Astonished at the Church He Built

Jesus made a simple declaration that is very easy to understand, when He told His apostles, "I will build my Church". This Church is later described as the kingdom of God, the body of Christ, the household (or family) of God, the temple (or house) of God, and the bride of Christ. Those descriptions of that Church which Jesus built still astonish many people today, but every one of them is right there in the teachings of Jesus Christ!

Throughout history, people have treated others with unbelievable cruelty in the name of religion. They have often done so without feelings of remorse or guilt. Muslims and Christians have fought "holy wars" against one another, which have been anything but holy. And within their own ranks, so-called Christians have persecuted other Christians. Like Saul of Tarsus before he became Christ's apostle to the Gentiles, they think they are doing God a service when actually they are persecuting Jesus (Acts 9:1-19).

Atrocities committed in the name of religion, are enough reason to discourage people from believing in God. Saul, a powerful member of the Pharisees, thought he was pleasing God by persecuting Christians, but when he met Jesus, his perception changed. From then on, he peacefully sought to bring even his enemies to Christ. It is not Christ's way to force His will on us. Neither should we force our will on others. As we put God's ways into practice, we'll find we can love those with whom we disagree. That's the difference Jesus makes!

Jesus could have used His power and influence to promote His Church, but it a surprise to many today that He did not. Many people are astonished that Jesus built only one Church, but that is what He did. He built it and become the head of it - the Church, not head of many bodies! Jesus is married to one bride, not many! People, were not told to join the Church of their choice, but were added to the Church, as Jesus never gave a choice! And people are still astonished that only one Church exists by the authority of Jesus Christ. People are astonished at the price Jesus paid for His Church.

The apostle Paul told the Ephesian elders to feed the Church of the Lord, which He purchased with His own blood (Acts 20:28). The sad thing is that people will join Churches which were begun by men, existing only by man's authority, but were purchased with nothing. Jesus never asked people to join the Church, instead, when He saved a person, He added that person to the Church (Acts 2:47). The same Lord that built the Church saves people from their sins and adds them to His Church. The Church, by the definition of Scripture, is the SAVED. That still astonishes many people: those who are saved are in the Church which Jesus built, because He put them there! The Lord never put one into a denomination, but He adds the saved to His Church!

Vitus Ejiogu is a writer and publisher with the Fire-Brand Int"l Ministries, a media ministry that is based in Nigeria.

He is the editor of FOUNDATION SATELLITE magazine also published by the ministry. He pastors a Church in Bauchi and is married with two children.

You can reach him at: firebrandhq@yahoo.com or: 234 80 8181 829.

Website: http://www.palmgates.com or http://www.firebrandhq.com