JESUS' CHURCH . . . . . . .LISTEN & WATCH - or READ down below.
There are many churches around the world, each one claiming they are "the way". Jesus says in Matthew 24:5, "Many shall come in my name and shall deceive many."
In 95-AD we read in the book of Revelation about John being told, by Jesus, that the seven churches, which sprung up from his teachings, had fallen away. Today's "church structure" was established by councils of men; their doctrines developed by councils of men. (Creed of Nicea, Council of Nicea, Council of Constantinople, Council of Epheses, Council of Chaloedian, etc.) They rule through "fear & hate" from behind the mask of Peace & Love.
Most people think that a church is something to flock to on a Saturday or Sunday. They worship an unknown god, and believe what men in beautiful robes tell them. Although you may think that Jesus was referring to his Church as a building made by hands, he was not; he was referring to a group of righteous people.
We know from using a concordance that the word "church" only appears in the New Testament. However, what you may not know is that the New Testament was originally written in the Greek language (remember, Jesus spoke Aramaic) and that the English word "church" was translated from the Greek word "ekkiesia" which means "a calling out".
Jesus said in Mathew 16:18, "I will build my Church." He did not say churches, denominations, religions, isms, sects, etc., the word "church" is singular. But he did say, "Many shall come in my name and deceive many."
Then we have the controversy about the true Church being "built upon the rock". There have been many beliefs put forth as to the "rock" upon which Jesus founded or builds his Church. Some religions claim Peter is the "rock", while other religions say that Jesus is the "rock"; each side debating the Greek words "Petra" and "petros." However, they do greatly err by repeating the ways of the "chief priests and elders" by not reading the scriptures closely. Jesus plainly states in Matthew 21:42 that he is the "corner stone." What we should know by now is that he did not build his Church upon the uncertain shifting sands of religion.
Then Jesus said unto his disciples, "Upon this rock I will build my Church." Let us review the passages in Matthew 16:13-20 which have spawned this controversy, reading, "When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist, some Elias, Jeremias or one of the prophets. Jesus said unto them, Whom say ye that I am? And Simon (Peter) answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the Living God. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona, for flesh and blood hath not revealed this unto you, but my Father which is in heaven hath revealed this unto you."
Then Jesus said unto his disciples, "Upon this rock (the rock of revelation) I will build my Church." Jesus' Church is built upon the rock of revelation; revelations received from the Father which art in heaven. Jesus' revelations came from the Father which art in heaven (reading Matthew 11:27 and John 8:28), just as the disciples revelations came from the Father (reading Matthew 10:20), just as our revelations can and do come from the Father which art in heaven.
Yes, knowledge, understanding and wisdom comes from the Father by way of Revelation. The Father drops his knowledge into our mind, and like a light bulb being suddenly turned on, we have an understanding not previously known (Usually there are no voices, noises, pictures or images.)
What exists in the Mind of the Father is knowledge, understanding and wisdom, which can be revealed into our minds so that forgetfulness can be illuminated and we can remember who we are, where we came from and why we are here. Sounds incredible doesn't it? WE are called into remembrance of the fact that we have heard this gospel before, in Heaven, reading Colossians 1:5, "For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before the word of the truth of the gospel." You see, "there is nothing covered that shall not be REVEALED; nor hid, that shall not be known." (Matthew 10:26) The Father will reveal his truth, and we shall know the truth, and the truth shall set us free.
As we read in the New Testament, "How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery, which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed to him that is of power to establish us according to Jesus' gospel, according to the revelation of the mystery which was kept secret since the world began. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus." (Ephesians 3:3-5; Romans 16:25; Galatians 1:12)
The Church is made up of those who are called, and have chosen to wash there robes, and come out of the darkness of sin, and into the Life of Righteousness. Reading Jesus words in John 6:44, "No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him." And reading in Matthew 11:27, "No man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and to whomsoever the Son will REVEAL him."
The Church is made up of those who have been called and who have chosen to separate themselves from this present evil world by walking in the righteous way shown by Jesus. "He that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto Life eternal. If any man serve me, let him follow me, and where I am, there shall also my friend be; if any man serve me, him will the Father honour." (John 12:25-26)
Jesus was a man, a prophet; the greatest prophet to ever come down from Other Earth, and he says so in Matthew 13:57, reading, "A prophet is not without honour, save his own country, and his own house." However, this prophet is the corner stone of the Church, and the Apostles and Prophets are the foundation (Ephesians 2:20), the building blocks are "added daily", and it is built on the "rock of revelation". Reading Acts 2:47, "And the Lord added to the Church daily such as should be saved. The anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him." (1John 2:27)
And reading Matthew 7:13-14, we see that the true Church is very small, "few there be who find the way". That the true Church has nothing to do with charging money for the teachings, "freely ye have received, freely give".(Matthew 10:8) And the true Church does nothing in secret, reading John 7:4, "show thyself to the world."
The true Church is referred to as the household of God (Ephesians 2:19-22), as a spiritual building that grows in number with Jesus being the chief corner stone and the Apostles and Prophets being the foundation. "For by one Spirit (Mind) are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jew or Gentile, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink unto one Spirit." (1Corinthians 12:13) And reading 1Corinthians 1:10 we see that the members of the true Church all speak the same things, joined together in the same mind. There is only one Church (read 1Corinthians Chapter 12).
The true Church on earth is the individual, and group of individuals, of one purpose, of one body, of one mind, who follow and give freely the teachings of Jesus. To those who are ready to turn from sin, back to righteousness, they are added to the Church daily. You cannot simply join the true Church, but rather you are called, or not, based on your true motive.(John 6:44) You cannot join, buy or lie your way into the true Church of God. And the Church of God is not the name of the true Church, but rather what the Church is composed of, reading Acts 20:28, the flock; and we see that the Church of God is not a building made by hands, but a group of individuals, the building blocks of Jesus' Church. (1Corinthians 10:32; 11:22; 15:9; Galatians 1:13)
The mission of the true Church is to find the Lost Sheep, and the Other Sheep, those who have made themselves ready to return home to Life on Other Earth.
Read John Chapter 17 and understand why Jesus says in Matthew 11:25, "I thank thee, O Father, Lord of Heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent and hast REVEALED them unto babes" (the child-like).
And so, reading 2Thessalonians 2:1-12, "The day of Christ is at hand; the man of sin is revealed; the son of perdition is now revealed in his time, as the truth is brought forth and consumes the power of Satan, that no longer shall the people believe the lies and they shall come out of their unrighteousness: and God has revealed them unto us by his Mind." (1Corinthians 2:10)
CHRISTIAN
The term "Christian" is mentioned only three times in the entire Bible, and no where does Jesus use the word "Christian." Surely if Jesus and his followers were "Christians" they would have said so. As a matter of fact, if you read the three passages which contain the word "Christian", Acts 11:26; 26:28 and 1Peter 4:16, you will see that the word "Christian" is being used in a negative, contemptuous manner.
The word "Christian" does not appear in the gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. It only shows up as people started to persecute and ridicule the followers of Jesus.
If you were to perform a historical, factual analysis, you would find that the word "Christian" comes from the Latin word "Christianas" and was applied to the followers of Jesus (a negative label). The followers of Jesus would not have used or accepted a Latin title, nor did they call themselves Christians; "the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch". (Acts:11:26)
Paul sets it straight in 1Cor 15:9, that he did not persecute Christians, that he persecuted the Church of God. And again to the Galatians in 1:13, "I persecuted the Church of God, and wasted it."
However, just as all of us are known, they were known as The Children of The Living God: Followers of The Way.
FATHER