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The Church of
the Lord Jesus Christ or The Church of God is often difficult to
recognize for the majority. In fact, there is a French saying witch
runs: << It is easier to lie to foreigners.>> Many people may have
had experienced difficulties to tell apart identical twin. But, the
difference is obvious for the family members. The same situation is
often faced when one visits great personalities such as politicians
or show biz, which have more and more, nowadays, recourse to the
doubles. But, believe it or not: Even if “ president ” and his “
double”, resemble themselves like two drops of water; dear brothers
and sisters, dear friends Net surfers, the difference from the
double is very easy noticeable for the president’s wife, for his
children as well as for his immediate entourage. So, only the
immediate entourage holds the precise distinctive marks that can
allow new comers penetrate the mystery.
The Lord, like
wise, also speaks about a similar phenomenon before His coming; the
double of His church will be also operating. He says: < <
For there shall arise false Christs, and
false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch
that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.
> > Matthew 24:24. But, glory be to God! The elect cannot be
beguiled, because they are members of the family of God. Ephesians
1: 4, then Ephesians 2:19-20 which we read:
< <
Now therefore ye are no more strangers and
foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household
of God. > >
Here are
fundamental questions that can help new comers penetrate the mystery:
1: What is a
biblical church?
2: How do we
become members of the Church of Jesus?
3: Who is the
founder of the Church?
4: What is the
message of the Church?
5: Can we go to
heaven without the Church?
6: Who trains
and sends the ministers to the Church?
What is a biblical church?
The word church
comes from Greek, ekklèsia, that means: Assembly. Petit Larousse
dictionary defines it as a religious company founded by Jesus-Christ.
According to the biblical dictionary: The Church is the totality of
the people redeemed, since Pentecost, who form the body of Christ.
The Holy Scriptures define it as < < invited to leave > >. The word
was used for the first time in Exodus chapter 12 when Israelites had
to leave Egypt, Acts 7: 38.
In connection
with Matthew 4: 8-9, Jean 18: 36 and others, we are informed that
the kingdoms and governments on this earth are still under the
authority of Satan: Each country has a specific spirit, each
generation has a specific spirit etc. For example; the spirit that
the Devil has given to our time is to strip the woman. A decently
dressed woman does not receive compliments, she is not encouraged by
her entourage to respect her body, consequently she ends up walking
in the street with the clothes which were worn, 50 years ago, by the
insane ones and perverts. But, < < The invited to leave > > will
leave all these spirits of the world and receive the spirit of God
to serve Him in Spirit and Truth. John 4: 23-24. They are really
separated from the world, as it is written << And what concord
hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an
infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for
ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell
in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall
be my people.>> 2 Corinthians 6:15-16. Like any normal person,
the members of the Church live in the world, but they are not of the
world, John 17: 14-16. The term BROOD and the withdrawal of
believers from their normal life is not a biblical practice. It is
not a matter of physical separation as it was in Exodus, but of
spirit. Believers are separated from the world by the word they
carry in them, Which is not mixed with any human thought. They are
the people regenerated by an incorruptible seed, by the alive and
permanent Word of God, 1 Peter 1: 23 They live in the world, but the
spirit of the world is not in them, 1 John 2: 15-17.
How do we become members of the Church?
The Church is
the mystical body of Jesus Christ, and not an organization of men
. Saint Paul writes <<for as the
body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one
body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. > > 1
Corinthians 12: 12 To verse 13, he explains why a Christian is that
one who lives according to celestial spirit. A true believer does
not behave according the spirit of white, black, yellow, American,
Canadian etc < < For by one Spirit are
we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles,
whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one
Spirit. > > 1 Corinthians 12: 13. So, the entrance
into the Church of Jesus Christ is done by the reception of the
Spirit of God . This is really opposed to the signature of a so
called “card of member” because, the members of the true church are
registered in heaven << But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto
the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an
innumerable company of angels, to the general assembly and church of
the firstborn, which are written in
heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of
just men made perfect >> Hebrews 12:22-23. It is by the new
birth that we enter in the Church. The same way that we are
born carnally to be member of our natural families, also we must
born from the spirit of God to belong to the family of God. One
joint not to the Church of living God – One must born in it. < <
Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily,
verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see
the kingdom of God. Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born
when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb,
and be born? Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except
a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the
kingdom of God. That which is born
of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is
spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
> > John 3: 3-7, Romans 8: 7-9. Galatians 3: 26-29.
Who is the Founder Of The Church?
The Church is
founded by Jesus Christ , Matthew 16: 18 < <...
And Me, I say to you that you are Peter,
and that on this stone (Rock) I will build My Church > >,
and It was inaugurated in the year 34 AC, in Jerusalem. The Lord
Jesus Christ is the founder and supreme Authority, Ephesians 1: 22 <
< And hath put all things under his feet,
and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, Which is
his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all. > >
Colossians 1:17-18. As the spouse is supposed to submit to her
husband, likewise the Church is submitted to Christ who is her
Head, Ephesians 5: 22-33. That is why she cannot be rejected as it
will be for believers and the rulers of the church-doubles, (MT 7:
21-23). The parallel between Christ and His Church is in Genesis
2:23: As Adam exclaimed for Eve << This is now bone of my bones, and
flesh of my flesh >> likewise the Lord will recognize His assembly
< < word of His word, spirit of His spirit > >. Saint Paul showing
the parallelism between the bride of Adam, and that of Jesus Christ,
he says: < < For I am jealous over you
with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I
may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. But I fear, lest by
any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your
minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.>
> 2 Corinthians 11: 2-3. It becomes obvious that the Church is
typified in the prophetic word by a woman, because she is the
recipient of the word (seed) of Her head, Christ. The one who does
not receive exclusively the seed of Her celestial husband is called
prostitute, Apocalypse 17: 15.
What Is The Message Of The Church?
The message
of the Church has never changed; it is the Message of the
redemption, forgiveness and reconciliation with God. It always
starts with the calling of the repentance, conversion, water baptism,
sanctification until the baptism of the Holy Spirit. In the Acts
of the Apostles, chapter 2: 38-39, the day of the inauguration, we
read < < Pierre says to them: Repent,
and that each one of you is baptized in the name of Jesus Christ,
for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of
the Holy Spirit ? > >. This verse is a regulation or form
that each child of God must fill out in order to enter the Church
that is founded by Jesus-Christ. This form should not know any
change, under pretext of the country, of generation or of race,
because it was to be presented in the whole world, and all the
nations, Marc 16: 15-16. < < Then he
says to them: Go in the whole world and preach the good news with
all creation. That which will believe and which will be baptized
will be saved, but that which will not believe will be condemned
. > > Luke 24: 47. My brothers and sisters, dear Net surfers,
the call of the repentance still resounds: Repent and leave all
practices and teachings that are not concord with the Holy Bible.
Can one go to the heaven without the
Church?
In John 14: 1-3,
the Lord gives us a promise which is, up to now, not realized yet.
He says < < Let not your heart be
troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's
house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I
go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for
you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am,
there ye may be also.> >. Saint Paul explains why this
promise relates only to those who are in Christ (death or alive).
Other believers that believed what seemed to them good, will
resuscitate with the second resurrection, and will appear to the
judgment of the white throne, Apocalypse 20: 11-15. While the group
of Saint Peter, Paul and of all true prophets and apostles sent of
God, is taken in the first resurrection. The promise of John 14:
1-3, will happen with The True Church and not with The Modern Church
or The Double . The fulfillment of the promise of Jesus to His
disciples will certainly happen as it is written in 1 Thessalonians
4:15-18 < < But I would not have you to
be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye
sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe
that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in
Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word
of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of
the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord
himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of
the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ
shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught
up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air:
and so shall we ever be with the Lord > >. 1 Corinthians
15: 50-53. And Saint Peter, in 2 Peter 3: 3-10. The following
scripture will be fulfilled with the True Church (The Bride) : < <
Blessed and holy is he that hath part in
the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but
they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him
a thousand years. > > Apocalypse 20: 6.
Who sends and trains the ministers of this
Church?
It can be seen
that from Genesis 2: 15-16, Exodus 4: 15 to Jesus Christ; The Lord
Him self is the one who trains and sends His ministers. He says: < <
Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that
receiveth whomsoever I send receiveth me; and he that receiveth me
receiveth him that sent me. > > John 13: 20, John 20: 21,
Mathieu 10: 40 etc. While the false Church will persecute and stone
the messengers of God, The true Church of Living God will receive
the ministers sent by God. < < Therefore
also said the wisdom of God, I will send them prophets and apostles,
and some of them they shall slay and persecute… > > Luke
11: 49. Even in our time, the Lord has His messengers. Brother
Williams Marrion Branham was a true man of God sent to our
generation. He stood for the Truth in each and every bible teaching
as Saint Paul did, and it is through His Ministry that we know and
understand these things. Brother Branham being taken to be with the
Lord, God has never mark a pause as some people dare say, but He
appointed a Teaching Ministry with brother Ewald-Frank who has been
working for more than 40 years in collaboration with brother Alexie
Barilier and all other true servants who have a sincere respect for
the Mandate that the Lord, entrusted by audible voice to Ewald-Frank
the morning of April 2, 1962. So, in His Church, God always has His
messengers or apostles, His prophets? < <
And he gave some, apostles; and some,
prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for
the edifying of the body of Christ > > Ephesians 4:11-12.
The true men of God are in continuous opposition and without
slackening against all that does not proceed from the Word of God.
As it was with king Ahab and Jezebel, 1 Kings 18, who trained
prophets so that they could foretell him his desires, 2 Chronicles
18: 12-13, thus it is nowadays; there are organizations or
universities which train pastors, evangelists, even prophets so that
they can preach their doctrines instead of the doctrine of the
apostles. But, as it was for Saul (Apostle Paul), Acts 8: 1, Acts 9:
1-20, who was trained by the Pharisee teacher of the law, Gamaliel,
Acts 22: 3, got converted, also some men, trained by men’s system
end up receiving a divine call and leave the organizations to be
able to preach the only and eternal Gospel of Jesus Christ. The exit
of Martin Luther from catholic system with his 95 theses (1517) is
one of the numerous examples.
In the light of Holy Scriptures, any person
of goodwill can realize that what many call < < Church > > is not
church in front of God and His word. If we simply follow the model
of those who were approved by God before us, we will easily note
that the true Church has precise identifications which do not leave
any uncertainty. The true Church is identified as: Church Bride
of Jesus Christ, the elect, Assemble of the First Born, Hebrew 12:
23 Whereas the imitation or the double is identified as prostitute,
because she takes the seed of different teachers of the religious
world, and not only the seed of Christ that she claims to be bride
too. She lives in infidelity toward Christ.
So, ladies and gentlemen, in this very day,
God places you in front of a conscious choice: Between the truth (the
true Church) and the lie (The double of the church). In which
church do wish you to belong? God blesses you! < < ¶Blessed
is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy,
and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at
hand. > > Revelation 1: 3.
Fellow worker with God.
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