I
love the “Church”. Not just a building, because that isn’t biblically the
“Church”. Not a denomination or a sect, because that isn’t the biblical
“Church” either. I love what Christ called the church and was set up by the
apostles in the Book of Acts. I love the church explained by Paul in his
epistles, in James, the books of Peter and John. I love the true church, the
Bride of Christ.
The church Christ set up has no divisions,
no splits, no creeds no “popes” or those humans who we are to worship or call “Vicar”.
The church Christ set up calls for his followers to be servants. The more one
is gifted to preach, sing, administrate business, or any of the so called
“positions” one may attain, the more servant one should be.
Christ is the head of the
church, the groom to the bride. In the upper room before the Passover meal, in
John chapter 13 we see where Jesus washed the disciple’s feet. He was the head
of the church, the creator incarnate, taking on the role of the servant. He
stated that no student can be higher than his Master (or teacher). So if our
Savior tells us we can be no higher in status than He, we should be servants to
each other also.
The true church are those who have
submitted their life to following Jesus, to study and learn His examples, who
have repented of their sins and are daily taking up their cross. The true church
loves the head of the church, Jesus Christ and looks to keep manmade divisions
minimized, and stay true to the word of God. So is the Church of God a building,
a denomination or a people? Maybe you should reread John 3:16 for the answer.
