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QUESTION 13:
Did the Bible come from the Church or did the Church come from the Bible?

ANSWER:
Before answering this, I would like to first define what the Church is. It is not some organization, such as: Roman Catholic, Baptist, Lutheran, etc. The Bible does not mention any of these. They are inventions of men and not from the Word of God.

The Church is first mentioned in Matthew 16:18. Jesus said, "I will build my Church." He is the Builder and it is HIS Church. This is composed, not of wood or stone, but of people only. In 1 Corinthians 12:12-13, the Bible states the human body has many members yet it is but one body, and so is Christ. "For by one Spirit are we (believers) all baptized into that one body." So we, (believers) being many, are one body in Christ, and everyone members one of another. Romans 12:5. "There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;" Ephesians 4:4. The Bible never came through the Body (the church) but it came through certain chosen men called apostles and prophets. "Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;" Ephesians 3:5. The Church Christ is building is built upon the revelation God gave them. Read Ephesians 2:20. Let us not make the Church bigger than the Builder, and His Word.

Christ is building the church upon the foundation He laid through the apostles and the prophets. Let me ask you kindly; Dear reader, Do you belong to the true Church? There is only one. Ephesians 4:4. You can belong to all of the other ones, and still not be saved. You have to belong to Christ. You have to be born-again. John 3:7. Come to Him as a sinner and receive Him as your personal Saviour; Then you will be joined to the Body of Christ, the only true Church.

All comments and questions to: Harold Smith

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Updated July 2009, by Shelly Allen