Which Church are YOU a part of?

[Christine]

Which Church are YOU a part of?


Scripture Reading: Ephesians 1:22, 23

Many Christians believe that every time the word "church" appears in Scripture, it refers to the same thing. This is unfortunate, for this thinking has led to much error and confusion.



The fact is, THREE "CHURCHES" can be distinguished in Scripture.

The first church we find in the Bible is "the church in the wilderness" (Act 7: 38).

 This was the Old Testament congregation of Israel. Some would object to calling Israel a church, but this is exactly what the Holy Spirit calls her. In fact, the Hebrew word for "congregation", found numerous times in the Old Testament, is equivalent to the Greek word for "church" (see Psalm 22:22 & Hebrews 2:12). Yet, the Old Testament Israelite church is not the church of today.

The next church we read of in Scripture is yet future.

Christ spoke of it in Matthew 16:18 where Christ told Peter, "I will build my church; and the gates of Hell (Gk. 'hades') shall not prevail against it." This church is still future, for it is begun with a resurrected people. The "gates of hades" is not a reference to Satan's forces, as many teach, but a reference to the entrance (and exit) of the place of the dead (cf. Isaiah 38:10 where "gates of the grave" is literally "the gates of sheol" - sheol being the Hebrew equivalent to the Greek hades).

The third church is the church of today.

Paul calls it "the Church which is His body" (Ephesians 1:22, 23). All true believers today are members of the Body of Christ, the one true Church in this dispensation of grace. Are you a member of this Church?

[BOC560]

This is good information for everyone.  I am surprised (and very appalled) that the degreed and lettered professional leaders of the clergy don't know this very basic Christian truth. 

If I were to take my car to a service center where professional, trained mechanics are available to help me with my problem, and I then discover nobody there can even agree on which way to turn the wrench to remove the spark plugs, I would be understandably upset!

Yet here we have all of the renowned theologians, evangelists and other prominent leaders that are not even aware God has more than one church. 

I think their most absurd teaching that has become generally accepted by the Christian community is that we Gentiles have been elevated to the position of becoming Israelites in a spiritual sense.  Doesn't EVERYBODY know that we are the Bride of Christ?   

The repercussion of all this mindless confusion is that anyone who decides to try to do something about their fallen condition has forty-leven-thousand counterfeit options to sort before they can learn the true gospel of their salvation.  It is not surprising that few will find the narrow way. 

It's for this reason that I speak out against the false teachers in high places frequently.  They have no excuse for teaching heresy that is the doom of their multitudes of followers.  These leaders should at least learn the requirements of salvation according to biblical doctrine and a good start would be for them to understand that God does indeed have more than one church.

BOC560, Johnny

[Christine]

The Three Churches In Scripture: Church Nbr 2.


THREE BIBLE CHURCHES...Church #2
THE CHURCH AT JERUSALEM

Acts 8:1And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles.

A. THE HOUSE OF CHRIST
Hebrews 3:6 But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end.

B. CHRIST THE KING
John 1:49 Nathanael answered and saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel.
John 12:13 Took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord.

C. IT WAS A HOLY NATION, A PECULIAR TREASURE, A KINGDOM OF PRIESTS
1 Peter 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

D. REDEEMED BY THE BLOOD OF THEIR SACRIFICIAL LAMB...CHRIST
Revelation 13:8 And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.
Matthew 25:34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:

E. BORN (BEGOTTEN) AGAIN
1 Peter 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
John 3:3-7 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. 4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? 5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.

F. BAPTIZED IN WATER
Luke 7:29-30 And all the people that heard him, and the publicans, justified God, being baptized with the baptism of John. 30 But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel of God against themselves, being not baptized of him.

G. RIGHTEOUS BEFORE GOD BECAUSE OF GOOD WORKS
Acts 10:35 But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.
James 2:20-24 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? 22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? 23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. 24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.

H. RECEIVE ATONEMENT BY ENDURING TO CHRIST'S SECOND COMING
Hebrews 3:6 But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end. 14 For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end;

I. THEY INHERIT THE EARTH AS THEIR KINGDOM
Matthew 19:28 And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
Revelation 20:4-6And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. 5 But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. 6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.

[Christine]

The Three Churches in Scripture: Church Nbr 3 The Body of Christ


THREE BIBLE CHURCHES #3
THE CHURCH THE BODY OF CHRIST

Ephesians 1:22-23 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, 23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.

A. THE BODY OF CHRIST (NOT THE HOUSE)
Romans 12:5 So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.
1 Corinthians 12:27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.

B. CHRIST IS THE HEAD (NOT THE KING)
Colossians 1:18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.

C. NOT A NATION, NOT A PRIESTHOOD
Galatians 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
Colossians 3:11 Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.
2 Corinthians 5:16Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more.

D. REDEEMED BY THE BLOOD OF OUR SAVIOUR
Ephesians 1:7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
Colossians 1:14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:
Titus 2:13-14 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; 14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
1 Timothy 2:5-6 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; 6 Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.

E. NOT BORN OR REBORN BUT CREATED A NEW CREATION
Ephesians 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
Ephesians 4:24And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
Colossians 3:10 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:

2 Corinthians 5:16-17 Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more. 17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

F. BAPTIZED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT INTO THE BODY OF CHRIST...WITHOUT WATER
1 Corinthians 12:13 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.

Galatians 3:27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
Ephesians 4:5One Lord, one faith, one baptism,

G. RIGHTEOUS BEFORE GOD WITHOUT ANY WORKS...OF THE LAW OR OTHERWISE
Galatians 2:16Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.
Romans 3:24; 4:5 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: 5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.

Titus 3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

H. ATONEMENT A PRESENT POSSESSION BECAUSE OF THE CROSS
Romans 5:11And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.
Romans 5:1-2
Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: 2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

I. WITH AN INHERITANCE IN HEAVENLY PLACES
Ephesians 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:
Ephesians 2:6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
Colossians 3:2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.


PLEASE print all these out and COMPARE them, and then tell me this is the same program! READ All the scriptures.

[Christine]

THREE BIBLE CHURCHES #1
THE CHURCH IN THE WILDERNESS

Acts 7:38 This is he, that was in the church in the wilderness with the angel which spake to him in the mount Sina, and with our fathers: who received the lively oracles to give unto us:

A. IT IS THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL
Exodus 40:38 For the cloud of the LORD was upon the tabernacle by day, and fire was on it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel, throughout all their journeys.
Leviticus 10:6 And Moses said unto Aaron, and unto Eleazar and unto Ithamar, his sons, Uncover not your heads, neither rend your clothes; lest ye die, and lest wrath come upon all the people: but let your brethren, the whole house of Israel, bewail the burning which the LORD hath kindled.

B. MOSES WAS ITS HEAD AND KING
Hebrews 3:5 And Moses verily was faithful in all his house, as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken after;
Deuteronomy 33:4-5 Moses commanded us a law, even the inheritance of the congregation of Jacob. 5 And he was king in Jeshurun, when the heads of the people and the tribes of Israel were gathered together.

C. IT WAS A HOLY NATION, A PECULIAR TREASURE, A KINGDOM OF PRIESTS
Exodus 19:5-6Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine: 6 And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.


D. REDEEMED BY BLOOD OF LAMB
Exodus 12:3-7 Speak ye unto all the congregation of Israel, saying, In the tenth day of this month they shall take to them every man a lamb, according to the house of their fathers, a lamb for an house: 4 And if the household be too little for the lamb, let him and his neighbour next unto his house take it according to the number of the souls; every man according to his eating shall make your count for the lamb. 5 Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year: ye shall take it out from the sheep, or from the goats: 6 And ye shall keep it up until the fourteenth day of the same month: and the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it in the evening. 7 And they shall take of the blood, and strike it on the two side posts and on the upper door post of the houses, wherein they shall eat it.
Deuteronomy 7:8 But because the LORD loved you, and because he would keep the oath which he had sworn unto your fathers, hath the LORD brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you out of the house of bondmen, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt.

E. BORN.... AS GOD'S FIRSTBORN SON
Exodus 4:22 And thou shalt say unto Pharaoh, Thus saith the LORD, Israel is my son, even my firstborn:

F. BAPTIZED UNTO MOSES WITHOUT GETTING WET
1 Corinthians 10:1-2
Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; 2 And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea;

G. RIGHTEOUS BEFORE GOD BECAUSE OF GOOD WORKS
Deuteronomy 6:24-25 And the LORD commanded us to do all these statutes, to fear the LORD our God, for our good always, that he might preserve us alive, as it is at this day. 25 And it shall be our righteousness, if we observe to do all these commandments before the LORD our God, as he hath commanded us.

H. GET THEIR ATONEMENT AT THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST
Zechariah 13:1
in that day there shall be a fountain opened to the house of David and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem for sin and for uncleanness.
Acts 3:19-21 Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; 20 And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you: 21 Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.
Romans 11:26-27 And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: 27 For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.

I. THEY INHERIT THE EARTH AS THEIR KINGDOM
Matthew 5:5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
Psalm 37:11 But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.

[Christine]

Do YOU see the differences in the "churches" mentioned in scripture?

[MaricoG]

Yes!

I also, more and more see how the different religions got off in their doctrines.  Such as the RCC...they are a combination of two churches, plus their own apostacy mixed in.  It is only by the Grace of God, that I got out!  Praise God.

[Christine]

This is a really good thread with alot of information Grace Believers need to know.

[Christine]

Yes!

I also, more and more see how the different religions got off in their doctrines.  Such as the RCC...they are a combination of two churches, plus their own apostacy mixed in.  It is only by the Grace of God, that I got out!  Praise God.

Yep, and aren't you glad you DID?? 

Only by rightly dividing can we KNOW what program God is in today, and what His will IS for us! We don't have to GUESS! Yee haw

[vicmilwaukee]

Hello Sister in Christ:

I joined this forum a few months back but I never got around to writing anyone. Your topic here is what Jesus wanted me to see for I have recently starting writing a lesson on the three Bible churches. 

I'am Bro. Downs from Milwaukee Wisconsin. I came into the grace message a number of years ago under Pastor Sadler at the Berean Bible Institute, where I was a student. There are not any grace churches here in my area that I would join but they all know of me. I,ve been visiting Pastor R. Jordan's sr. church in Rolling Meadow's and intend on visitint there tomorrow and maybe go to the up coming conference there again.

I have experienced grace believer's on both sides of the grace camp "if you don't mind the phrase grace camp", and I 'am kind of saddened by separation. And the self seeking on the part of some. But anyway I feel we can all fellowship whether or not we all agree on who wrote Hebrews? Is certain kinds of prayer o,kay? Did the body of Christ start in Acts 9, midActs or in Acts 28? or Is the Lord's Supper for today or was it just for the 12? And yes! Even on the King James only issue.

I will be reading your page on the three churches. I'am done with my section on the "church in the wilderness" now I want to answer the question- when did this church "wilderness church" exactly end? My answer up to this point is; at the separation of the 12 tribes and the captivities of Judah and Israel, only to come together at the coming of Jesus who then pronounced the begining of the"Kingdom church". If there is a specific verse(s) that lends to this please let me know. The first one that comes to my mind is/are Jer 31:31-34.

Farewell........Bro. Downs   Milwaukee

P.s.  This is a different subject, awhile ago it came to my mind that for single grace believers there are not many ways of meeting, other single grace believers, maybe some one or some grace churches could start a Christian dating service for grace believers. Just a thought. As of right now there are not any at all.   

[Christine]

Hello Sister in Christ:

I joined this forum a few months back but I never got around to writing anyone. Your topic here is what Jesus wanted me to see for I have recently starting writing a lesson on the three Bible churches. 

I am Bro. Downs from Milwaukee Wisconsin. I came into the grace message a number of years ago under Pastor Sadler at the Berean Bible Institute, where I was a student. There are not any grace churches here in my area that I would join but they all know of me. I've been visiting Pastor R. Jordan's sr. church in Rolling Meadow's and intend on visiting there tomorrow.

Its nice to have you here, bro Downs. To answer your question:

The Wilderness Church was a result of UNBELIEVING Israel not entering the promised land that God provided for them. I would say that it ended when all those who WANDERED died out. The focus we need to adopt is that of the difference between the NATION of Israel and the BODY of Christ.

The Jeremiah reference tells us to whom God made the OLD and NEW Covenant.

The Church in the Wilderness and the Kingdom Church had to do with the Nation of Israel, and the Church the Body of Christ has to do with something NEW and unprophesied.

P.s.  This is a different subject, awhile ago it came to my mind that for single grace believers there are not many ways of meeting, other single grace believers, maybe some one or some grace churches could start a Christian dating service for grace believers. Just a thought. As of right now there are not any at all.   

Join us online twice a week in Paltalk for Bible Study. There are several single ladies who attend. I have found that if we focus on the message and developing those qualities that make for a good husband or wife, that God usually takes care of the rest. To me, there are worse things than being single, and I was single for most of my adult life, but I understand the dilemma many single believers find themselves in. When I began working on those areas that I knew God was showing me needed my attention and got my focus off of "where is the right one for ME"...things just kind of went alot smoother and when I wasn't even looking, my husband to be showed up.

Don't despair. Find the positive aspects of being single and enjoy them, instead of focusing on the negative. One must be "content" being single, at least this is what I have found, before one can be successful in a relationship. No one else is responsible for OUR happiness, and many search for relationships based on that erroneous assumption.

Enjoy your singleness and be open for God to bring interesting people into your life.

Thank you for posting...and don't be a stranger. Remember to join us at www.paltalk.com on TUES/THURS eves at 7 PM Central for LIVE online Bible Study. Directions for finding the room are here on the forum. The room name is "Gods Will Made Clear"

Hope to see you there, and to talk with you further here on the forum.

[Oasis]

Howdy vicmilwaukee!  Glad you're here!

I'm on the run, but wanted to welcome you and let you know I look forward to great fellowship and learning together with you.  I'll check back in in the morning.

Ditto on Christine's invitation to paltalk.  Good fellowship...Good learning.

Have a great evening!

ybiC,
Kab