Did Jesus Build An Invisible Church? Robin W. Haley

It seems that many brethren believe that Jesus built an invisible church in that it exists everywhere and that somehow, there is a mystical, invisible membership that will emerge from all the denominations and join Jesus in the air when He returns. This is nothing more than pure ecumenicism and is the exact parallel to saying "Oh, we will all go to Heaven...we just go by different routes." Ever hear that before? Is that what the Bible teaches? Did Jesus really add people to His "invisible" church from among all the religious world, denominations and cults alike? It gets most tiresome for this writer to continue to hear my brethren and "pious" religionists spouting these high-toned phrases of sophistry claiming brotherhood and fellowship with any and all who happen to say "Jesus is Lord!" I am convinced that we need less sophistication and more determination to "speak as the oracles of God," (1 Pet. 4:11). Let us hear fewer words like "dichotomy," "dualism," and "catechumen" and more words like "truth," "obedience," repentance," and "faithfulness!" Let us all as preachers, teachers, elders, and writers do as God told the prophet, "Write...and make it plain!" (Hab. 2:2). What has the previous paragraph to do with our title? Simply this: the truth about Christ's church is being hidden among the rubbish of human wisdom, with the multi-syllable words and "irenic" spirit of compromise. Those who contend that the church of our Lord is made [up] of those in all denominations who "have the same convictions we do," teach that all these are just as "saved" as members of the "Church of Christ" (I use this in a sectarian way!). They have made the Lord's bride nothing more than one denomination among many. Shame on those who do not know better! These people need to study their Bibles more. Did Jesus build something that we could not actually see, to which we could not point? Did He call us into something that has no definable borders? Are we members of something that we have to just guess where it is and is not? What does the Bible teach? Isaiah says that the church would be something into which people would stream. Not only that, but those streaming in would tell others to come along. The church, then, was to be something people could locate, investigate and decide upon to enter (Isaiah, chapter two). On Pentecost, Peter spoke to the Jews about that which ye both "see and hear" (Acts 2:33). We know he referred to the Holy Spirit, but where was the Spirit pointing? To the church!! Now, we are not suggesting that people today find the church by listening for the sound of "a mighty, rushing wind" but we do contend that there is something distinctive about what is heard in the church. It is the gospel, (1 Cor. 15:1), the teaching of the Lord, (Acts 13:12), the whole counsel of God, (Acts 20:27). When people hear this, they can know that they have found the church, and there is no other place the whole truth is found (1 Tim. 3:15). Without question, truth is universal. We admit many have some truth here and there. But it is only in the church where the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth is found, preached, and practiced. We also do not deny that there have been some who have obeyed the Lord in baptism for the remission of sins, thus becoming children of God and being added to the spiritual body of Christ. But, they can by no means claim salvation. Why? Because... though they had at one time obeyed that part of Christ's doctrine, they apparently were not committed to it, (Rom. 6:17); though they had obeyed the Lord at one time, they on longer walk in the same manner as He walked, (Col. 1:10; Eph. 4:1; 5:15; 1 Jn. 2:6); though they listened to the call of the gospel, (2 Thess. 2:14), they no longer lead a disciplined life, nor follow the traditions of the apostles, (2 Thess. 2:15, 3:6), but rather the traditions of men, (Matt. 15:7-9). Simply put, they have gone too far and "abideth not in the doctrine of Christ" (2 Jn. 9), thus they no longer have God. Jesus said in Jn. 8:31 ASV, "If ye abide in My word, then are ye truly My disciples." What is one called who does not abide in His word? Certainly not a disciple. Luke records for us that "the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch" (Acts 11:26). If one is not a disciple, he therefore is not a Christian. Peter tells us that "Christian" is the name by which we glorify God, (1 Pet. 4:16). If one is not a disciple, thus, not a Christian, he cannot glorify God. Not until he repents can he be considered a disciple, thus, a Christian. In this way he can once again glorify God and the name of Christ. Our question now becomes, "Is the spiritual body of Christ a visible body?" Yes! Every reference to the body of Christ involves being able to see and recognize fellow members of that body. It is not the case that one can drive down Main St. and point to every building where denominations meet and say "that is part of the church...and this another part, etc..." But, it is the case that one can go into a town where the true church meets, find where they meet and say, "This is where the Lord's church will be found come Lord's day!" Who can deny it? The building is not the church of course, but we can see where the church gathers. Acts 14:27 tells us that the church was something to which Paul could report, because they could be gathered together and seen! The Bible does not teach that Jesus built a church that could not be seen. We can know where it is and is not. We do not have to guess who is and who is not a part of it! Enough of this ecumenicism!

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