The True Church

[Gideon300]

The church seems to be in decline in many so-called Christian countries. As nations such as Australia and America desert their Christian heritage, societies are unraveling. Our Prime Minister has decided to march with the celebration of rebellion and immorality aka gay mardi gras. I won't miss this planet when God calls me home.

The good news is that Lord Jesus is building His Church. Nothing Satan says or does can prevent this. When Lord Jesus does something, it is done perfectly. The church is glorious, victorious, overcoming and triumphant. Satan is utterly defeated. All that Christians need to do is catch up with what Lord Jesus has done. However, this comes at a cost. We need to die to self, carry our cross and put the Kingdom of God first. Then we will be disciples indeed.

 

[JaumeJ]

A glorious comment upon this thread's title, praise our Lord Jesus Yeshua that He has transformed us into the living stones of the Temple with our King, Himself, the Chief and the Corner Stone thereof, amen.

 

[ResidentAlien]

The church seems to be in decline in many so-called Christian countries. As nations such as Australia and America desert their Christian heritage, societies are unraveling. Our Prime Minister has decided to march with the celebration of rebellion and immorality aka gay mardi gras. I won't miss this planet when God calls me home.

The good news is that Lord Jesus is building His Church. Nothing Satan says or does can prevent this. When Lord Jesus does something, it is done perfectly. The church is glorious, victorious, overcoming and triumphant. Satan is utterly defeated. All that Christians need to do is catch up with what Lord Jesus has done. However, this comes at a cost. We need to die to self, carry our cross and put the Kingdom of God first. Then we will be disciples indeed.

Can you share what you mean by "building His Church" and the "Kingdom of God?" These things can mean different things to different people.

 

[Nehemiah6]

The church seems to be in decline in many so-called Christian countries.

We should always distinguish between "Christendom" and "the Church". While Christendom is in decline, God is adding to His Church (the Body of Christ) daily. None of us knows what is going on behind the scenes worldwide, even in Communist China and the Middle East and Israel. We should also keep in mind that God has a specific number of Gentiles ("the fulness of the Gentiles") who must be added to the Church before it is complete.

 

[awelight]

The church seems to be in decline in many so-called Christian countries. As nations such as Australia and America desert their Christian heritage, societies are unraveling. Our Prime Minister has decided to march with the celebration of rebellion and immorality aka gay mardi gras. I won't miss this planet when God calls me home.

The good news is that Lord Jesus is building His Church. Nothing Satan says or does can prevent this. When Lord Jesus does something, it is done perfectly. The church is glorious, victorious, overcoming and triumphant. Satan is utterly defeated. All that Christians need to do is catch up with what Lord Jesus has done. However, this comes at a cost. We need to die to self, carry our cross and put the Kingdom of God first. Then we will be disciples indeed.

Indeed, you have brought out a reassuring point for all believers to remember.

The "local aspect" of the church can go into decline and will as this world approaches the end. Many of the local churches throughout history have declined and disappeared. Just as many have fallen prey to Satan and his evil doctrines. So too, have many become "humanistic' houses of worship, pandering to those who are "tares" while the "wheat" withers.

This decline and falling into severe Error is foretold in Scripture. Therefore, it should take well indoctrinated believers by no surprise.

But as you pointed out, by God's eternal decree, nothing will or can stop the "Universal aspect" of the church which Christ is building. Only this "Universal aspect" is made-up of only True believers.

 

[Edify]

The decline is the Falling Away.
Mat 7:13“Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. 14For the gate is narrow and the way is constricted that leads to life, and there are few who find it.

 

[Gideon300]

Can you share what you mean by "building His Church" and the "Kingdom of God?" These things can mean different things to different people.

The Church is the Body of Christ. Lord Jesus is the Head. The Head controls the Body. The Body must be of the same substance, so to speak, as the Head. So only those who are "of Christ", i.e. born again, are the Body.

Lord Jesus is adding people to His church daily. Each believer has a part to play. Sadly, this aspect of church life is neglected. Too much power and responsibility is given to the pastor and the congregation are more or less passive observers. "Building the church" requires the cooperation of Christians. Lord Jesus has His people who are doing just that. It's a minority, but it is enough. It's the "remnant" principle. Even when all seems lost, there are "7,000 who have not bowed the knee to Baal".

The Kingdom of God is outlined in Luke 4:18. Jesus did not preach the gospel of "go to heaven when you die" which is what passes for evangelism these days. It's the gospel of deliverance and of Satan's defeat. It's where Satan is driven out and God rules instead.

 

[ResidentAlien]

The Church is the Body of Christ. Lord Jesus is the Head. The Head controls the Body. The Body must be of the same substance, so to speak, as the Head. So only those who are "of Christ", i.e. born again, are the Body.

Lord Jesus is adding people to His church daily. Each believer has a part to play. Sadly, this aspect of church life is neglected. Too much power and responsibility is given to the pastor and the congregation are more or less passive observers. "Building the church" requires the cooperation of Christians. Lord Jesus has His people who are doing just that. It's a minority, but it is enough. It's the "remnant" principle. Even when all seems lost, there are "7,000 who have not bowed the knee to Baal".

The Kingdom of God is outlined in Luke 4:18. Jesus did not preach the gospel of "go to heaven when you die" which is what passes for evangelism these days. It's the gospel of deliverance and of Satan's defeat. It's where Satan is driven out and God rules instead.

I've been looking for the remnant. It would be nice if I had a clue who they are, where they are and how to recognize them.

 

[Gideon300]

I've been looking for the remnant. It would be nice if I had a clue who they are, where they are and how to recognize them.

Me too. Often, they are outside the mainstream denominations. They are usually unrecognised, not theologically trained, and create problems for the denominational status quo. Yet they are recognised by Jesus. They are people who have turned away from self, who carry their cross and walk in humility.

My mentor for 30 years was one. This is the website that is a brief summary of what he taught those who wanted more than outwards religion. If you seek the Lord to be one of the remnant, He will bring you to that place. Be warned: it will cost you everything. Yet the rewards are beyond imagination.

https://www.christianlife.org.au/

"A beggar saw a Maharajah on the back of an elephant. The beggar had a bowl of rice, given to him by those who had pity on him. He looked at the Maharajah. Surely this man was rich and would give him much rice! The Maharajah came down and said, "Beggar, give me some of your rice."

The beggar put most of his rice into a bag as he did not want the bowl to overflow or people to think that he had enough. So he reluctantly gave the bowl with a few grains of rice. The Maharajah gave it back. When the beggar looked in it, he saw gold nuggets, exactly one for each grain of rice. He rejoiced, then had a thought: "If only I had given him all that I had".

You cannot out-give God. He does not need our money, possessions, talents or even our time. What He really wants is us. All of us. All the time. It's known as consecration. Our lives must pass out our hands and into His.

 

[wattie]

In Acts.. God adding to church.. the church in question is the church at Jerusalem. Local and visible.

Paul persecuted the church of God. Was that every believer? No... the church at Jerusalem. Paul persecuted no other.

The local and visible church is all there is at this time.

All believers won't be one church until they assemble together as one in the New Jerusalem.

I don't know why people don't get this.

The body of Christ is a local body. It won't be one body of all believers till the New Jerusalem.

Want biblical proof?

Almost every time church is mentioned in the NT it is of one particular localized entity. Not a building... but a local Christian community of saved, baptised believers.

Where it isn't of one I'm particular.. aka Mathew 16:18.. it's in a generic sense. Like 'the bar' 'The school' 'The dog' 'The horse'

If a church doesn't or can't assemble.. it's not the biblical definition of a church. The church is an assembly or congregation. That is what it is. That's what ecclessia means.

Most call every believer 'the church '

I believe the Bible shows every believer to be part of the Kingdom and Family of God. But not 'the church'

Kingdom, Family, and church.. different entities...

Not the same.

There is one body..

Yes.. one body at Ephesus.. one body at Phillipi etc etc..

Last time I post this same message. I repeat.
The church is always local in the NT.

 

[GRACE_ambassador]

op: The ONE True Church?
Better question is:

Which Is The ONE True Church "Of Today"? Since there are:

"Three Churches In Scripture...

 

[Aaron56]

In Acts.. God adding to church.. the church in question is the church at Jerusalem. Local and visible.

Paul persecuted the church of God. Was that every believer? No... the church at Jerusalem. Paul persecuted no other.

The local and visible church is all there is at this time.

All believers won't be one church until they assemble together as one in the New Jerusalem.

I don't know why people don't get this.

The body of Christ is a local body. It won't be one body of all believers till the New Jerusalem.

Want biblical proof?

Almost every time church is mentioned in the NT it is of one particular localized entity. Not a building... but a local Christian community of saved, baptised believers.

Where it isn't of one I'm particular.. aka Mathew 16:18.. it's in a generic sense. Like 'the bar' 'The school' 'The dog' 'The horse'

If a church doesn't or can't assemble.. it's not the biblical definition of a church. The church is an assembly or congregation. That is what it is. That's what ecclessia means.

Most call every believer 'the church '

I believe the Bible shows every believer to be part of the Kingdom and Family of God. But not 'the church'

Kingdom, Family, and church.. different entities...

Not the same.

There is one body..

Yes.. one body at Ephesus.. one body at Phillipi etc etc..

Last time I post this same message. I repeat.
The church is always local in the NT.

Jesus Christ does not have more than one body.

Another way to look at it: the only Biblically allowable division in the church is geographical. The body is catholic: in heaven and on the earth (not "Catholic" with a pope).

 

[Blade]

What ever God starts it always grows. "if" the Church is you and me then its not the Pastors fault nor Gods fault if in some places the Church is in decline. It does not help reading on every Christian forum I'm on "we don't need to go to Church, I don't go to Church any more". So who's out there witnessing? Telling them they need to find a good Church home or.. na you need Jesus but.. you don't need Church. Some have no idea just who they are really helping. Lol no the Body is not Catholic or Baptist or blah blah blah.

There is no "true Church". Try asking Him where He wants you to go to...you will find out its not what you pictured. So the true Church is what... one that does not have the gifts of the Spirit since they are gone or do have the gifts of the spirit working every day.. Just these two cause some to really get upset. Ooh what if that real Church preaches you can never lose your salvation and the Sabbath? Don't matter vs you can lose your salvation and that Sabbath is on Sat on and on and on.

Its just not good enough to go to a Church for Him not what we personally get stuck on. As if He coming in the flesh dying on the cross for the worlds sin was buried rose the 3rd day is not enough. "why you here?" "just to worship with you and praise the king of kings and hear from God". So many bring baggage. We really need to get over this for its His way not ours and He will not bend or move.

Christianity is Acts. You have the mind of Christ...oooh think about that. Is that the mind of the man that walked this earth? No. Were you go He goes. You take that temple everywhere....so just what does the world see who shines more? Anyway if we see the Church not growing then you and me are not doing our job. Just how many have you shared Christ with? Me none this week or the last.. that's not Gods will. Every post I make I have to preach to me first. I have to walk in it live it before I can tell anyone they need to do the same.

The Church is growing always has... the world will see Satan and laugh.. this is he that lied to the nations? Can our God do anything, are all things possible with Him with you and me since we have Christ with in us? Then step out of His way...stop telling Him what His word really says. Let Him tell you what He meant..sorry getting lost..

 

[Aaron56]

What ever God starts it always grows. "if" the Church is you and me then its not the Pastors fault nor Gods fault if in some places the Church is in decline. It does not help reading on every Christian forum I'm on "we don't need to go to Church, I don't go to Church any more". So who's out there witnessing? Telling them they need to find a good Church home or.. na you need Jesus but.. you don't need Church. Some have no idea just who they are really helping. Lol no the Body is not Catholic or Baptist or blah blah blah.

There is no "true Church". Try asking Him where He wants you to go to...you will find out its not what you pictured. So the true Church is what... one that does not have the gifts of the Spirit since they are gone or do have the gifts of the spirit working every day.. Just these two cause some to really get upset. Ooh what if that real Church preaches you can never lose your salvation and the Sabbath? Don't matter vs you can lose your salvation and that Sabbath is on Sat on and on and on.

Its just not good enough to go to a Church for Him not what we personally get stuck on. As if He coming in the flesh dying on the cross for the worlds sin was buried rose the 3rd day is not enough. "why you here?" "just to worship with you and praise the king of kings and hear from God". So many bring baggage. We really need to get over this for its His way not ours and He will not bend or move.

Christianity is Acts. You have the mind of Christ...oooh think about that. Is that the mind of the man that walked this earth? No. Were you go He goes. You take that temple everywhere....so just what does the world see who shines more? Anyway if we see the Church not growing then you and me are not doing our job. Just how many have you shared Christ with? Me none this week or the last.. that's not Gods will. Every post I make I have to preach to me first. I have to walk in it live it before I can tell anyone they need to do the same.

The Church is growing always has... the world will see Satan and laugh.. this is he that lied to the nations? Can our God do anything, are all things possible with Him with you and me since we have Christ with in us? Then step out of His way...stop telling Him what His word really says. Let Him tell you what He meant..sorry getting lost..

As the Day approaches we will see the stark contrast between the church and the religious institutional system. In many ways we are already seeing it. The biggest problem with the US church is that they believe they are the purveyors of a standard. We could learn much from the church in Tehran or the church in Huangzhou where following Christ is dangerous.

 

[aa31000]

I've been looking for the remnant. It would be nice if I had a clue who they are, where they are and how to recognize them.

Its not hard to find them. The ones taking the lead teach exactly what Jesus taught, not a little bit but every single teaching. To learn and apply and obey. Here is a super important teaching from Jesus = Matthew 6:33-- Therefore, keep on seeking- FIRST- the kingdom and his ( YHWH(Jehovah) righteousness and all these things will be added( sustenance, covering, spirituality-Matt 6)

 

[Nehemiah6]

Which Is The ONE True Church "Of Today"? Since there are: "Three Churches In Scripture...

This is completely false. There was no "church" in the wilderness. That word should have been "congregation" or "assembly", and the congregation of Israel was both rebellious and idolatrous in the wilderness: And they made a calf in those days, and offered sacrifice unto the idol, and rejoiced in the works of their own hands. Then God turned, and gave them up to worship the host of heaven; as it is written in the book of the prophets, O ye house of Israel, have ye offered to me slain beasts and sacrifices by the space of forty years in the wilderness? Yea, ye took up the tabernacle of Moloch, and the star of your god Remphan, figures which ye made to worship them: and I will carry you away beyond Babylon. (Acts 7:41-43)

Also there was no church before Pentecost, but Christ ANTICIPATED the formation of the Church before Pentecost, just as He anticipated His death, burial, resurrection, and ascension. Without the outpouring of the Holy Spirit there could be no Church, and that is exactly what we see in Acts 2. However, the Hyper-Dispensationalists pretend that there was no Church at Jerusalem in Acts 2, or that it was a quasi-Church. But God has said that "the good olive tree" is believing Israel, and all Gentiles belong to "the wild olive tree" but have been grafted in because of God's grace. Hence no Gentiles should be "high-minded". Yet the Church remained a "mystery" to the OT prophets and even to the other apostles. It was Paul who was given the revelation of the mystery of the Church.

The true Church (the Body of Christ, both redeemed Jews and Gentiles) consists of the children of God worldwide. And without the gift of the Holy Spirit, no one can be a child of God. The true Church is not visible to the human eye, but God knows exactly each and every one of His sheep. And Christ holds them in His hands. They are from every nation, every tribe, and every tongue. Some may even be within the false denominations. But that is not the criterion.

 

[Fillan]

A good, bible based church can be a huge blessing for those who attend and for others. A physical church building can be an asset. For example in Evangelism. Many people in desperate need turn to a church. They can locate the building quickly when they're in greatest need. There's a sign outside with information. I have seen suicidal persons, homeless, socially isolated, ill, addicts and those in desperate financial need seeking out a church for help. Many come to faith in Jesus Christ because of the help they receive. But an invisible remnant is harder to find. God Bless All

 

[Pilgrimshope]

Jesus Christ does not have more than one body.

Another way to look at it: the only Biblically allowable division in the church is geographical. The body is catholic: in heaven and on the earth (not "Catholic" with a pope).

(not sure about Catholicism but )

amen brother to this ” Jesus Christ does not have more than one body.”

“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 ‭4:4-6‬ ‭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.”
‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭12:12‬ ‭

Jesus sacrificed his body , willingly gave his earthly body to cover the sins of his disciples , even the imperfect ones who believe in him as thier lord and savior. Even someone who hears and believes the same gospel they become a member of the body of Christ his body is eternal like his words are eternal his sacrifice for sin eternal his name above all names eternal

denominations im nOt sure matter wether I say “ I’m a Protestant “ or “ Baptist “ “ catholic “ or whatever I believe what’s going to matter is that we really hear and believe the true gospel that came from God and avoid the insanity of doctrines today that explain that’s not the real gospel that came from Jesus

Until Jesus returns every time a new believer is born again other member of the body of Christ is born of the exact same promises he made in the gospel and said anyone who believes will be saved

 

[aa31000]

This is completely false. There was no "church" in the wilderness. That word should have been "congregation" or "assembly", and the congregation of Israel was both rebellious and idolatrous in the wilderness: And they made a calf in those days, and offered sacrifice unto the idol, and rejoiced in the works of their own hands. Then God turned, and gave them up to worship the host of heaven; as it is written in the book of the prophets, O ye house of Israel, have ye offered to me slain beasts and sacrifices by the space of forty years in the wilderness? Yea, ye took up the tabernacle of Moloch, and the star of your god Remphan, figures which ye made to worship them: and I will carry you away beyond Babylon. (Acts 7:41-43)

Also there was no church before Pentecost, but Christ ANTICIPATED the formation of the Church before Pentecost, just as He anticipated His death, burial, resurrection, and ascension. Without the outpouring of the Holy Spirit there could be no Church, and that is exactly what we see in Acts 2. However, the Hyper-Dispensationalists pretend that there was no Church at Jerusalem in Acts 2, or that it was a quasi-Church. But God has said that "the good olive tree" is believing Israel, and all Gentiles belong to "the wild olive tree" but have been grafted in because of God's grace. Hence no Gentiles should be "high-minded". Yet the Church remained a "mystery" to the OT prophets and even to the other apostles. It was Paul who was given the revelation of the mystery of the Church.

The true Church (the Body of Christ, both redeemed Jews and Gentiles) consists of the children of God worldwide. And without the gift of the Holy Spirit, no one can be a child of God. The true Church is not visible to the human eye, but God knows exactly each and every one of His sheep. And Christ holds them in His hands. They are from every nation, every tribe, and every tongue. Some may even be within the false denominations. But that is not the criterion.

One true religion began after Jesus death-Acts 24:5--Revelation mentions 7 congregations of a single religion. This is a true mark of that 1 religion-1Cor 1:10--Unity of thought( all of Gods 1 truth, no division. Yet there are over 40,000 religions claiming to be the religion that follows Jesus-1 is. Its not to hard to see. Jesus said they would be hated because the world hated him first. And they teach every teaching Jesus taught to be learned and applied without fail. After all-obeying is proof of ones love.

 

[soberxp]

I take a pessimistic view of it. We can have that Confirmed number of people in a church building. It's like the boss gives you a thousand dollars, and when you finally face the boss, it's still a thousand dollars.

I think you know what metaphor I'm referring to?