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“[The existence of the real New Testament church] … does not depend on forms, ceremonies, cathedrals, churches, chapels, pulpits, fonts, vestments, organs, endowments, money, kings, governments, magistrates, or any act of favor whatsoever from the hand of man. It has often lived on and continued when all these things have been taken from it; it has often been driven into the wilderness, or into dens and caves of the earth, by those who ought to have been its friends. Its existence depends on nothing but the presence of Christ and His Spirit; and they being ever with it, the Church cannot die. This is the church to which the Scriptural titles of present honor and privilege, and the promises of future glory, especially belong; this is the body of Christ; this is the flock of Christ; this is the household of the faith and the family of God; this is God’s building, God’s foundation, and the temple of the Holy Ghost. This is the Church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven; this is the royal priesthood, the chosen generation, the peculiar people, the purchased possession, the habitation of God, the light of the world; the salt and the wheat of the earth; … this is that Church to which the Lord Jesus promises, ‘the gates of hades shall not prevail against it,’ and to which He says, ‘I am with you always, even to the end of the age’.” (Matthew 16:18, 28:20)1
Distinctly Eternal
Congruent with His eternal plan, God created the New Testament church to be His spiritual dwelling on earth. Therefore, He gave it a distinct function and form. The form of the church was predetermined to follow its function. The function of the eternal, organic New Testament church was to facilitate intimate, shared life fellowship between God and man. It served a twofold purpose. First, by demonstrating that the creatures of God were indeed willing to obey His commands and enjoy His presence, it would vindicate His nature from angelic challenge and accusation. Second, the satisfaction of the God-given function of the New Testament church would ensure the replenishment of the kingdom of God with willing citizens. The distinct form of the New Testament church was supportive of its eternal function. Therefore, God provided it with the form of an eternal, organic spiritual body. (Romans 12:4-5; 1 Corinthians 12:12-13, 27; ; Ephesians 1:22-23; 2:14-16; Colossians 1:18; 1 Peter 2:5) 
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In both function and form, the New Testament church is an eternal, organic entity. Consequently, its fundamental attributes will always remain eternal and organic: |
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As demonstrated above, the New Testament church is eternal in nature. Therefore, its eternal destiny was established before it ever existed.
According to purpose, the New Testament church was secured in eternity and time by a perfect sacrifice and consequently, the indwelling presence of indestructible life (zoe). As a result, it cannot be separated from the living (zoe) presence and loving purpose of God. Therefore, regardless of how well obscured by deception and darkness, God has never failed to preserve and protect a remnant of the New Testament church on earth. No amount of persecution or deceptive scheming has been able to destroy it. No lifeless (zoe) simulation, characterized by cathedral, religious accoutrement, and pompous ceremony, can extinguish the living (zoe) church. “…we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified. What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things? Who will bring a charge against God's elect? God is the one who justifies; who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us. Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? Just as it is written, ‘For your sake we are being put to death all day long, we were considered as sheep to be slaughtered.’ But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:28-39) |
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© 2023 James Hiatt
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