* *Jesus said, “I will build MY church” (Matthew 16:18). If Jesus built His church, why should anyone belong to a church founded by someone else?* *
In this episode of the * *Biblical Christianity Podcast* *, we examine Jesus Christ as the * *builder, founder, owner, head, and Savior of the New Testament church* *.
The Bible describes Christ as a Son over “his own house” (Hebrews 3:6), the “chief corner stone” (Ephesians 2:20), the One who purchased the church with His own blood (Acts 20:28), and the Savior of His body (Ephesians 5:23). Even Old Testament prophecy pointed forward to Christ as the One who would build God's house and reign over His kingdom.
But this raises an important question: * *What about the hundreds of religious bodies founded by men centuries after the New Testament church was established?* *
This study examines denominationalism, religious division, human creeds, traditions, confessions of faith, and the biblical plea to return to simple New Testament Christianity. When we speak of the “church of Christ,” we are not arguing for one denomination among many. “Of Christ” identifies * *ownership* *. The church belongs to Christ because He built it, purchased it, rules it, and saves it.
Jesus prayed that His followers would be one (John 17:20-21). Paul commanded Christians to have no divisions among them (1 Corinthians 1:10). The solution to religious division is not another denomination—it is returning to the Word of God.
Ask yourself:
• Who founded the church I attend?
• When was it established?
• Can its name be found in Scripture?
• Is its plan of salvation found in the New Testament?
• Is its worship authorized by Scripture?
• Is its organization the same as the New Testament church?
• Does it follow apostolic doctrine or human tradition?
We invite you to do what the Bereans did in Acts 17:11: * *search the Scriptures* * and determine whether these things are so.
Put down human creeds, disciplines, catechisms, confessions, and traditions, and open the New Testament. Let us simply be what Christ intended us to be—* *New Testament Christians belonging to the church that Jesus built.* *
* *Key Scriptures:* * Matthew 16:18; Hebrews 3:4-6; Ephesians 2:19-22; Ephesians 3:11; Zechariah 6:12-13; 2 Samuel 7:12-13; Acts 2:42, 47; Acts 20:28-32; 1 Corinthians 1:10; John 17:20-21; Romans 16:16-18; Galatians 1:8-9; Romans 10:1-3; Acts 17:11; Ephesians 5:23.
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