Christ built one church.
- “There is one body.” (Ephesians 4:4)
- The body is the church. (Ephesians 1:22-23) “And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, 23 Which is His body.”
- Therefore, there is one church.
Some claim that the church was started by John the Baptist. But this cannot be. If started before Christ’s death, it would be a church without a head (Ephesians 1:22). It would be a church that was not blood purchased (Acts 20:28). It would be a church in which Christ could not be preached (Matthew 16:20; Luke 24:49). It would be a church without a foundation (1 Corinthians 3:11).
The time, place and who of religious bodies will lead one to the right church.
| Time | Place | Who | What |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1530 | Germany | Luther | Lutheran |
| 1534 | England | Henry VIII | Episcopal |
| 1535 | Switzerland | Calvin | Presbyterian |
| 1607 | England | Smythe | Baptist |
| 1739 | England | Wesley | Methodist |
| 1830 | New York | Smith | Mormon |
| 1914 | Arkansas | Group | Assembly of God |
| 30-33 | Jerusalem | Jesus | Christ’s church |
Which of the above fits Bible facts?
- Time:
- Last days (Isaiah 2:2-3)
- Days of Roman rule (Daniel 2:44)
- AD 30-33 (Acts 2:17-47)
- Place: Jerusalem (Isaiah 2:2-3; Acts 2:5)
- Who: Jesus (Matthew 16:13-19; Acts 20:38; 1 Corinthians 3:11)
- What: Christ’s church (Acts 2:28;1 Timothy 3:15).
Was the Benchley church started on Pentecost in Jerusalem? No, but the teaching and practice of this church were. The local Mormon church was not started in 1830 in New York, but its teaching and practice were. In order to be a Mormon church, a local church must conform to the teachings of the Mormon Church. Just so, to be a church of Christ a local church must conform to the teaching that started on Pentecost, in Jerusalem, by Christ.
Jesus saves the church (Ephesians 5:23). It took centuries in the Old Testament times to unfold it. It took the Son of God to build it. It took the apostles to lay the foundation. It takes obedience to their teaching to build on the foundation, i.e. on Christ.
Jesus promised to build His church (Matthew 16:16-18). He purchased His church with His blood (Acts 20:28). He saves the church (Ephesians 5:23). Why would anyone want to be a member of a church that was started at the wrong time, the wrong place and by the wrong man?
Jesse Jenkins