Since the New Testament Church is the Body of Christ and not the denomination(s) of men, it’s installation on earth is broader than what a single calendar date defines.
THE ORIGIN: It was foreordained in God’s eternal plan and purpose – Ephesians 3:9-11. Thus, the New Testament Church existed in God’s eternal plan before the world began. It will also continue on into eternity future as the Bride of Christ (in the Rapture and from then on).
THE SUBSTANCE OF: God sent John the Baptist to prepare a people for Jesus – Luke 1:17. Jesus took these prepared people and set them in His Body (the local church) as its first members. The substance (prepared people) and Christ, were all identified together through the Baptist baptism of John, the New Testament covenant seal: “One Lord, one faith, one baptism” – Ephesians 4:4-6
THE DEFINITION OF: Christ brought the substance (prepared people) together unto being members of His Body (the local church He built), and equipped it with its ordinances and practices during His earthly ministry.
THE HEAD: God only gave Christ to be the Head over all things to the church, His body, Ephesians 1:22-23, Ephesians 5:23-33.
THE INAUGURATION OF: At Jesus’ crucifixion, the Levitical order (Old Testament) was disannulled, and the New Testament was put in force by the death of the Testator (Jesus Christ), Hebrews 7-9, Luke 22:20.
THE GREAT COMMISSION: Matthew 28:18-20, after His resurrection and before His ascension.
THE EMPOWERMENT OF: With the coming of the Comforter, i.e., the new role for the Holy Ghost in the church capacity, Acts 1:8 (Acts 2), Christ personally gave spiritual gifts to the Apostles during His earthly ministry. All others after his ascension have them bestowed through the Comforter – 1 Corinthians 12.
THE PERPETUITY OF: Matthew 16:18, 28:20 – The Body of Christ (local New Testament Churches with Baptist baptism), descending from the One Jesus built, will continue on earth until they are all removed in the Rapture.
THE RAPTURE AND MARRIAGE OF THE CHURCH: At the Rapture, all the local New Testament Churches will become one as the Bride of Christ, for marriage to the Lamb of God, to eternally reign with Him in the New Jerusalem.
SHARING
