The Bishop's Bible 1568

The Gospel of Luke--Bishops Bible Leaf

The Church which is His Body, made possible by the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ, is that chosen generation, royal priesthood, holy nation, peculiar people of this age of grace who have been born of the Spirit into the family of God (John 3:1-7; 1 Peter 1:22-25), baptized by the Spirit into this one Body (Galatians 3:26,27; 1 Corinthians 12:13), and thus are in vital union with Jesus Christ as members one of another and of Him (Galatians 3:28; Ephesians 4:25; 5:30)  It was this Church which was prophetically announced by Christ (Matthew 16:18) decreed eternally in the mind and purpose of God (Ephesians 1:3-14, 3:1-12), and historically manifested during this age of Grace. This Church is pictured in the Scripture as: the building of God (Ephesians 2:19-22, 1 Peter :1-8); the Body of Christ (Ephesians 1:22,23; 3:1-12; 4:4,12,16; 1 Corinthians 12:12-27), the espoused Bride of Christ (Revelation 19:7,8 Ephesians 5:29-32). This Church, not to be confused with or identified with the local church, is in existent during this age of Grace and will be finally consummated at the Rapture (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18:1 Corinthians 15:51-58). It is sometimes referred to as the Universal or Invisible Church. The Church which is His Body is a blessed fact emphasizing the unity of God's people in this age. It includes all the redeemed, whether Jews or Gentiles, from Pentecost to the Rapture, whether in Heaven or on earth. We believe that local churches are gatherings of professing believers in given communities, organized for the purpose of united worship, fellowship, administration of the ordinances (baptism and the Lord's Supper), edification, discipline, and effective promotion of the work of Christ throughout the world; that such local churches should be limited in membership to those who are born again, desire to follow Christ in obedience and have been immersed; that Christ is the supreme head and every member has direct access to Him and is responsible to seek His will; that the only offices recognized in such New Testament churches are those of pastor (bishop, presbyter, elder) and deacon; that government is democratic with every member responsible to vote in keeping with his understanding of the will of Christ; that each local church is responsible directly to Christ and not to some other local church or organization, that there is value in fellowship and cooperation with other local churches of like convictions (Matthew 18:15-17, 28:18-20; Acts 2:42, 8:38; 1 Corinthians 1:2, 11:26,28; 1 Timothy 3:1-7, 8-15)

God's Simple Plan of Salvation

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Rodeo Cowboy's Prayer