The Church

Greetings
What is the church, we hear mentioned, so often? Many refer to it as, that specific building where religious people gather. That there are all different kinds of churches. Sadly, in one sense, they are correct. I hope to bring to you a point of view, quite different from that of the world's. The church is not an organization, but an organism. It lives and breathes, works and serves and exists with but one identity, for there is only one church. This church, is the body of Christ. It has no gender or nationality, not gentile nor Greek. The body has many members, as do our own physical bodies. All believers, being born again are members of the church body. Get your bible out and follow, to confirm what is about to be spoken, in this writing. Ephesians 3:1-12, amplified version
For this reason, because I preached that you are thus lifted up together, I Paul, am the prisoner of Jesus, the Christ, for the sake and on behalf of you gentiles- Assuming that you have heard of the stewardship of God's grace, (His unmerited favor) that was entrusted to me, to dispense to you, for your benefit, And that the mystery, (secret), was made known to me and I was allowed to comprehend it by direst revelation, as I already briefly wrote you. When you read this, you can understand my insight into the mystery of Christ. This mystery was never disclosed to human beings, in past generations as it has now been revealed to His holy apostles and prophets, by the Holy Spirit. It is this; that the gentiles are now to be fellow heirs with the Jews, members of the same body and joint partakers in the same divine promise, in Christ, through their acceptance of the Gospel. Of this Gospel, I was made a minister according to the gift of God's free grace, which was bestowed on me by the exercise of His power. To me, though I am the very least of the saints, this grace was granted and graciously entrusted, to proclaim to the gentiles the unending riches of Christ, Also to enlighten all men and make plain to them what is the plan ( regarding the Gentiles and providing for the salvation of all men) of the mystery kept hidden through the ages and concealed, until now, in the mind of God Who created all things by Christ Jesus. The purpose is, that through the church, the complicated, many sided, wisdom of God, in all it's infinite variety and innumerable aspects, might now, be made known to the angelic rulers and authorities, (principalities and powers) in the heavenly sphere. This, in accordance, with the terms of the eternal and timeless purpose, which He has realized and carried into effect, in the person of, Jesus Christ our Lord, in Whom, because of our faith, in Him, we dare to have the boldness of free access ( an unreserved approach to God with freedom and without fear).
Only in the church can an Holy brotherhood be found. In Christ (church), all race - all class - all gender - all distinctions, simply disappear.
There is no mention of the church, in the Old Testament. It was not only, unknown by man, but God's prophets, as well. The church was first identified by Jesus. He referred to this as, future of His day. Matthew 16:18 Paul, not only, tells us the church is a mystery, (that is where some choose to leave it), but he tells us of it's character, this all having been revealed to him, for this purpose (our telling). Prophecies and promises, of the Old Testament do not apply to the church in this identity. These were for Israel and Judah, only. Although, we may apply some of these, in other identities, such as, the seed of Abraham, for example, they are not for the church, in the identity, Jesus told of and Paul teaches.
The church started at Pentecost and shall be completed at the return of Jesus. (Some call this, the second coming, yet He has already come to us more than twice, so I use another reference). The church (bride of Christ) is made up of those that believe and are saved, in that time. The righteous dead, in Christ, of the Old Testament, are friends of the Bridegroom, not part of the bride. The church of new born is from His finished work to now and until His return. This is the body of Christ and is to become His bride. This group (our identity) is being gathered out, by the Holy Spirit, from all mankind, until the fullness of this age is come. Romans 11:1-25 more references to church; Ephesians 1:22-23, 1Cor 12:12-13, also verse 27, Romans 12:5
Neither can the church die, as the body of Christ! Revelation 1:18 The church is alive, for ever more. Jesus, not only, gave His life for the church, but gave life to the church. Read Col 3:4.
Listen.... The only way, Christ, who is the Head and is in Glory, may manifest Himself, to the world, is through His body- The Church. Let me say it this way, The only provision for the world to see Jesus, today, is through Christian believers (the church). Paul states this to the Philippians, in chapter 1 verse 21, of that letter.
Are we perfect? Since Jesus is the Head and the Church is the body, together, the two as one, us in Him and He in us,make up the perfect man. It is inconceivable that a perfect head could be attached to an imperfect body. Sanctified, set apart, we are. Those that choose and are chosen.
Let's read along some more in Ephesians, chapter 4:8-14
Therefore it is said, When He ascended on high, He led captive (He led a train of vanquished foes) and He bestowed gifts, on men. (Ps. 68-18) But He ascended? Now what can this, "He ascended", mean but that He had previously descended from the heights of heaven into the depths of the lower parts of the earth(hell, my added interpretation)? He who descended is the very same as He Who also has ascended, high above all the heavens, that He, (His presence), might fill ALL things (the whole universe, from the lowest to the highest), And His gifts were varied; He, Himself, appointed and gave men to us, some to be apostles (special messengers), some prophets (inspired preachers and expounders), some evangelists ( preachers of the Gospel, traveling missionaries), some pastors ( shepherds of His flock), and teachers. His intention was the perfecting and full equipping of the saints (His consecrated people), that they should do the work of ministering, toward building up Christ's body (the church), That it might develop until we all attain oneness, in the faith and in the comprehension of the full and accurate knowledge of the Son of God, that we might arrive at really mature manhood (the completeness of personality which is nothing less than the standard height of Christ's own perfection), the measure of the stature of the fullness of the Christ and the completeness, found in Him. So then, WE MAY NO LONGER BE CHILDREN......

I trust that you may have had an exposure to one of your intended identities, in this study. I pray the Holy Spirit give you understanding and motivation, from this. The church is not a building, but people. People that have accepted Him, Lord Jesus. So then, we need not wait til we get within the confines of any certain building. We can have church, daily. Jesus said, where two or more are gathered, in my name, there I will be with them. Sounds like church! Amen
Be there (at church), every time the door is open, that not just on Sundays and Wednesdays, at a certain address, but every time you are gathered, in His name. Let Him be seen, in you, because He does live, in you. Remember it is all up to you. God is not willing, (by His Word), to do a great work in those that don't work. Never cease doing good!
Love you


GW