "Christ in us" (Col. 1:27); those who sleep "in Jesus" God will bring with him "(1 Thess. 4:3); "in Christ" all shall be made alive, or raised from the dead (1 Cor. 15:22); we triumph "in Christ" (2 Cor. 2:14); the veil that separates man from God is done away with "in Christ" (2 Cor. 3:14); where the "Spirit of the Lord" is, there is liberty (2 Cor. 3:7); if any man be "in Christ" he is created again, or given new life (2 Cor. 5:17); God is "in Christ," reconciling man to Himself (5:9); etc.

No doubt there are other blessings stated to be reserved for those in the Lord," or "in Christ," but these are obvious, in addition to those stated in our text.

It is interesting, in view of these and similar statements, that more preaching of this union with Christ is not done. To the contrary, it is interesting, and distressing that so much preaching about the merits of the “church,” as a corporate body is done. It is my believe that if as much attention had been given to emphasize Christ (as the New Testament surely does) as has been given to emphasize the corporate concept of the church, we would have far more spiritually minded saints and much more unity among believers. "Church" preaching often tends to divide; "Christ" preaching tends to unite.

There is always some ardent soul, well-meaning we do not doubt, who is offended when anything is said that might reflect unfavorably upon the institutional concept of the church. One such writer, an official of a Christian college, and front page writer for the brotherhood's largest paper (at that time), some years ago wrote the following. We offer it as but an example of how the emphasis can be given to the church. Perhaps he is saying the same thing we are now stressing, but the emphasis seems to be different.

"People all over the country are trying to make men and women believe that the church does not amount to anything and that it does not save anybody." (As he attempts to prove the opposite is true he states:)

1. "It is a reflection upon Christ when we say that His church is not worth anything."

2. "You get what you pay for. When we give a sum of money for something we expect to get value received. Christ gave himself for it, the church. If the church is worth nothing then Jesus gave Himself for nothing. Whatever His church is worth, he is worth. He gave his life for the church so whatever His life is worth the church is worth. He purchased the church with his own blood (Acts 20:28), so whatever His blood is worth the church is worth.

3. "Don't let a man keep you from obeying the gospel and out of the church of the living God. Anything else you can do never will save your soul. Pay no mind to anything else man tells you to do. Get in the church of the Lord Jesus Christ, for which he gave Himself and every drop of blood in His body, and begin to work there, and beware of the philosophy and traditions of men. Don't let anything beguile you from it."

Many will probably applaud this statement, giving only superficial thought to it. But if you are truly sincere, and love the truth, you will reject it because it does not speak the truth. Stop for a moment and think. Let's examine what is being said.

First, I know of no one who is saying that "the church is not worth anything." The saints, the saved, the children of God are worth everything to God. "God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son." Apparently the church, His children, amounts to a lot. Our brother is confused about the difference between the institutional Church and the saved children of God, which are essentially, totally, and completely one and the same. The saints are not "in the church"; the saints are the church.

Furthermore, it is Christ who saves, not the church. The church is the saved. There is a difference between the Saviour, Christ, and the saved ones, the church. Christ saves, not the church.

Next, our brother resorts to an emotional appeal and exaggerates somewhat about the blood of Christ. It is true that Jesus shed His blood, which figuratively means that He died for our sins on the cross. He did not shed every drop of blood in His body," or at least there is no evidence that He did. He did not have to, in order to die. This language is an apparent attempt to win support through emotion rather than through reason.

Our brother refers to the "philosophy and traditions of men," and letting someone "beguile you," which is rather obviously a reference to Paul's letter to the Colossian saints. He suggests that one is being beguiled if they do not accept his premise. Let us study these references together.

In these passages from Colossians 2, Paul speaks of Christ "in whom" he says, "are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words" (2:3,4). Apparently there were those who were beguiling the Colossians with enticing words.

What were these things, about which the saints in Colosse were being beguiled? We can not be certain, but Paul warns: "Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ" (v. 8). They were being beguiled by certain philosophies of men, made to appear as logical, reasonable, and good, but were not according "to Christ."

How could they resist these appeals? Listen to Paul: "As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him (note -- in Him): rooted and built up in him (note -- in Him), and established in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving . . . for in Him (note -- in Him) dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in him (note -- in Him)" (vs. 6-10).

We notice that it is "Christ that is emphasized in all these passages. And yet our brother is urging, in order to not be beguiled, and carried off by the "philosophy and traditions of men," to "get in the church of the Lord Jesus Christ." "Anything else you can do," he says, "never will save your soul. Pay no mind to anything else man tells you to do."

We leave it to intelligent and sincere readers as to who is beguiling. Our brother would do well to say that they ought to beware the philosophy and traditions of men that do not exalt, honor, emphasize, include, and teach acceptance of Christ. The New Testament obviously does! Paul obviously does! His letter to the Colossians obviously does! Study it and see for yourself.

It seems that just about every decade the argument about “Christ Yes, The Church No” crops up. To this writer this is just silliness. There would be no church – no saved souls – if there was no Christ the Savior. There would be no Christ if God had not loved the world enough to send a Savior. It seems to me that our human nature craves for something material, that we can see, and join, and participate in. And so some have given an inordinate attention to the physical organization, the church. Others, being more spiritualistic in nature, can identify with the God of Heaven whom they cannot see, but can realize in their lives through study of His word and prayer. This is not an “either or” matter. The saved souls live in Christ, and Christ lives in his church, the souls he has saved.