Is the Church a mere building made of brick and mortar or is it something greater? How should Church be conducted?

The worldly definition of the Church is a building for public Christian worship. The world acknowledges and appoints only some to hold the authority to minister in the church. Who does the Bible acknowledge, appoint and say's has the authority to minister in the Church? How does the Bible define the Church?

These doctrines of Jesus have the true answer!

Jeremiah 22:13 “ Woe to him who builds his house by unrighteousness And his chambers by injustice…

Mark 13:1 …see what manner of stones and what buildings are here!”

Mark 13:2 (Jesus Said) …“…Not one stone shall be left upon another, that shall not be thrown down.”

Acts 17:24 God, who made the world and everything in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands.

Hebrews 9:11 ...Christ came as High Priest...with the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands, that is, not of this creation.

Acts 4:10-11 ... let it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead…This is the ‘stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone.’

1Corinthians 3:11-15 …let each one take heed how he builds on it. For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss

Amos 5:11 Therefore, because you tread down the poor And take grain taxes from him, Though you have built houses of hewn stone, Yet you shall not dwell in them; You have planted pleasant vineyards, But you shall not drink wine from them.

Hebrews 3:3-4 ...He who built the house has more honor than the house. For every house is built by someone, but He who built all things is God.

Don’t you Know…
Psalms 127:1 Unless the LORD builds the house, They labor in vain who build it;…

Matthew 21:13 (Jesus Said)…‘My house shall be called a house of prayer,’ but you have made it a ‘den of thieves.’”

Therefore…
John 2:19-20 (Jesus said)…“Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” (He was)…speaking of the temple of His body.

What and How are you Building?

We who Fear Jesus are The Church…
1Corinthians 3:16 Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you

1Peter 2:5 …you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

Therefore…
Hebrews 10:24:25 …let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.

Remember...

Matthew 18:20 ...where two or three are gathered together in (Jesus') name, (He is) there in the midst of them.”

1Corinthians 12:27 …you are the body of Christ, and members individually.

1Corinthians 3:9 …you are God’s field, you are God’s building.

Revelation 1:6 (Jesus has)…made us kings and priests…

Ephesians 2:19-22 …therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.

Romans 12:5 …so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another.

Romans 12:4 …but all the members do not have the same function…

1Timothy 3:15 ...I write so that you may know how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.

1Corinthians 12:4-11 There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing's by the same Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.

Romans 12:6-8 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.

1Timothy 4:14 Do not neglect the gift that is in you...

Ephesians 4:15-16 ...grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ—from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.

Romans 12:3 I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.

1Corinthians 12:22 …those members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary.

1Corinthians 12:24-26 God composed the body, having given greater honor to that part which lacks it, that there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another. And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.

Romans 12:9 Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another…

Romans 12:16 Be of the same mind toward one another.

Romans 14:19 …pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another.

1 Corinthians 14:5-7 I wish you all spoke with tongues, but even more that you prophesied; for he who prophesies is greater than he who speaks with tongues, unless indeed he interprets, that the church may receive edification. Tongues Must Be Interpreted But now, brethren, if I come to you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you unless I speak to you either by revelation, by knowledge, by prophesying, or by teaching? Even things without life, whether flute or harp, when they make a sound, unless they make a distinction in the sounds, how will it be known what is piped or played?

1Corinthians 14:20-40 Brethren, do not be children in understanding; however, in malice be babes, but in understanding be mature. In the law it is written: “ With men of other tongues and other lips I will speak to this people; And yet, for all that, they will not hear Me,” says the Lord. Therefore tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe but to unbelievers; but prophesying is not for unbelievers but for those who believe. Therefore if the whole church comes together in one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those who are uninformed or unbelievers, will they not say that you are out of your mind? But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or an uninformed person comes in, he is convinced by all, he is convicted by all. And thus the secrets of his heart are revealed; and so, falling down on his face, he will worship God and report that God is truly among you. How is it then, brethren? Whenever you come together, each of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification. If anyone speaks in a tongue, let there be two or at the most three, each in turn, and let one interpret. But if there is no interpreter, let him keep silent in church, and let him speak to himself and to God. Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others judge. But if anything is revealed to another who sits by, let the first keep silent. For you can all prophesy one by one, that all may learn and all may be encouraged. And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets. For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints. Let your women keep silent in the churches, for they are not permitted to speak; but they are to be submissive, as the law also says. And if they want to learn something, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is shameful for women to speak in church. Or did the word of God come originally from you? Or was it you only that it reached? If anyone thinks himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things which I write to you are the commandments of the Lord. But if anyone is ignorant, let him be ignorant. Therefore, brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak with tongues. Let all things be done decently and in order.

Acts 2:17-18 ...it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your young men shall see visions, Your old men shall dream dreams. And on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days; And they shall prophesy.

Romans 15:14 Now I myself am confident concerning you, my brethren, that you also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another.

Colossians 3:15-16 let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

Jeremiah 23:28 (The Lord said)...he who has My word, let him speak My word faithfully.

2 Timothy 4:2 Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.

Hebrews 3:13 ...exhort one another daily, while it is called “Today,” lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.

Titus 2:15 ...exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no one despise you.

Titus 3:14 …learn to maintain good works, to meet urgent needs,…

1 Tim 4:11-12 …be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

1 Thessalonians 5:11-13 Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing. And we urge you, brethren, to recognize those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. Be at peace among yourselves.

1Peter 4:7-10 ...the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers. And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.” Be hospitable to one another without grumbling. As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

1 Peter 3:8-9 Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous; not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing.

Should there be one minister in the Church or should we all be able to minister?

The Church is Not a Building Made of Brick and Mortar.
Church is Not Just a One or Two Hour Meeting Each Week.
It’s Time for Each One of God’s Children to be The Church 24/7.
Are you building your kingdom or Jesus' Kingdom?

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These Bible verses were compiled from the New King James Version by Brian & Jon Israel, Truth Ministries, PO Box 25096, Cleveland, OH 44125 www.ConnectionMagazine.org, email: jon@connectionmagazine.org

Our purpose is to rightly divide the word of the One True Almighty God/Father/Savior Jesus Christ whose word is found in the Holy Bible; To provoke you to read His Word thoroughly; To encourage you to seek Him diligently in prayer, and to help you develop a strong relationship with Him.

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