And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. (Matthew 16:18)
Sadly, a lot of folks don’t believe in the Church. They feel it is not essential or that it’s a man made idea rather than accepting the facts of the Bible. We believe in the Church because we believe the Bible and understand that the Church was always in the mind of God (Eph 1:9-11).
I believe in the Church because it was prophesied in Daniel 2:44 and here we read it would be a kingdom that would never be destroyed. Christ also proclaimed that it was not an earthly kingdom (John 18:36). God most definitely always intended a Spiritual Kingdom that would be set up by his Son and we know, as true believers, that we are a part of it today (2 Pet 1:11).
I believe in the Church because of what it costs. In Acts 20:28, we read it was purchased with his own blood. Christ endured the Roman scourging, a meticulous and horrible beating to say the least. Also, often forgotten, is just how difficult his life was daily. Luke 9:58 says, “And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head”. Calvary was not the only hardship in Christ’s life.
I believe in the Church because of what is provided. A family of believers, by their mere presence in our lives, encourages us (Heb. 10:25-27), offers us understanding (2 Pet. 1:1), and even guidance and correction (Gal 6:1). Things we all need from time to time.
I believe in the Church because of where it is going. As humans we obsess about the future. Scripture makes it clear that one day, the Church, the faithful children of God, will be those who inhabit Heaven (1 Cor 15:24, 1 Thess. 4:16-18).
By Jason Barger