A11.8 – CHARACTERISTICS OF THE TRUE CHURCH

1. There are many organizations and Christian denominations professing to be Christian Churches, Matt 7:21-23

2. There is only One Body but many members 1 Cor 12:20-21

3. The Jews and the Gentiles have been reconciled in this One Body, Eph 2:16

4. There is only One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism and One Body, Eph 4:4-6

5. Jesus Christ is the Head, the Church is the Body, Rom 12:4-5 therefore,

a) The Church must be in subjection with the Head

b) The Church must unite with the Head

c) The Church must gladly serve the Head

d) The Church must take direction from the Head

6. Jesus Christ is the Shepherd, He is the good Shepherd, the great Shepherd, and the Chief Shepherd; the Church is the Sheep, Jn 10:11

7. Jesus Christ is the Vine, the Church is the Branch, John 15:1-5, therefore,

a) The Church must abide in the Vine

b) The Church must bear fruit from the Vine and for the Vine

c) The Church must be submitted for pruning

8. Jesus Christ is the High Priest; the Church is a Kingdom of Priests. Unlike in the Old Testament where the High Priest offered animal sacrifices, Jesus Christ offered His life as a living sacrifice, 1 Peter 2:9

9. Jesus Christ is the Chief Cornerstone and each member of the Church a living stone, Eph 2:19-20

10. Jesus Christ is the Bridegroom, the Church is the Bride, Eph 5:25-32