The Church That Jesus Built

by
A. G. HOBBS

Jesus said “I will build My church.” Matthew 16:18. Again we are told “The Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved” Acts 2:47.

Between the time that the Lord said He would build His church, and that He was adding to the church; it came into existence, or was established, or He could not have added the obedient to it. It is evident that the church is built on Jesus Christ — not on Peter. Please note:
“For other foundation can no man lay
than that is laid,
which is Jesus Christ.”
(1 Corinthians 3:11).

The word “church” is found many times in the New Testament; and is used in three senses: In a general sense, embracing all the saved, Ephesians 5:25; in a local sense, embracing the saved of a certain locality, I Corinthians 1:2, and in Romans 16:16 . Paul refers to local congregations in different places. Then “the church” is used in an assembled sense as in I Corinthians 14:23, 34-35. Primarily the word “church” means “the called out,” and by consequence called together.

The New Testament reveals that Jesus built His church and it also reveals outstanding characteristics about it. The church of Christ today is not a denomination but the true church of the Lord in name, terms of pardons worship and all the fundamentals and essentials. We are pleading for Christianity in its primitive purity — free from human names, creeds, and traditions.

We do not believe in water salvation. We do not believe in salvation by works of human merit. There are “good” people in all religious bodies but it takes more than merely being “good” to be saved. God’s will must be done. Matthew 7:21.

With an open mind and Bible, will you carefully consider the following facts about the church of the New Testament — the one that Jesus built:

It’s Oneness Jesus built only one church. It is called the body of Christ, Ephesians 1:22-23; “There is one body.” Ephesians 4:4. Therefore, Christ has one church. “But now are they many members, yet BUT ONE BODY.” 1 Corinthians 12:20. Therefore, there is BUT ONE CHURCH. Every figure that refers to the church teaches its oneness: one King — one kingdom, John 18:36; one husband — one bride, 2 Corinthians 11:2; one shepherd —one flock, John 10:11, 16; Ephesians 2:12-22; one building — one foundation, 1 Corinthians 3:9, 11.

The fact that there is one, and only one true church cannot be denied without evading and denying the plain teaching of the Bible.

Built By Christ Jesus said, “I will build my church.” Matthew 16:18. Since the church of Christ was built by Christ, it could not have been built by any man.

Furthermore Jesus built only one church. “My church” is singular number. All others, therefore, that have sprung up since New Testament times must have been built by men and without either the authority or approval of Christ. The logic and force of this conclusion cannot be evaded without evading the truth.

Began A.D. 33“ And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.” Acts 2:47. This was in A.D. 33. The church that the Lord declared that He would build had, therefore, been built. He could not have added the saved to the church had it not been in existence. The history of the establishment of the church of Christ is found in Acts 2:1-47.

Began In Jerusalem Just before His ascension, Jesus told the apostles “that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.” Luke 24:47. And Jesus told them not to depart from Jerusalem until they be endued with power from on high. Luke 24:49. After His ascension, they returned to Jerusalem and there tarried until the Holy Spirit came to guide them into all truth and enable them to preach accurately what the Lord wanted preached and also to confirm or prove the truth preached. (Mark 16:20).

Isaiah had prophesied that the law of the Lord was to go forth from Jerusalem. Isaiah 2:2-3. So it was in this city that the church had to be established, and there it was established; and there the Lord added to it daily. Any religious body of people today that had its origin in any other place cannot be the church of Christ.

Purchased By Blood Of Christ Jesus purchased the church with His own blood. Acts 20:28. He gave himself for the church. Ephesians 5:25. His church is precious and dear to Him. To persecute it is to persecute Him. Acts 9:5.

He died for no denomination Therefore, they are bloodless as far as the blood of Christ is concerned; and most of them teach that a person is saved on the outside before and without belonging to them.

Every drop of blood that Jesus shed went to the purchasing of His church. If a sinner is saved on the outside, he is saved without blood.

Saved By Blood Of Christ Sinners are saved by the blood of Christ. Matthew 26:28. The blood of Christ was shed in His death. We are baptized into Christ and into His death. Romans 6:3-4. Hence, no one receives any benefit of the death and shed blood of Christ until he is buried with Him by baptism into His death.

No foreigner can become a naturalized citizen of the U.S. by merely believing in the President. He must, comply with the rules laid down. No one can be saved merely by believing in Christ. Sinners do not believe into the death of Christ, but are baptized into His death. Hence, the doctrine of salvation by faith only is a bloodless doctrine.

Salvation is in Christ. 2 Timothy 2:10. Redemption is in Christ. Ephesians 1:7. We are baptized into Christ. Galatians 3:26-27 The saving power of Christ’s blood extends only to those that obey Him. Hebrews 5:9.

All The Saved Added“ And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.” Acts 2:47. Only the obedient should be saved; hence, all who heard the gospels believed it, repented of their sins, confessed their faith in Christ and were baptized into Him, were added to His church. Acts 2:38; Romans 10:10. No one was voted on. There is neither command nor example for voting to receive a person into the church. They obeyed and the Lord did the adding. There were no saved people out of the church of the Lord.

Strictly Independent The church of the Lord existed in the first century independent of all other religious organizations The early Christians were all complete in Christ. Colossians 2:10. They enjoyed all spiritual blessings without any religious affiliation other than being members of the church of Christ.

This undeniable conclusion follows:
No denomination is essential today. All could disband without molesting the church of the Lord in the least. There is not one spiritual blessing that is promised of the Lord that cannot be obtained by belonging to His church — and His church only.

Furthermore, each local congregation was independent of every other congregation. There were no presiding elders, but a plurality of elders or bishops over each congregation. Acts 11:30, 14:23, 20:17; Philippians 1:1.

All Apostles Members All the apostles were members of the church that Jesus built. 1 Corinthians 12:28. They all were given the same gospel to preach. All that heard them heard and believed the same message. All were told to do the same things to be saved. And all who obeyed were just Christians only. They were all added to, the same church —the church of Christ. If all preachers today spoke only as the oracles of God, 1 Peter 4:11, all their converts would just be Christians only.

Not Composed Of Denominations The church that Jesus built is not composed of different denominations, wearing different names, teaching different doctrines, etc. This is division, confusion, and a hindrance to spreading the true gospel. Jesus said that a kingdom divided against itself cannot stand. Mark 3:24.

The church of the New Testament consisted of all those that obeyed the gospel. It is used in a general sense referring to the saved, and in a limited sense referring to the saved of a certain locality as, “The churches of Christ salute you.” Romans 16:16. Paul was here speaking of local congregations The local congregations were made up of individual members. “Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.” 1 Corinthians 12:27.

Christians Only The disciples were called Christians. Acts 11:26; 26:28; 1 Peter 4:16. They were content to be Christians only and not join a denomination unknown to the Bible, and add a human name, or a number. No, they were not “First Christians.” There is something in a name. We may wear the right name and be right in name, or wear a human name and be wrong in name. Are you just a Christian?

No Pie Suppers The church that Jesus built met its financial obligations with free-will offerings which were given in accord with Divine instruction. The Divine plan is for each one to lay by in store on the first day of the week as he has prospered, willingly and cheerfully as he purposes in his heart. 1 Corinthians 16:1-2; 2 Corinthians 9:7. And Christians are commanded to give bountifully. 2 Corinthians 9:6. Giving is one of the supreme tests of one’s love. Love gives. The more we love the more we give. Those who love the Lord do not have to be enticed by an oyster fry, or pie supper.

Suppers and entertainments to raise money for the work of the Lord are contrary both to the letter and the spirit of the New Testament.

No Human Creeds The creed of the church of Christ is Christ. His life, death for man’s sins, burial, resurrection, and kingship were preached. These facts convinced men that Jesus is the Christ the Son of the living God. They were then commanded to obey the commands of King Jesus — recognize His authority and bow in submission to His will.

No uninspired men could make a creed or bind one on the church. They could not then. They can not now. The inspired Word is now an all sufficient guide in all matters of religious faith, doctrine, and practice. 2 Timothy 3:16-17.

Only Vocal Music The first principle of acceptable worship is to worship the Lord AS HE DIRECTS and not just as we choose. The inspired writers of the New Testament commanded the early church to sing. Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16. They specified the KIND of music to. use. Every other kind is thereby excluded.

Instrumental music is at least 6000 years old. Jubal, a descendant of Cain, “was the father of all such as handle the harp and pipe.” Genesis 4:21. Therefore, those who think that the use of instrumental music is a mark of progress are misinformed. Musical instruments had been in existence for thousands of years before Christ, and were in existence during His life here on earth, and when the church was established. Yet, the apostles who were guided into all truth by the Spirit, John 16:13, did not command or authorize such to be used in worship.

The church of Christ walks by faith. 2 Corinthians 5:7. Faith comes by hearing the word of God, Romans 10:17; and “whatsoever is not of faith is sin.” Romans 14:23. Since instrumental music is not authorized in the doctrine of Christ it is religiously wrong to inject it into the worship. And John declares that all such “hath not God.” 2 John 9.

Believed In Debates The early church believed in contending earnestly for the faith once for all delivered to the saints as Jude commands in Jude 3. The word “contend” is defined: To strive in opposition or rivalry; compete; also, to strive in debate; argue.

In the King James Version, “debate” is condemned in Romans 1:29; but it used to mean strife. Now debate has come to mean honorable discussion, and certainly is not wrong when properly conducted. The word “debate” is omitted and the Greek word is translated “strife” in the American Standard Version.

Stephen, guided by the Holy Spirit, engaged in a public disputation. In Acts 6:9-10 we read: “There arose certain of the synagogue . .. disputing with Stephen. And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake.” Since Stephen was guided by the Holy Spirit, it is evident that a public discussion of a religious question is not wrong. It was not wrong then, and it is not wrong now.

Jesus had many discussions on religious issues. He debated the devil, Matthew 4:1-11. Read His discussions with the Sadducees and Pharisees, Matthew 22 :23-46; and note His public rebuke of the religious hypocrisy of which they were guilty, Matthew 23:1-33.

All discussions should be in a kind spirit; but to refuse to contend for the truth is not the spirit of Christ. Anything that is not worth contending for is evidently no part of the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.

Hence, the church of Christ stands ready at any time to uphold the truth in either private or public discussion — and without fear of successful contradiction because truth has nothing to fear.

Any church that does not believe in debates is lacking in one of the characteristics of the church that Jesus built.

“One Baptism” “There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism.” Ephesians 4:4-5.

This passage plainly declares that there is ONE BAPTISM. Therefore, it is certainly wrong to teach that there is more than one.

1. This “one baptism” is water baptism. Proof: Paul, by inspiration, penned this truth about A.D. 64. Peter, guided by the same Spirit, and about the same time, said that baptism is in water, 1 Peter 3:20-21, as does Acts 8:35-40 and Romans 6:3-5. So that should forever settle the question beyond doubt.

The last example of baptism of the Holy Ghost was about A.D. 41. Acts 10:44-45. It was about 23 years thereafter that Paul wrote Ephesians and declared that there is “one baptism.”

There had been John’s baptism, but it was no longer valid. Acts 19:1-5. There had been the baptism of the Holy Ghost, Acts 2:4; 10:44-45; and there is to be the baptism of fire. 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9. But now THERE IS ONLY ONE BAPTISM, AND IT IS IN WATER.

2. It is a burial of the body in water, and a resurrection to walk in newness of life. Acts 8:35-40; Romans 6:3-5; Colossians 2:12.

3. It is to be saved, Mark 16:16.

4. It is for believers (not infants), Matthew 28:1 8-20. Infants are not lost and cannot be taught the gospel.

These undeniable conclusions follow unless the word of God is denied: Sprinkling and pouring are not baptism; and no one today has the baptism of the Holy Ghost, (or Spirit).

The Lord’s Supper Weekly “And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight.” Acts 20:7.

Thus, we are told how often the Lord’s supper was observed by the early Church. It was not monthly or yearly. Neither was the time Thursday night, but on the first day of the week — the Lord’s Day. Revelation 1:10. Every week has a first day. The church of Christ today meets on the first day of the week to break bread as we have this example.

Does the church to which you belong meet on the first day of the week to break bread? If not, why not? It does not fit the Divine pattern.

Secular historians testify that the Lord’s supper was observed every Lord’s day, and that the Lord’s day is the first day of the week — not the seventh day --- the Sabbath.

In his History of the Christian Religion and the Church, Neander wrote as follows;

“As we have already remarked, the celebration of the Lord’s Supper was still held to constitute an essential part of divine worship on every Sunday, as appears from Justin Martyr (A. D. 150), and the whole church partook of the communion after they joined in the Amen of the preceding prayer.” (Vol. 1, page 332).

Eusebius, who has been called the father of ecclesiastical history, said: “From the beginning the Christians assembled on the first day of the week, called by them the Lord’s Day, to read the Scriptures, to preach, and to celebrate the Lord’s supper.”

“The Lord’s Day” cannot refer to the Sabbath, the seventh day of the week, because it was part of the Old Law that was written on tables of stone when Moses’ face shined; and this testament “was abolished,” (2 Corinthians 3:6-14) — when Jesus was crucified. (Colossians 2:14-16).

The Church Today The church of Christ today is the one that Jesus built. We wear the same name, teach the same terms of pardon, and worship the same way. To be the New Testament Church, it must meet the characteristics herein set forth. Are you a member of the Church that Jesus built or do you belong to one that is human in origin, name, faith, doctrine, and practice? Why belong to a denomination when you could belong to the true Church you read about in the New Testament and be just a Christian only?

If you desire to practice Christianity as it was in New Testament times, we invite you to obey the Gospel and the Lord will add you to His Church, Acts 2:38, 47. Then worship according to the pattern of the Church of the New Testament times; live a faithful religious life, a clean life morally; be faithful unto death and a crown of life will be yours in the heavenly home where sorrows never come, and tears will be wiped away.

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Please contact me, Dennis Crawford, at BibleTruthsToU@gmail.com, or 253-396-0290 (cell) for comments or further Bible information, or for the location of a congregation belonging to Jesus Christ near you.