The Local Church—The Body of Christ
The founder of the church was Jesus himself. The passage that most feel connects to the specific point when Jesus did this is Matthew 16:18-19. Jesus made the statement in response to Peter’s robust answer to Christ about who Jesus is (Matt. 16:15-16)
Mt 16:15 “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” 16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
Mt 16:17 Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven. 18 And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”
Jesus made it pretty clear that his church was built to last.
His church represents “his body.” Paul describes this well as he instructs the believers at Colosse about the supremacy of Jesus.
Col 1:15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. 17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy.
We are meant to be in community. It is not good for us to try to walk the Christian life alone. Jesus prayed prior to his death that we would be united.
Jn 17:20 “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21 that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.
When we meet together, Jesus promised to be with us. Next time we continue with that promise and other benefits from attending our local church.
Blessings,
Larry
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