Oneness of the Church
The church is the temple of God (1 Cor 3:16-17), the house of God (1 Tim 3:15), and the kingdom of God (Lk 17:21; Eph 2:19). Since there is only one God (Eph 4:6; Jud 24), there is only one temple, house and kingdom of God.
The church is the body of Christ (Eph 1:23; Col 1:24) and since there is only one Christ, there is only one body (1 Cor 12:12, 20; Eph 4:4)
The Church is the Body of Christ
There are three criteria for the church to be called the body of Christ:
1. The church must have the Spirit of Christ (the promised Holy Spirit, speaking in tongues)
The Bible says, “Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to Him.” (Rom 8:9). If an individual without the Spirit of Christ does not belong to Him, wouldn’t a church without the Spirit of Christ be considered not of Christ as well? Hence, what must we manifest to prove that we have the Spirit of Christ? Is there apparent evidence when the Holy Spirit descends on a person? Acts 10:44-47 records that those of the circumcision (Jews), who came with Peter to Cornelius’ house, heard the Gentiles speak in tongues and knew that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on them. Therefore, when Peter said, “…who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have,” the words “just as we have” refers to the experience of receiving the Holy Spirit on Pentecost, which was to speak in tongues.
2. The church must preach the words of Christ and the truth according to the Bible.
“Teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Mat 28:20). This was the instruction the Lord Jesus gave His disciples before He ascended to heaven. The pronoun “them” refers to the believers who were baptized into Christ through the gospel preached by the disciples. They were also the historical church. On the other hand, if the disciples did not teach them to observe all things that Jesus had commanded them, then He would not be with the church.
3. The church must manifest the power of Christ, or in other words, have many signs and miracles.
It is recorded, “And He came down with them and stood on a level place with a crowd of His disciples and a great multitude of people from all Judea and Jerusalem, and from the seacoast of Tyre and Sidon, who came to hear Him and be healed of their diseases, as well as those who were tormented with unclean spiritus. And they were healed. And the whole multitude sought to touch Him, for power went out from Him and healed them all.” (Lk 6:17-19). The Bible recorded many signs and miracles performed by Jesus Christ. As the body of Christ, the church is filled with the power of Christ, just as it is recorded in Mark, “And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Amen.” We can see that those who are willing to be baptized into this church can always touch the Lord Jesus.
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