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Larry Ray Hafley
In Matthew 16:18, Jesus said, "I will build my church." What can we learn
from this statement?
First, we learn that the church had not yet been built when Jesus uttered
these words. If it had, he would not have said, "I will build." Rather, he would
have said, "I have already built my church." So, the church was not established
prior to the issuance of this promise.
Second, Jesus was to be the builder of the church. The church was not
established by Abraham or Moses. It was not built by Martin Luther, Alexander
Campbell, Joseph Smith, or any other man. Jesus is its builder and maker, its
author and architect, its foundation and finisher.
Third, the church belongs to Jesus. He alone owns it, having purchased it
with his own blood (Acts 20:28--Incidentally, he did not purchase the church
until he shed his blood; hence, the church was not established before his
death.) He called it, "my church." Though it be but a man's bill of sale, we
know that one owns what he purchases. So, the church belongs to Christ. It does
not belong to men, nor to any group of men. It is under his rule since he is its
"owner and proprietor."
Fourth, Jesus built one church. He did not say, "I will build my churches"
(plural), rather, he said, "my church" (singular). There is but "one body," or
church (Eph. 4:4; Col. 1:18). If Jesus is the founder of all denominational
churches, he did not tell the truth when he said, "I will build my church." If
he fathered and fosters the churches of denominationalism, he should have said,
"I will build my churches." Did he build the church of which you are a
member?
Finally, we know that Jesus kept his promise. He built his church and
established his kingdom (Acts 2:47; 5:11; Col. 1:13, 18). His death reconciles
men unto God in the church (Eph. 2:16). Only in the church, or kingdom of
Christ, is one delivered from the power of darkness (Col. 1:13, 18). In the
church, one gives glory to God through Christ (Eph. 3:21). You cannot be right
about Jesus if you are wrong about his body, the church (Heb. 12:22-28; 1 Pet.
2:5-9).
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