What Is the Church?

Christ established a church, not a book. When one becomes so tied to the book, the book has become an idol, in effect being worshiped. If one refuses to listen to the church especially in matters that discern the book, one has become a follower of the book rather than Christ.

IRONY: And if you don’t agree with this, you are not really following the book! There are numerous scripture passages with in the Bible that instruct believers to listen to the church, follow the church, and that the church is the bulwark and foundation of all faith. It is an oxymoron to follow the book rather than the church. The problem in Protestantism is they don’t know exactly what the church is!

My friend Myra Key Recently posted an excellent list of verses talking about the church. And I will post those verses below. But here is something to think about.

Anyone who truly ponders each one of these verses has to ask himself: Exactly what is the Church? And who are these leaders we are supposed to submit to? We cannot say that the Church is some nebulous loosely tied group of denominations. If that’s the case, if you don’t like what one denomination is saying you can just go down the street to the next denomination to find one that agrees with you. And who are the leaders? If I have a problem with someone and I want to take the problem to the Church leaders, do I take it to his Baptist leaders? Or do I take it to my Catholic leaders? And will the Baptist listen to my Catholic leader? Or should I listen to the Baptist leader? This is why the Church was established under one earthly head ….and for 1500 years remained so. Here are the verses….
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The Scriptures speak of The One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church.

Matthew 16:18 – Jesus established and protects His Church.

Matthew 28:20 – Jesus promises to be with His Church always.

John 16:13 – The Holy Spirit guides the Church into all truth.

1 Timothy 3:15 – The Church is the pillar and foundation of truth.

Matthew 18:17-18 – If someone refuses to listen to the Church cast him out.

Matthew 28:18-20 – The Churches authority is Jesus’ authority.

1 John 4:6 – Anyone who knows God listens to the Church.

Luke 10:16 – He who rejects the Church rejects Christ.

Matthew 16:19 – The Church has power to legislate.

Acts 15:28 – Decisions of the Church are decisions of the Holy Spirit.

Acts 15:6-29 – Apostles and elders settle disputes authoritatively through councils.

Acts 16:4 – People are to observe the decisions of the Apostles and elders.

Acts 1:15-26 – The Apostles choose successors.

Titus 1:5 – Bishops appoint presbyters (priests).

1 Peter 5:5 – Be subject to the elders.

Hebrews 13:17 – “Obey your leaders and submit to them”.

Romans 16:17-18 – Avoid those who create dissensions.

1 Corinthians 1:10 – There must be no divisions among you.

John 10:16 – The Church must be one.

Ephesians 4:4-5 – There is one body, one Lord, one faith and one baptism.

Set up signs and mark the road (way) – Jeremiah 31:21.

The Way is the Church – Acts 24:14; 19:9.

The Church therefore can be found through its Four Marks.

The Church Is One Rom. 12:5, 1 Cor. 10:17, 12:13

Holy. Eph. 5:25–27, Rev. 19:7–8

Catholic Matt. 28:19–20, Rev. 5:9–10

Apostolic – “ You are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets” – Eph. 2:20.

…Catholicism – Founded by Jesus Christ, on Peter (Kephas Cephas ) – AD33.