The
By
Shelby
G. Floyd
Jesus Promised to
Contrary to the popular notion that one may join the church of his choice, the Bible teaches that there is just one church. In fact, Jesus Christ never promised to build but one church. In the area of Caesarea Philippi, Jesus said, “Thou art Peter, and upon this rook I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” (Matt. 16:18.) Jesus did not say, “I will build my churches,” but he said, “I will build my church,” singular. Jesus built but one church, and he called it “my church.”
The
In the book of Ephesians, the one church which Jesus promised to build is mentioned several times as an established reality. In the first chapter, Paul affirmed the supreme authority of Christ as the head of the church, “And hath put all things under his feet, and. gave him to be the head over all things, to the church, Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.” (Eph. 1:22-23.) This one church is spoken of as the body of Christ. The word “body” is in the singular.
Christ is the one head, and the church is his one body which together forms a unit. This is a figurative reference to the human organism which has one head and one body. The idea of modern denominationalism is foreign to the teaching of the New Testament. In New Testament times there were many congregations, but they all formed one body or one church.
Ephesians Two
In chapter two, Paul speaks of the alienation of the Jew and the Gentile being reconciled together in one body by the cross of Jesus Christ. (Ephesians 2:16.) The gospel is a gospel of peace to both the Jew and the Gentile, for it is through Christ that both have access unto the Father by the one Spirit into the one body.
Ephesians Three
In chapter three, Paul speaks of the
reconciliation of the Jew and Gentile in one body as a great mystery, which in
previous ages had not been revealed unto the sons and daughters of men as it
was being revealed at that tine. The unity of both the Jew and Gentile in the
one church, or the one body, manifested God’s great wisdom. Paul had been given
a part in declaring this mystery to the whole world. He endeavored, “to
make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the
beginning of the world bath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus
Christ: To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly
places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God.” (Ephesians 3:
9-10.)
It is the church singular which makes known
the manifold wisdom of God, and. not modern denominationalism. It is in the one
church that God’s glory and. wisdom is manifested throughout all ages. “Unto
him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout
all ages, world without end. Amen.” (Ephesians 3:21.)
Ephesians Four
In chapter four, Paul speaks of the unity of the church under the phrase, “the unity of the Spirit.” The unity of the church is outlined under seven units. Paul says, “Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 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.” (Ephesians 4:3-6.) We notice in these verses that there is just one body, and we have already learned that the one body is the church. Therefore, God does not have but one church or one body. It would be just as reasonable to say that there are many Gods or many Lords as to say there are many churches or bodies.
Ephesians Five
In chapter five, Paul compares the headship
of Christ over the church to that of the husband over the wife. He said, “For
the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church:
and he is the saviour of the body.” (Ephesians 5:23.)
The singular nouns body and church are used instead of the plural. This
teaches, as in every other place that Christ has but one church or body, and.
he is the savior of that body as well as being its head and. ruler. Copyright © 2008