THE CHURCH (ONE BODY)

"The Church was in the mind of God from before the foundation of the world and is presented in the Bible as one of God's mysteries now revealed (Ephesians 1:4; 3:8-9). The Church of Jesus Christ has been blood bought and is the exclusive property of our Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 20:28)." -Pastor Philip Cappuccio

The topic of The Church is very controversial. It's controversial in two ways, when it comes down to it. Between those who seek to build the kingdom of God and those who seek to build their own kingdom. Those who see The Church as Christ's or those who see The Church as their ownership to feed into one's own selfishness and pride. One who see's The Church as Christ's, seeks to uplift the name of Jesus Christ. One who see's The Church as a mean's to own power, seeks to uplift their own name. The question is, what kind of Kingdom is The Church to build?

Jesus' ministry was focused on the Kingdom of God and all that pertains therein. Therefore The Church is Jesus Christ's. Jesus even called it His Church Matthew 16:18 (KJV) And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my (Jesus Christ's) church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. The foundation of The Church is JESUS CHRIST. The revelation of who He is (The Son of the Living God) is the only proper and acceptable foundation upon which God has chosen to build His Church.

The Church is a gathering together of those who have been called out by God, Hebrews 10:25 (KJV) Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. The Church is related to the Kingdom (government/authority) of God. Matthew 16:18-19 (KJV) (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. (19) And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

Having this mind and heart after God's glorification and seeking (to build) His Kingdom, the local church can be likened to an embassy and each member should view themselves as ambassadors of the Kingdom of God (II Corinthians 5:20 KJV) Therefore, 'collectively' The Church is here to represent the authority and interests of the Kingdom of God within the actual region and territory that it has been called (by God) to touch.

Paul, an apostle, receives the revelation of The Church as Christ's Body. Jesus is the head and all the people ' together' the called out ones (all in The Church) are the body of Christ. Ephesians 1:22-23 (KJV) (22) And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him (Jesus Christ) to be the head over all things to the church, (23) Which is his body, the fullness (all in The Church) of him that filleth all in all. This means that each member of The Church has a part of function within the body. The Pastor is the elected (by God through other ministers) leader or shepherd that tends the flock (body of Christ), directing everyone as a whole to the present will of the Lord. The Pastor gives account to the Head Shepherd, Christ, concerning their responsibility guiding The Church in which God placed them over.

For example, our body can not function with out our head, in any correct way. We need our brain, our mind. Our mind has no way to put itself to action with out a body to be attached to, in order to function it's intents. The same is with The Church. The Church can not function in the correct, righteous way without the head, Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is made manifest still in the flesh, when the body (all in The Church) is connected to Him. Command, Godly principle, and vision of God's Kingdom is stored within the mind of God and imparted to and throughout His Body (members of the Church) to fulfill the function. If the body doesn't function after Christ gives the order, the church is in disobedience. God will find another body (another Church) that will obey and take into action all that He commands according to His will. Corinthians 12:12 (KJV) For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.

In the Bible there is only ONE TRUE CHURCH, and it is not divided according to gender, race, or denominations. A sectarian spirit of any kind is wrong. It only represents the carnality of individuals and contributes toward personal kingdom building. I Corinthians 1:12-13 (KJV) (12) Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ. (13) Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?

It's sad to think of the fact that there is so many denominations with in The Church that is to be One! John 10:16 (KJV). One in Christ, not in ourselves. Some denominations originated from man's own opinion, doctrine or doctrine's, man basing his belief more from his notes rather than the Word of God. There was a time when The Church and all people only had ONE version of the Bible the King James Version KJV, or as I like to abbreviate it, The King JESUS Version. I am not putting down any other bible, but I am stressing out the point that the Body of Christ is to be ONE. Some denominations only look to the coming of Christ as a goal in reason to live better in a sense, religiously live better, not relationally. So many people have their own belief of how Jesus will come or we go, that it also influenced the splitting of not only Church, but relationships. I have my own belief, but no matter what happens, all I am sure of, is that the righteous will be with The Lord, weather we go to Him or He comes to us. The Church must get their eyes off themselves and on Jesus Christ in the present and obey Him non-hesitantly and are not to justify His will to their own will. The top reason why The Church is here, is so that God can move through His body, which should result in His glorification. Romans 11:36. In a good way religion is man trying to please God; however relationship is man obeying God. The Church must be in relationship with the Head, Chief corner stone, Commander and Chief Jesus Christ.

John 10:16 (KJV) And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold (individual church): them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold (ONE Church), and one shepherd (Jesus Christ, ONE and only God).

Is The Church solely a New Testament concept? Like Salvation, The Church is a Bible concept. There is an Old Testament phase and a New Testament phase (pre-Calvary & post- Calvary). God has been "calling out" a people unto Himself since the days of Genesis (since the beginning). Acts 7:38 (KJV) This is he, that was in the church in the wilderness with the angel which spoke to him in the mount Sina, and with our fathers: who received the lively oracles to give unto us:. Israel was given the first opportunity to believe the Gospel (good news), but as a nation they rejected Jesus during that allotted time and then the Gospel was brought to the Gentiles (Grecians). In which the Gospel, good news of Jesus Christ is for all who believe upon Him. John 3:16.

Communion is a 'family meal'. It's when all the members of The Church partake in this Holy meal, of each, individually partaking a piece from the same loaf of bread and juice (some wine). The bread represents the body of Christ and the juice represents the blood of Christ in which cleansed our sins and became called out by God. It's a meal that brings together the body (members) of Christ with in The Church (House of God), a members Christ. In other words, it's not only the fact that the members take a mental note into remembrance of what Jesus accomplished on the cross, but literally the meal is caused to RE-MEMBER His body back to the head, Jesus Christ. It's a meal that brings the family together in the same house, back to the master of the home, Jesus Christ.

I encourage you my fellow reader, thank God there is a place for you in the family. Don't hesitate to serve within the local church. You are called to be first and foremost a servant of The Lord Jesus Christ, to be a important part of the body of Christ, His Church. Picture in your mind a house or a wealthy man. There is a meeting around this huge long table and at the head of the table is the owner who is also the master of the house. Next to him is the butler who is also the master's coordinator over all the servants with in the household who is always at the master's right side. There are other servants to the master as well. Some clean the house, some great guests as they come into the house, some serve the guest, some even go out of the house to invite others to come to their master's house, and etc. The servant's job is to respond immediately to the intent and desire of the master of the house. I am sure at time the command may not be the will of the servant, however the servant puts themselves into submission to the command of the master. All the servant's work together as a team to meet whatever instruction come from the master of the house. They put it into action. Sometimes the master will instruct a servant individually or all together. Whatever he chooses or how/who he instructs, it all will result to the fruitfulness of his intent. The house is The Church, The Master is Jesus Christ, and the main butler which is also the appointed coordinator at Jesus' right side in The Church is the Pastor. The servants including the main coordinator is the Body of Christ. The table is to all; both saved and unsaved from another house (Church) or the world, to sit with Christ as the rest of Christ's body (servants) serve them. By either preaching the word, singing a song, or whatever. Whatever the present flow and instruction is of God, brought forth from the appointed coordinator (Pastor). Matthew 18 (KJV).

Weather your church is small or big, you are serving the same Master, The King of all kings, the Lord of all lords, Jesus Christ. You, my fellow reader are called to serve in a place that's is rich in the Kingdom of God. You are part of a Royal Family. You Father is the Lord God, Jesus Christ. So thank God we are called to be co-laborers with Him! To serve Him, even by serving others! Because in all things that we do, we do it unto Him! Thank God for His Grace and touch on our lives that we can be in relationship with Him! II Corinthians 6:1 (KJV). We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain (religiously). Let us then go and follow the Lord Church! Praise God that the Church is called to keep their eyes on the prize, Jesus Christ! That we don't have to pray for a revival but go prepare for it!

Romans 12:1-2 (KJV) (1) I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice (servants), holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. (2) And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove (do) what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Matthew 4:10 (KJV) Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.

Romans 11:36 (KJV) For of him, and through him (through His Body), and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen (So be it).

God Bless