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The Church of God is not a man-made organization.
Jesus said, "I will build my Church." (Matt. 16:18). It is not
governed by man: "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is
given: and the government shall be upon His shoulder." (Isa. 9:6).
No man can open the door of the true Church. Christ is the doorway
into the Church (sheepfold). Jesus says, "I am the door of the
sheep" (saved people). (John 10:7). Jesus opened the door wide and
complete when He gave Himself a sacrifice, and it will stand wide
open to every soul until the judgment day. When He died on the
cross, He broke the seven seals and opened the book of life eternal
to every soul. (Rev. 5:5).
There are none in His Church except those whose names are written in
the book of life which is kept in heaven. (Rev. 21:27). It is
composed of all those who "have washed their robes and made them
white in the blood of the Lamb." (Rev. 7:14).
Part of the Church at this present time is on earth and part of it
is in heaven, for the Church constitutes the family of God. Paul
says, "For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord
Jesus Christ, Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is
named," Eph. 3:14-15. They take the Father's name because they are
born again by a spiritual birth and therefore they become the
children of God, and the family of God, the Church of God which is
"the pillar and ground of the truth." (I Tim. 3:15).
Man has nothing to do with the putting of members into this Church,
as the Church is the body of Christ, spiritually speaking. (Eph.
1:23). God sets the members in it as it pleases Him. (I Cor. 12:18).
Some ministers plant the seed of truth in the souls of men and some
water it, but it is God who giveth the increase. (I Cor. 3:6). The
minister that planteth and he that watereth are nothing more than
laborers together with God.
"Ye are God's building." Every really born again soul is a lively
stone in the great structure or building which is God's Church. (I
Pet. 2:5-6). The Church is built upon the foundation of the prophets
and apostles, Jesus Christ Himself being the Chief Corner Stone, and
He fitly frames us together as a holy temple of the Lord. We, the
Church or family of God become "an habitation of God through the
Spirit." (Eph. 2:19-22).
". . . Other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is
Jesus Christ." I Cor. 3:11. |
