by Timothy W. Burnett
As used in the scriptures, the word �church,� or ekklesia in early Greek, simply meant an assembly of people. The true church of God is an assembly of God�s people.
Based on msnbc.com�s headline, Pope Benedict gave a true statement by saying that Jesus established only one church. What is at issue is whether the Roman Catholic Church was and still is the �true church� that is built upon the rock of our Lord Jesus Christ. We have God�s word to teach us about the true church of God. There is not enough space for this column to exhaustively cover this subject, but we can look at the basics of the true church of God.
Who makes up the church of God? Go to some of the Epistle salutations. ��to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus� (Ephesians 1:1). �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 the Lord� (1Corinthians 1:2). The church is basically made up of those who are counted as saints, along with the saints who call upon the name of the Lord. In essence, these are they who are filled with holy spirit, along with they who have started speaking in tongues (see Acts 2:4).
The church is founded upon the rock of our Lord Jesus Christ. �Built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone� (Ephesians 2:20). Jesus Christ is the rock upon which the church is founded. Contrary to popular belief, the true church of God was not founded upon Peter.
In the name of Jesus Christ, the true church of God is free to pray directly to God in heaven. �Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace� (Hebrews 4:16). Again it�s written, �And this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we request any thing according to His will, He hears us. And if we know He hears us whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we desired of Him� (1John 5:14). The church�s authority to do this is in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
The true church of God is not under religious laws and codes. ��for you are not under law, but under grace� (Romans 6:14). �There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus� (Romans 8:1). �Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross.� If the church is freed from the Old Testament Laws from God, then it is surely not bound to man-made religious laws and codes found in many established churches.
�There is one body [of Christ], and one spirit [from God], even as you are called in one hope of your calling. One Lord [Jesus Christ], one faith [that God raised Jesus from the dead], one baptism [of holy spirit], one God and Father of us all [also the Father of Jesus Christ]� (Ephesians 4:4-6).
Home