The Real Church

Who is the real Church? On what basis was it founded? Many religious groups claim that they-and they alone-are the one, true Church. Upon whose authority is the true Church founded? Who's right? Finally, once the Church's true identity is established, what are its responsibilities to a lost and dying world, in desperate need of answers? By what means will life's answers be shown and given to those who are in need-spiritually, physically, financially and materially? The Bible-the only Book God ever authored-gives us the answer in Matthew 16:13-20. When Peter was asked by Jesus who he believed Jesus to be, Peter responded, "You are the Christ, the son of the living God". Jesus then told Peter that His Church would be built upon this rock (confession). God built His Church on Jesus Christ-no one or nothing else. On Jesus Christ, the living Word. And on no other person or thing.

As the Church, the Body of Christ, we represent Jesus to a lost and dying world. We are the hands and feet which God, by Jesus the Head, uses to bring salvation (including healing and deliverance) to those without Christ. Mark 16:17-18 says that we (believers-the Church) are to lay hands on the sick and they (the sick) shall recover. God supplies the healing; we supply the hands, as well as the willingness to lay hands on the sick. God is the Healer; we are the "hands" God operates through.

God has all the power, whereas the Church, the Body of Christ, has all of the authority. God can’t do anything in the earth apart from us, His Body. Jesus gave us-His Church- His authority, about 2,000 years ago. When the Church, gives God permission to work His plan in this earth, things happen.

Remember that God needs us, His church, as much as we need Him. What can God do in the earth apart from his Body.? And what can we, the Body of Christ, do apart from God’s power? Nothing, in both cases. God and we are a team, working out His plans for His purposes throughout the earth.

To Him be all the Glory.

© Hubert Gardner Ministries 2013-2024