See! It Is The Church!

What did Jesus Christ come down from heaven to found? Was it the Bible?
Or was it a teaching Church?

Jesus Christ founded a teaching Church:

"And he went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and preaching the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every infirmity among the people."
Matthew 4:23

"Whoever then relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but he who does them and teaches them shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven."
Matthew 5:19

"And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every disease and every infirmity."
Matthew 9:35

"And when Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in their cities."
Matthew 11:1

"And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the powers of death shall not prevail against it."
Matthew 16:18

"And when he entered the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came up to him as he was teaching, and said, “By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?"
Matthew 21:23

And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age.”
Matthew 28:18-20

"Again he began to teach beside the sea. And a very large crowd gathered about him, so that he got into a boat and sat in it on the sea; and the whole crowd was beside the sea on the land."
Mark 4:1

"And on the sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue; and many who heard him were astonished, saying, Where did this man get all this? What is the wisdom given to him?"
Mark 6:2

"And he marveled because of their unbelief. And he went about among the villages teaching."
Mark 6:6

"As he went ashore he saw a great throng, and he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things."
Mark 6:34

And he said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to the whole creation."
Mark 16:15

"And he called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to preach the kingdom of God and to heal. And he said to them, "Take nothing for your journey, no staff, nor bag, nor bread, nor money; and do not have two tunics. And whatever house you enter, stay there, and from there depart. And wherever they do not receive you, when you leave that town shake off the dust from your feet as a testimony against them." And they departed and went through the villages, preaching the gospel and healing everywhere."
Luke 9:1-6. See also Luke 10:1-12

"He who hears you hears me, and he who rejects you rejects me, and he who rejects me rejects him who sent me."
Luke 10:16. See also Luke 24:45-47

"And every day in the temple and at home they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ."
Acts 5:42

"But Paul and Barnabas remained in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also."
Acts 15:35

"And he stayed a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them."
Acts 18:11

"And he lived there a whole two years at his own expense , and welcomed all who came to him, preaching the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ quite openly and unhindered."
Acts 28:31

"But how are men to call upon him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without a preacher? And how can men preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach good news!" But they have not all obeyed the gospel; for Isaiah says, "Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?" So faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes by the teaching of Christ. But I ask, have they not heard? Indeed they have; for "Their voice has gone out to all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world."
Romans 10:14-18

"Therefore I sent to you Timothy, my beloved and faithful child in the Lord, to remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach them everywhere in every church."
1Corinthians 4:17

"Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, then healers, helpers, administrators, speakers in various kinds of tongues."
1Corinthians 12:27-28
Notice that teachers are third most important, and are right behind Apostles and prophets in the plan of GOD. I do not see Bible writers mentioned here, do you?

"So with yourselves; since you are eager for manifestations of the Spirit, strive to excel in building up the church."
1Corinthians 14:12

"Are we beginning to commend ourselves again? Or do we need, as some do, letters of recommendation to you, or from you? You yourselves are our letter of recommendation, written on your hearts, to be known and read by all men; and you show that you are a letter from Christ delivered by us, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts."
2Corinthians 3:1-3

"To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to make all men see what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things; that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places."
Ephesians 3:8-10

"What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, do; and the God of peace will be with you."
Philippians 4:9

"Him we proclaim, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man mature in Christ."
Colossians 1:28

"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teach and admonish one another in all wisdom, and sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs with thankfulness in your hearts to God."
Colossians 3:16

"So then, brethren, stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught by us, either by word of mouth or by letter."
2Thessalonians 2:15

"Command and teach these things."
1Timothy 4:11

"Take heed to yourself and to your teaching; hold to that, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers."
1Timothy 4:16

"Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching;"
1Timothy 5:17

"Teach and urge these duties. If any one teaches otherwise and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching which accords with godliness, he is puffed up with conceit, he knows nothing; he has a morbid craving for controversy and for disputes about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, base suspicions, and wrangling among men who are depraved in mind and bereft of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain. There is great gain in godliness with contentment;..."
1Timothy 6:2-6

"Hold to the form of sound teaching which you have heard from me, in the faith and love which are in Christ Jesus."
2Timothy 1:13

"You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus, and what you have heard from me before many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also."
2Timothy 2:1-2

"For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own likings, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander into myths. As for you, always be steady, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry."
2Timothy 4:3-5

"I write this to you about those who would deceive you; but the anointing which you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that any one should teach you; as his anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie, just as it has taught you, abide in him."
1John 2:26-27

"We are of God. Whoever knows God listens to us, and he who is not of God does not listen to us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error."
1John 4:6

"Though I have much to write to you, I would rather not use paper and ink, but I hope to come to see you and talk with you face to face, so that our joy may be complete."
2John 1:12. See also 3John 1:13 which says about the same.

See also Acts 16:4, 28:23-29, 1Cor 12:28, Eph 4:11

Where in Scripture did Jesus Christ command for anyone to write a Gospel?
See, Jesus Christ first founded a teaching Church, and that Church in turn provided the Bible.

See! It is a teaching Church that Jesus Christ founded!

Is it through the Bible, or through the Church that the Wisdom of GOD will be made known?

"Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God’s grace which was given me by the working of his power. To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to make all men see what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things; that through the Church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places."
Ephesians 3:7-10

"He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God."
Revelation 2:7
This verse must be discerned very carefully...
Elucidation:
1. What churches are the 'churches' mentioned in this verse?
They are the churches which Jesus Christ commanded His Apostles to found,
"...and you shall be witness for me in Jerusalem (local) and in Samaria (spreading out) and even to the very ends of the earth (covering the whole world)", Acts 1:8.
2. It is the Holy Spirit speaking to those Churches who guides them in all truth, and with one authority, and with all of them teaching the same thing.
"For the Holy Spirit and we have decided to lay no further burdens upon you but this indispensable one...", Acts 15:28.
3. In this verse did Jesus Christ say to read the Bible, or did He say to listen to the churches?
How does the Bible answer that question?
Scripture said a lot about listening to His Church, but is silent in regards to reading the New Testament.
4. Now, why would anyone repeat himself? He does so to drive home a very important message, that is why.
Now go to Revelation 2:11, 2:17, 2:29, 3:6, 3:13, and 3:22, and you will see the first sentence of Revelation 2:7 repeated six more times. Have you gotten the message by now?
5. What is the message of the second sentence in some of these verses? Go back to each verse and read the verses before them to put the whole message in context. There were certain improprieties being committed by individuals in many of the seven churches and the letters are meant to correct them. For those who listen to the churches and overcome, there are great rewards, such as eternal life. For those who refuse to hear the Church, scripture speaks of imprisonment by the devil, or Christ will come to fight against them, or some other punishments.

See! It is the Church!
Who receives the testimony of Jesus Christ?

"I Jesus have sent my angel to you with this testimony for the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, the bright morning star." Revelation 22:16

See! It is the Church!
What is the Pillar and Foundation of the Truth? Is it the Bible?
Then why does the Bible say it is the Church?

"I hope to come to you soon, but I am writing these instructions to you so that, if I am delayed, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the Church of the living God, the pillar and bulwark of the truth.
1Timothy 3:14-15

See! It is the Church!
What has the final authority? Is it the Bible?
Then why does the Bible say it is the Church?

"If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every word may be confirmed by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the Church; and if he refuses to listen even to the Church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector."
Matthew 18:15-17
Where else in this file did we see that we must listen to His Church?
Do you remember the seven churches of Revelation?

See! It is the Church!
Does Jesus Christ love His Church, or does He love the Bible?

"Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the Church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word;"
Ephesians 5:25-26

See! It is the Church!
What is the Body of Christ? Is it the Church or is it the Bible?

"He is the head of the body, the Church; he is the beginning, the first-born from the dead, that in everything he might be pre-eminent."
Colossians 1:18,24

See! It is the Church!
Did Jesus Christ die for the Bible, or did He die for His Church?

Didn't you see the answer to this question in the previous topic?
"...as Christ loved the Church and gave himself up for her,..."
Ephesians 5:25..again!

See! It is the Church!
What is "Holy and without blemish"? Is it the Church, or is it the Bible?

"...that he might present the Church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish."
Ephesians 5:27

See! It is the Church!
What does Christ love and cherish? Is it the Church, or is it the Bible?

"For no man ever hates his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, as Christ does the Church,..."
Ephesians 5:29

See! It is the Church!
Does Saint Paul speak regarding the Church or the Bible?

"This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the Church."
Ephesians 5:32

See! It is the Church!
What was prophesied in the Old Testament? Was it the Bible or was it the Church?

THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IS PREFIGURED, PREDICTED, AND PROPHESIED BY GOD, AND THE PROPHETS OF THE OLD TESTAMENT...

2Sam 7:12-13, "And when thy days shall be fulfilled, and thy shalt sleep with thy fathers, I will raise up thy seed after thee, which shall proceed out of thy bowels, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build a house to my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever."
These verses refer to the 'seed' of David, who is Jesus Christ. The 'house' is a place of worship. His Kingdom is the Everlasting Church.

1King 5:5, "Wherefore I propose to build a temple to the Lord my GOD, as the Lord spoke to David my father, saying: Thy Son whom I will set upon the throne in thy place, he shall build a house to My name."

Psa 127:1, "Unless the Lord build the house, they labor in vain who build it."
The Church which GOD founded is the only Church.

Tobit 13:10-23, many details about the Church of GOD are given, and also warnings are given to those who despise His Church.

Hosea 2:14-24, GOD spoke of His Church as His Spouse.

Isaiah 54:1-17, Christ's Church is the New Jerusalem, tossed with the tempest as Noah's Ark was. GOD will lay the foundation. No weapon formed against it will prosper (see Ephesians 5:23 for the reason why). Many other details of the Church are given here.

Isaiah 59:21, GOD promised perpetual orthodoxy for the Church which the promised Christ will found.

Isaiah 62:5, Jeremiah 7:34,16:9, Jesus Christ is the Bridegroom, and His Church is the Bride.

Jeremiah 23:1-8, a Messiah is promised who will shepherd His flock, and set up pastors over them who will feed them.

Micah 4:1-3, many people and nations will come to GOD's 'Mountain of the House of the Lord'.

Sorry, but I could not find a single verse of prophesy for the Bible.

See! It is the Church!
Of what, is Jesus Christ the Savior? Is it His Church, or is it the Bible?
Holy Scripture says:

"For the husband is the head of the wife,
as Christ is the head of the church his body, and is himself its Savior."
Ephesians 5:23
You wanted to know how the Catholic Church has survived almost 2000 years of persecution?
Well, I believe Ephesians 5:23 says it all, don't you?
Want another one? Okay!
"So now I say to you, keep away from these men and let them alone. For if this plan or work is of men, it will be overthrown; but if it is of GOD, you will not be able to overthrow it. Else perhaps you may find yourselves fighting even against GOD."
Acts 5:38-39

See! It is the Church!
Well, after an overwhelming plethora of evidence that It is the Church, what does the Bible say about itself?

It says it is "useful" for teaching.
2Timothy 3:16
Which it is,... most useful for teaching in the teaching Church which Jesus Christ founded.

See...! It is the Church, undeniably, overwhelmingly, in Biblical exegesis!

The defense rests!

©
Written by Bob Stanley, August 25, 2001
Updated June 2, 2003

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