How Many Churches Belong to Jesus?
Would you believe what the Bible says?
Jesus said He would build His church.
He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" Simon Peter answered and said, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." Jesus answered and said to him, "Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. (Matthew 16:15-18)
From this passage, we learn a few things:
There is a church that belongs to Jesus.
Jesus promised to build His church.
Jesus built His church on His mission (Christ or Savior) and authority (Son of the living God).
Jesus kept His promise and built His church. Three thousand people repented and were baptized after hearing Peter preach the Gospel of Jesus (Acts 2:38-41). The Lord added these people to the church (Acts 2:47).
Which church? The only one that existed - the one that belonged to and was built by Jesus.
Jesus is the head of His church (Ephesians 1:22). His church is His body (Ephesians 1:23).
Jesus has only one body - like a normal person.
There is one body… (Ephesians 4:4)
Since Jesus has only one body, and His body is His church - how many churches belong to Jesus?
Only one.
By church, the Bible doesn’t mean the building. The church is the people - Christians (Acts 11:26).
So then, we could say that Jesus has only one nation or group of people - Christians.
But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;Â who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy. (1 Peter 2:9-10)
Jesus and His apostles taught there is only one church that belongs to Jesus. Will we believe them?