-
The Church Jesus Built
Charles A. Pledge
Jesus promised the apostles that he would build his church. (Matt. 16:18.) This promise was made long after the death of Abraham, Moses, David and even a few months after the death of John the immerser. Therefore, none of these men built the church nor was it built in their day. The church that Jesus built can be identified or it would be meaningless to men today. If men were unable to see it and distinguish it from the institutions of men we would be no better off for its having been built. Built by the divine pattern of God, the church Jesus paid for with his blood stands out in the midst of religious confusion today in its particular points of identity: worship; doctrine; work; organization, and designations commonly called names. Any time human wisdom is substituted for divine wisdom in any area or point of identity, the church is corrupted and denominationalized, thereby losing its divine identity. Jesus declared: "Every plant which my heavenly Father planted not, shall be rooted up." (Matt. 15:13.) The psalmist declared: "Except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it: except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain." (Psalm 127:1.) Every religious order other than that one which is built according to God's pattern and is identifiable by his word has been established in vain and regardless of the care, wisdom and power put forth in the building of it, destruction is its end.
Men everywhere should want to be a part of this blood-bought institution for in it and it alone God is glorified through Christ. (Eph. 3:21.) Men should want to do God's will in becoming a member for in this way alone can we please God. (Matt. 7:21-27; Rev. 22:14.) Men should be content in doing God's will knowing that God will add to the church (Acts 2:47) and that as men obey the Lord, God takes care of these things.
Men should tremble at the thought of bringing corruption or dishonor of any sort into the kingdom knowing that at the last great day the angels shall gather out of the kingdom all who offend or commit iniquity. (Matt. 13:14.) Our lives should reflect the purity with which we are clothed in our justification by the blood which redeems us. (Eph. 5:27; Rom. 6:2-7.)
The church should be the first consideration in our lives (Matt. 6:33), coming even before family, friends and work. It should be the object of our highest esteem and affections and in all our prayers should be mentioned to God. Our gratitude for its presence and blessings, especially in our individual lives, should overwhelm our emotions and make us act accordingly in harmony with our Father's will. It is in the church of Christ that we can all be one before God with no social, class, race, economic, or other distinctions separating us as is commonly found among men. (Gal. 3:28.) Although God places certain qualifications upon each work and those who would engage in such work must meet those qualifications to please God (such as evangelists, elders, deacons, etc.) there is no discrimination on the part of God in the matter of justification (Acts 10:33, 34) or in the matter of Christian living and service (Gal. 3:28). Because young, unmarried men are not allowed to serve as elders does not mean discrimination any more than not allowing women to usurp authority over men indicates discrimination.
The church Jesus built is precious in God's sight and each member of it an important object of God's love. (John 3:16.) If you are not in this church there is a very simple, easy path that leads you through the door God has opened faith, repentance, confession that Jesus is the Son of God and baptism into Christ for the remission of sins and God will add you to the church; enroll you in the Lamb's book of life. (John 8:24; Luke 13:3, 5; Acts 8:37; Rom. 10:10; Acts 2:38; Acts 2:47; Heb. 12:23.) Live a life of faith and enjoy heaven eternally. (Matt. 25:46.)