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NASB | Matthew 16:18 "I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Matthew 16:18 "And I say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades (death) will not overpower it [by preventing the resurrection of the Christ]. [Eph 1:22; 4:15; 5:23; Col 1:18] |
Bible Question:
Dear Lifer1J511, I agree that each of us, individually, is in Christ. We are each members of His body, the church. However, I was asking if we, corporately, are the 'built' church? Jesus said 2000 years ago that He would build His church, and I fail to see an organism, only many may cellular organizations, each with their own agenda. I desire to witness an organism, an entity that portrays the body of Christ. Are 'we' there, yet? In Jesus' name, charis |
Bible Answer: Study these verses, Acts 14:27, 1 Timothy 3:15, Ephesians 2:19-22, and 1 Peter 2:5. In Acts 14:27 it says they gathered the church together, in other words, the church is the believers. If the believers are the church then the organizations, the different faiths are none of them the church of Christ. And if only the true believers are the church, then 'No', we are not there yet. We will not be there until the coming of Christ when He brings His church to earth. And since no one but God knows the hour or day of His coming, we don't know when this will be. I am Baptist and my neighbor is Catholic - each of us are strong believers and so both are part of God's church. Your desire to witness the whole church may have to wait until His coming. |