INTRO: Unsaved blind to salvation
Saved blind to the church--1600 denominations
What is the church? "Church"--Gk.   "belonging to the Lord" not in Greek N.T.Bible
"Ecclesia"--called--out people (only people)
INTRO: Law of First Mention

• The Church in Purpose--in eternity
• The Church in Preview--the Gospels
• The Church in Practice--The Acts
• The Church in Pattern--1 Cor.-1 Tim
• The Church in Prophecy--Rev 2:--3:

Not stretching too much
   Read Eph 5:26...E-X-P-O-

Rebecah--Gen 24:--Father--Only   Son--Unnamed Servant--Bride--

2.  The Church in Preview
    First mentioned: as the body of   Christ Matt 16:18--
(a)-- THE BUILDER--Christ-"I will"
  Three "I will" of Christ
  1-  "I will"-Comforter--Jn 16:7 -- PAST
  2-  "I will"--Church--Matt 16:18 --  PRESENT--last 2000 years
  3.  "I will"--Come again--Jn.14:3 --  FUTURE  (He will be true of all)

  (b) -- THREE-FOLD GATHERING
  1--Gathered OUT Acts 15:14    Some use this wrongly  (true of the whole body)
  2--Gathered UNTO--Matt 18:20  (local body of believers)
  3--Gathered UP--2 Thes 2:1
HE BUILDS:--Heb 3:3-5
BY THE SPIRIT  1 Cor. 12:12,13
 Heb. 3:3-5

2--ONLY ONE CHURCH--sing. Eph 4:4
 Unity of--1 Cor 12:12,13

3--THE MATERIAL--Believers
 "The great confession" Matt   16:16

4--THE DURABILITY--"gates of hell"
 Two-fold--READ:  Lk. 11:21..
(1) Satan cannot hinder its   construction
(2) Satan cannot divide it Eph. 4:4  1 Cor 1:13--12:12,13