Article - The Church Jesus Built
The church that Jesus built is a special and unique body of believers. Yet, unlike many modern denominations, one can identify the true church of Jesus through the Bible. In the Bible, God tells us the when, where, and who of the true church. Notice these identifying marks of Christ’s church.
When: The Roman Period. In Daniel 2:36-44, Daniel prophesied that during the time of the four kingdoms (Babylonian, Medo-Persian, Greek, and Roman) God would set up a kingdom that would never be destroyed. During the first three kingdoms, God did not establish His kingdom. However, during the Roman period Jesus said His kingdom would be set up (Mark 9:1). The Church of Jesus Christ was established during the Roman period in A. D. 30. as believers were added daily to the church (Acts 2:47).
Where: In Jerusalem. In Isaiah 2:1-4, Isaiah proclaimed that the Lord’s house would be set up in Jerusalem. In 1 Timothy 3:14-15, Paul tells us that the church is the House of God. Therefore, we can know that God’s church had to be established in Jerusalem. This is in complete harmony with Acts 2. In Acts 2, Peter preaches the first gospel sermon, and believers are baptized into the church of Christ for the remission of their sins (Acts 2:38, 47).
Who: Jesus Christ. The Bible also tells us who would establish and be the head of the church. Jesus said, “I will build My church” (Matthew 16:18). Paul declared that Jesus was the head of the church, which is His body (Ephesians 1:21-23). Christ is the one who bought the church with His own blood (Acts 20:28). Therefore, Jesus must be the founder and head of the New Testament church.
We must realize Jesus’ church has identifying marks. Please remember, most of our modern denominations began in the America’s, around, or after 1500 A. D. and were started by men not Christ. We must help others search the Scriptures and make sure they are a part of the church that Jesus built!
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