Subscription Lists

There is a misconception, or perhaps a kind of misassumption, that has come to be an albatross clinging to efforts to preach the gospel and to evangelize in our world. The misconception has increased in proportion to the degree that churches have become more organized and increased in numbers. It accounts for much of the explosion in numbers in some church entities. It has always been there to a greater or lesser degree, but today it has become a critical issue. It is not self evident. It is one of those things called a "sleeper" However, it is time to awake to a subtle and a very great danger (Romans 13:11)!

Most Christians, using the word in a generic sense do not know what the church of Jesus Christ is!

This condition in the body of Christ is dangerous, and it will become more so as the times go by. What is the first thought that enters your mind when you hear or read the word "church"? When making reference to "church", should we call the church "it", "them", "they", or "us"? Most often perhaps church is meant as "it", meaning an organization, or, a place, or a building of some type. Then there is the "church universal", often referred to as "the Church" (with a capital C), meaning generally all those who call themselves "Christians" worldwide. By some of these references we mean a location, i.e. an address or general local where Christians congregate. At other times, the people themselves are referred to as "the church" or even "a church". Of course in all instances, names and titles, descriptive terms, etc. are generally used. Loosely speaking, there can be a "church" of two individual people (Matthew 18:20), upward. Among these organizations, groups and individuals, there are reportedly thousands of identifiable belief systems or codes, ad infinitum.

But what is the Church...?

There is a paradox extant in the world that defies rational thought or even description. It is real. It exists, and it is true. It is the enigma of unity in disunity - that is believed to not exist, mostly because it is basically unseen. If it were "seen" (realized), it would still be believed to not exist. Regardless, seen or unseen, believed or not believed, it is perhaps one of the greatest blessings that a loving God and Savior could bestow!

For centuries Christians have strived, agonized, fought unimaginable wars, entered into endless political plots, intrigues, and alliances ostensibly to bring about "unity". There has been from time to time a seeming limited success, more often than not only temporary or very tenuous at best. Most often, this "unity" has been imposed by force; sometimes by force of arms. It is basically the same today. There are mergers and assimilations of groups and organizations. At the same time, others are dividing, fragmenting, and beset by division over disagreements and differences of opinion about endless issues and lists of issues. Some are, even now, urging the creation of a monolithic "Church" (ostensibly, it is hoped by most that it will be "Christian"!). The dangers and threats involved in such are too enormous to be addressed here.

The strength of Christianity is and always has been in its decentralization. We often hear the complaint about "disorganized" Christianity, and more unity is needed to be more effective in the modern world. Actually, the opposite would be true. After the Day of Pentecost and Peter's great sermon which introduced the Christian era, persecution soon followed. Believers were scattered to the four winds. Undoubtedly, there were individuals, families, groups of friends, etc., fleeing in all directions. As they went, where ever they went, where they settled they told the "GOOD NEWS!" Jesus had come down from heaven to restore the hope of eternal life! They were disbursed, unorganized, BUT VERY EFFECTIVE. More often than not perhaps, many were drawn by the Father to Christ on a one-on-one relationship and witness!. Their enemies would have a much more difficult task trying to attack (in any organized way), a diffused and moving target than they would one huge conglomerate that could involve a huge hierarchy in order to facilitate such an organization.

All of this being as it may, let us ask the pivotal question again:

What IS the Church?

Is Christ divided? (1 Corinthians 1:13) The answer is of course, no...CHRIST is not divided. However, humans are - and always have been divided, especially it seems when it comes to "church". But unity is already there - IN CHRIST! But Christians are still IN the flesh! God is a realist. He has an overall providential plan. We are not the victims of circumstance, but the recipients of a Holy providence. He is working with what He has. And what He has is a world full of fallen creatures, who often do know "their left hand from their right" when it comes to God-things. The Apostle Paul came to understand this: "For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it. For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you" (1 Corinthians 11:18-19).

This principle has been directed by the Holy Spirit down through the ages. If it is true in one congregation, it is true in another. If it is true for several, it is true for many. If for many, it is also true for small and large organizations and entities. This is why we have so much watered down presentations of the gospel, and different "gospels" (2 Corinthians 11:4), prosperity gospels, politically correct gospels, shallow conversions, post-modern gospels, etc.

However in all of this - the groups, organizations, small or large, etc.- THESE ARE NOT THE CHURCH!

The "Church" is a SPIRITUAL ORGANISM!

It is invisible. It is "in Christ". It is the "body" of Christ. It cannot be seen by the human eye, either in the form of a group, a location, a building, an organization, or any other physical manifestation! (Romans 12:4-5) As long as we as Christians are in the flesh, we are in a way, a "shadow" of the true reality. Christians in the flesh are still in the flesh to complete their maturing unto their final change from flesh into spirit. We are in the flesh, and visible so that we can engage the visible - others - and preach the gospel to them. The "church" (visible humans) are to tell the world. God does the saving.

When we partake of communion we are warned to discern the Lord’s "body" (1 Corinthians 11:28-29). His body is now spirit. We are to discern that we now are members of His body. His body IS the Church! HE is invisible because He is spirit. We are IN the "Church" if we have Him living IN us! HIS BODY functions in many different contexts and formats. The Holy Spirit works within humans in all walks of life, as individuals, as two together agreed (Amos 3:3), as groups meeting in locations called "churches", in isolated places we shall never know of in this life (2 Chronicles 16:9)...worldwide, holy, led by the Holy Spirit, known and unknown. This is THE "Church"- functioning within conquered and surrendered hearts - invisible - whose names are written in heaven in the Lamb's "book of life" (Revelation 21:27) , known only to God (2 Timothy 2:19), the perfect unity in disunity (Hebrews 12:22-23). Do not trust what only seems to be...(Matthew 7:28)

With whom ever you meet for fellowship and worship, or if you are isolated and alone in the faith where ever you may be - are you a member of "the invisible Church"...?

Be sure - nothing else matters.

"For whoever lacks these qualities is blind, [spiritually] shortsighted, seeing only what is near to him, and has become oblivious [to the fact] that he was cleansed from his old sins. Because of this, brethren, be all the more solicitous and eager to make sure (to ratify, to strengthen, to make steadfast) your calling and election; for if you do this, you will never stumble or fall." - 2 Peter 1:9-10

.

"God's Words For US" from Cecelia Lester

Renew a Right Spirit