THE CHURCH OF CHRIST

I am writing nothing about CHURCH's history nor am I trying to affirm a traditional religious parlance that the church means "the people". No! I am not.

I BEGIN

Matthew 16:18 (NLT) says "Now I say to you that you are Peter (which means ‘rock’), and upon this rock I will build MY CHURCH, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it"

Please note that there were churches (temples) during the time of Jesus. In fact, Jesus even preached in the temple as a teen and temples existed on earth before Christ appeared in the flesh. 

So, what CHURCH was Christ wanting to build while he was talking to His disciples as there were many temples already?

Also, Christ wasn't saying that he would build HIS CHURCH on Peter (the rock). It was a figurative expression explaining understandably how strong HIS CHURCH will stand.

So, what CHURCH was Christ talking about since I wrote that it's not literally "the people" nor "the temple?"

Before I continue, please bear in mind that this isn't a "REVELATION CLASS" (as in, REVs as we call it) but a discussion about the "gospel of Christ". 

Now, let's continue. 

Christ was set to reveal something to His disciples when He got to the region of Caesarea in Philippi and he asked them in Matthew 16:13 (NLT)  saying "who do people say that the Son of Man is?”

They replied in (verse 14) saying Elijah, John the Baptist, Jeremiah. In verse 15, Christ asked the disciples who they thought He was and Simon Peter answered in (verse 16) saying “you are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”

Jesus replied (verse 17) saying , “You are blessed, Simon son of John, because my Father in heaven has revealed this to you. You did not learn this from any human being. 

It is discovered that the verses quoted above led to our main Bible passage (Matthew 16:18, NLT) after Christ spoke to Peter.  That is,  "Now I say to you that you are Peter (which means ‘rock’), and upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it" 

MY POINT:

Christ needed to introduce HIS CHURCH to his disciples but first made them see what had to be existent  (THE REVELATION OF HIMSELF) before He moved into explaining what His church really is. 

It means the first step to revealing THE CHURCH is the "revelation of Christ and on HIM is the church built. Therefore, there isn't "CHURCH" if Christ isn't revealed. 

So,  what's THE CHURCH? 

In my definition, THE CHURCH is an institution established by GOD to ensure consummate operation of His WILL. In other words, "THE CHURCH” is the KINGDOM OF GOD where the revealed Christ governs IN God's WILL. 

Let's go back to our Bible passage i.e Matthew 16:18(NLT), it says, "Now I say to you that you are Peter (which means ‘rock’), and upon this rock, I will build MY CHURCH, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it".

From the above verse, it is seen that Christ was NOT literally talking about A BUILDING but rather talking about a formidable institution where the powers of hell will not conquer, and the institution will be built on THE ROCK (Not Peter, but Christ). 

1Corinthians 10:4 (NLT)  says  "and all of them drank the same spiritual water. For they drank from the spiritual rock that traveled with them, and that "ROCK was CHRIST". This is a scripture showing that He wasn't talking about Peter.

MY POINT:

When Christ was talking about HIS CHURCH, He was talking about a kingdom built upon HIMSELF (the only foundation where the gate of hell will not prevail). No wonder 1Corinthians 3:11 (NLT)  says "For no one can lay any foundation other than the one we already have—Jesus Christ".

You might want to ask this question, "If THE CHURCH isn't the building, why isn't it also the people?" 

In my definition "The people (in relation to the church) are those that receive the revealed Christ to manifest the operations of God's kingdom on earth"

The manifestation of God's kingdom on earth by the people is "the manifestation of HIS (God's) will.  This further explains why Christ said in verse 19 of our main text (i.e Matthew 16, NLT) that:  "and I will give you the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven. Whatever you forbid on earth will be forbidden in heaven, and whatever you permit on earth will be permitted in heaven.”

So, THE CHURCH is to sync the operations of heaven with the operation of the earth through those who have accepted the revealed Christ. Now, you can understand the intent of Christ in Matthew 6:9-10 (NLT) when he said: "Pray like this, Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy. May your Kingdom come soon. May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.

Since we know what the Church of Christ is,  does it mean that we should stop calling our churches 'church'?  No, it doesn't stop us since they are founded to reveal Christ. 

Why this topic (THE CHURCH) then? 

"To raise a consciousness in the minds of the body of Christ (the people) to flee any church (irrespective of the denomination) that isn't revealing Christ and His kingdom where God's will is supreme"

For example 

Jerome says: Oh, I love that brother! Why? 

Whenever he holds the mic to preach I get business inspiration and my brain starts working at its peak. In fact, believers' gatherings are always filled with great ecstasy because the brother is WORDED.

Emmanuela responds: Are you sure? 

Jerome answers: Yes, of course. In fact, Mr. Fred has also gotten a new car and one of his sons has also taken after him from his wealth of experience in business. 

Thanks to pastor Shepherd for his knowledge gained from the London Business School. 

Emmanuela responds: Wow! That your pastor must have been well grounded. It's high time I changed church so that my life can start getting its rhythm too. 

Jerome says: Yes o!  You better change church. In fact, come to my church next week because we'll be bringing ERIN to perform comics, BLAZERS for dance and THE CREST for relationship talks...no dull moment!

Emmanuela responds: Mehn! So, it's a full package next week. You have won a soul already. 

MY POINT:

Hmm! it isn't bad to get enraptured in believers' gatherings or get business tips. No, it isn't bad at all!

BUT, 

I've got this to say according to Pastor Seyi Osanyinbi:

"a word isn't a word until it is quickened by the HolyGhost...it is mere letter that killeth because it is directed by the principle called LUST"

The word you think you hear that lifts your heart and channels your thought towards the direction of the world is of the flesh. 

"The essence of every teaching is to reveal Christ and the operation of His kingdom and HIS will".

You can see what churches are turning into; they are now turning into a mere social gathering where humans' philosophies preponderate the teachings of Christ, where competition for material success is prevalent, where classes are displayed for intimidation, where the activities of a club house are displayed, where goods are sold for soulish relishes, where Grace is deliberately misinterpreted for personal aggrandizement, where laziness is encouraged (forgetting that faith without work is dead) and where the worth of life is measured by material achievement. 

Hmm... 

Christ's church is mainly to reveal the operation of God's kingdom and His will. 

So, "Be mindful of what you're taught" in any gathering called church. If it is only activating your flesh's consciousness. PLEASE RUN AWAY!

May our sight be strengthened to see in Jesus' name (Amen).

I LOVE JESUS!!!