- What is a biblical church? or what is the definition of the Church ?
- How do we become members of the Church of Jesus?
- Who is the founder of the Church ?
- What is the message of the Church ?
- Can we go to heaven without the Church ?
- Who trains and sends the ministers to the Church ?
[ As in the time of Jesus or the apostles, the identification of the True
Church of God has been a challenge. There were Pharisee's, Sadducee’s and
many big groups that many people believed falsely to be the place where they
could hear the pure word of God. But on the contrary, all those places where
qualified by the Lord as the places where the blind lead the blind.
In fact, there is a French saying: << It is easier to lie to strangers.>>
Many people have difficulty distinguishing the idea of the “identical
twins”. But, the difference is obvious to the family members. The same
situation is often faced when one visits great personalities such as
politicians or movie stars, who often have their doubles. But, even if the
President of the United States and his “double”, appear like the same drop
of water, dear brothers and sisters, dear friends, the difference between
the two is very easy to discern by his wife, his children and his immediate
entourage. So, only these individuals hold the keys to allow new comers into
the mystery.
The Lord, likewise, speaks about a similar phenomenon before His coming: the
“double” of His church will also be working to tempt newcomers to believe in
its’ false mystery. He says: < < For there shall arise false Christs, and
false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it
were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. > > Matthew 24:24.
But, glory be to God! The elect cannot be beguiled, because they are members
of the family of God. Ephesians 1: 4, then Ephesians 2:19-20 which we read:
< < Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow
citizens with the saints, and of the household of God. > >
Definition:
The word church comes from Greek, ekklčsia, that means: Assembly. Petit
Larousse dictionary defines it as a religious company founded by
Jesus-Christ. According to the biblical dictionary: The Church is the
totality of the people redeemed, since Pentecost, who form the body of
Christ. The Holy Scriptures define it as < < invited to leave > >.
The word was used for the first time in Exodus chapter 12 when Israelites
had to leave Egypt, Acts 7: 38.
In connection with Matthew 4: 8-9, Jean 18: 36 and other scriptures, we are
informed that the kingdoms and governments on this earth are still under the
authority of Satan: Each country has a specific spirit, each generation has
a specific spirit etc. For example; the spirit that the Devil has given to
our time is to strip the woman. A decently dressed woman does not receive
compliments, she is not encouraged by her entourage to respect her body,
consequently she ends up walking in the street with the clothes which were
worn, 50 years ago, by the insane ones and perverts. But, < < The invited to
leave > > will leave all these spirits of the world and receive the spirit
of God to serve Him in Spirit and Truth. John 4: 23-24. They are really
separated from the world, as it is written << And what concord hath
Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And
what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of
the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them;
and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.>> 2 Corinthians
6:15-16. Like any normal person, the members of the Church live in the
world, but spiritually they are not of the world, John 17: 14-16. The term
BROOD and the withdrawal of believers from their normal life is not a
biblical practice. It is not a matter of physical separation as it was in
Exodus, but of spirit. Believers are separated from the world by the word
they carry in them, Which is not mixed with any human thought. They are the
people regenerated by an incorruptible seed, by the alive and permanent Word
of God, 1 Peter 1: 23 They live in the world, but the spirit of the world is
not in them, 1 John 2: 15-17. ]
[ The Church is the mystical body of Jesus Christ, and not an organization of
men . Saint Paul writes << 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 To verse 13, he explains why a
Christian is that one who lives according to celestial spirit. A true
believer does not behave according the spirit of white, black, yellow,
American, Canadian etc < < For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one
body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have
been all made to drink into one Spirit. > > 1 Corinthians 12: 13. So,
the entrance into the Church of Jesus Christ is done by the reception of the
Spirit of God . This is really opposed to the signature of a so called “card
of member” because, the members of the true church are registered in heaven
<< But ye are come unto mount Zion, and unto the city of the living God,
the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, to the
general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven,
and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect
>> Hebrews 12:22-23. It is by the new birth that we enter in the Church. The
same way that we are born carnally to be member of our natural families,
also we must born from the spirit of God to belong to the family of God. One
joint not to the Church of living God – One must born in it. < < Jesus
answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be
born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Nicodemus saith unto him, How
can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his
mother's womb, and be born? Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee,
Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the
kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is
born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be
born again. > > John 3: 3-7, Romans 8: 7-9. Galatians 3: 26-29. .]
[ The Church is founded by Jesus Christ , Matthew 16: 18 < <... And Me, I
say to you that you are Peter, and that on this stone (Rock) I will build My
Church > >, and It was inaugurated in the year 34 AC, in Jerusalem. The
Lord Jesus Christ is the founder and supreme Authority, Ephesians 1: 22 < <
And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over
all things to the church, Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth
all in all. > > Colossians 1:17-18. As the spouse is supposed to submit
to her husband, likewise the Church is submitted to Christ who is her Head,
Ephesians 5: 22-33. That is why she cannot be rejected as it will be for
believers and the rulers of the church-doubles, (MT 7: 21-23). The parallel
between Christ and His Church is in Genesis 2:23: As Adam exclaimed for Eve
<< This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh >> likewise the Lord
will recognize His assembly < < word of His word, spirit of His spirit > >.
Saint Paul showing the parallelism between the bride of Adam, and that of
Jesus Christ, he says: < < For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy:
for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste
virgin to Christ. But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve
through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity
that is in Christ.> > 2 Corinthians 11: 2-3. It becomes obvious that the
Church is typified in the prophetic word by a woman, because she is the
recipient of the word (seed) of Her head, Christ. The one who does not
receive exclusively the seed of Her celestial husband is called prostitute,
Apocalypse 17: 15..]
[ The message of the Church has never changed; it is the Message of the
redemption, forgiveness and reconciliation with God. It always starts with
the calling of the repentance, conversion, water baptism, sanctification
until the baptism of the Holy Spirit. In the Acts of the Apostles, chapter
2: 38-39, the day of the inauguration, we read < < Pierre says to them:
Repent, and that each one of you is baptized in the name of Jesus Christ,
for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy
Spirit ? > >. This verse is a regulation or a form that each child of God
must fill out in order to enter the Church that is founded by Jesus-Christ.
This form should not know any change, under pretext of the country, of
generation or of race, because it was to be presented in the whole world,
and all the nations, Marc 16: 15-16. < < Then he says to them: Go in the
whole world and preach the good news with all creation. That which will
believe and which will be baptized will be saved, but that which will not
believe will be condemned . > > Luke 24: 47. My brothers and sisters,
dear Net surfers, the call of the repentance still resounds: Repent and
leave all practices and teachings that are not concord with the Holy Bible.
]
[ In John 14: 1-3, the Lord gives us a promise which is, up to now, not
realized yet. He says < < Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in
God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were
not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go
and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself;
that where I am, there ye may be also.> >. Saint Paul explains why this
promise relates only to those who are in Christ (death or alive). Other
believers that believed what seemed to them good, will resuscitate with the
second resurrection, and will appear to the judgment of the white throne,
Apocalypse 20: 11-15. While the group of Saint Peter, Paul and of all true
prophets and apostles sent of God, is taken in the first resurrection. The
promise of John 14: 1-3, will happen with The True Church and not with The
Modern Church or The Double . The fulfillment of the promise of Jesus to His
disciples will certainly happen as it is written in 1 Thessalonians 4:15-18
< < But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them
which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For
if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep
in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of
the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord
shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend
from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the
trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are
alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to
meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord > >. 1
Corinthians 15: 50-53. And Saint Peter, in 2 Peter 3: 3-10. The following
scripture will be fulfilled with the True Church (The Bride) : < <
Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the
second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ,
and shall reign with him a thousand years. > > Apocalypse 20: 6.
]
[ It can be seen that from Genesis 2: 15-16, Exodus 4: 15 to Jesus Christ; The
Lord Him self is the one who trains and sends His ministers. He says: < <
Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that receiveth whomsoever I send
receiveth me; and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me. > >
John 13: 20, John 20: 21, Mathieu 10: 40 etc. While the false Church will
persecute and stone the messengers of God, The true Church of Living God
will receive the ministers sent by God. < < Therefore also said the
wisdom of God, I will send them prophets and apostles, and some of them they
shall slay and persecute… > > Luke 11: 49. Even in our time, the Lord
has His messengers. Brother Williams Marrion Branham was a true man of God
sent to our generation. He stood for the Truth in each and every bible
teaching as Saint Paul did, and it is through His Ministry that we know and
understand these things. Brother Branham being taken to be with the Lord,
God has never marked a pause as some people dare say, but He appointed a
Teaching Ministry with brother Ewald-Frank who has been working for more
than 40 years in collaboration with brother Alexie Barilier and all other
true servants who have a sincere respect of the authentic Word of God, the
Bible. So, in His Church, God always has His messengers or apostles, His
prophets. < < And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some,
evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the
saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ
> > Ephesians 4:11-12. The true men of God are in continuous opposition and
without slackening against all that does not proceed from the Word of God.
As it was with king Ahab and Jezebel, 1 Kings 18, who trained prophets so
that they could foretell him his desires, 2 Chronicles 18: 12-13, thus it is
nowadays; there are organizations or universities which train pastors,
evangelists, even prophets so that they can preach their doctrines instead
of the doctrine of the apostles. But, as it was for Saul (Apostle Paul),
Acts 8: 1, Acts 9: 1-20, who was trained by the Pharisee teacher of the law,
Gamaliel, Acts 22: 3, got converted, also some men, trained by men’s system
end up receiving a divine call and leave the organizations to be able to
preach the only and eternal Gospel of Jesus Christ. The exit of Martin
Luther from catholic system with his 95 theses (1517) is one of the numerous
examples.
In the light of Holy Scriptures, any person of goodwill can realize that
what many call < < Church > > is not church in front of God and His word. If
we simply follow the model of those who were approved by God before us, we
will easily note that the true Church has precise identifications which do
not leave any uncertainty. The true Church is identified as: Church Bride of
Jesus Christ, the elect, Assembly of the First Born, Hebrew 12: 23 Whereas
the imitation or the double is identified as prostitute, because she takes
the seed of different teachers of the religious world, and not only the seed
of Christ that she claims to be bride too. She lives in infidelity toward
Christ.
So, ladies and gentlemen, in this very day, God places you in front of a
conscious choice: Between the truth (the true Church) and the lie (The
double of the church). In which church do wish you to belong? God blesses
you! < < Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of
this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time
is at hand. > > Revelation 1: 3.
Fellow worker with God. ]
|
|
