Exploring the New Testament Model; Part 2: The INVISIBLE/visible Church

1 Peter 2:5 (NKJV)

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.

Reflections:

In our last Blog we biblically established the role, and extreme importance, of the Holy Spirit’s moving in our midst. The Holy Spirit is He who makes the church a “living church.” Without His life manifested in our midst we are left with a dry form religion. One that has to be “pumped up” with a theater–like approach substituting spirit-life for performance and “pastoral” charisma. 

Let’s be honest; truth be known, all eyes are on the Pastor, are they not? What in fact should happen is that all eyes should be on “one another” as each saint brings forth life as they are led through the ministry and gifting of the Holy Spirit.

The church is not that building down the street made up of brick and mortar with a cross on it. It's not! The church in the Greek is the "ekklesia" "the called out ones." Those born-again believers, the "living stones" who come together to celebrate Jesus Christ as one.

Whether or not they meet in a home , an open field, or some building. The church remains the people who make it up. The church is world wide in its presence, and local in its expression of worship. There is only one church and we must no longer let man-made walls of doctrinal division keep her apart.

The church:

• Was established initially through Peter: Matt 16:17-19; Acts 2:1-47
• Made up of living stones: 1 Pet 2:5
• Jesus Christ the chief cornerstone: Matt 21:42; Acts 4:11;1 Pet 2:6
• The foundation: 1 Cor 3:10-12; Eph 2:19-20
• Becomes the Temple of God through the Spirit: Eph 2:21-22
• We are God’s building: 1 Cor 3:9
• Exhortation about how to build: 1 Cor 3:10-15
• We are individually the temple of God: 1 Cor 3:16-17 
• In its simplest form: Matt 18:20

It is high time for the church to RISE UP AND BE ONE!!!