THEME: CHRIST IS THE SOLE HEAD OF THE TRUE CHURCH

The above assertion attributed to Pope Benedict XVl of the Roman Catholic Church is a timely notice to the whole Believing World, whose Faith, Standing and Hope is found, based and expressed in Jesus Christ, Saviour, Redeemer, King and Lord, the Everlasting Spirit of Life, Light and Peace for the world.

To Him the Father and the host in heaven are waiting to gather creation separated from God and Dead in Rebellion and Disobedience, Sin and Transgressions back to the creator through the Forgiveness of  Sins and the Spirit of Reconciliation and Resurrection (Eph. 1:1-10; 2 Cor. 5:17-18; Rom 10:1-13; Heb. 2:10-18).

The Christian Faith is built on the Foundations laid by the Apostles, Prophets and Jesus Christ Himself (Eph. 2:20).  Salvation is established through believing and confession of faith in Jesus Christ who is the Saviour and not repeat not in Apostles, Prophets or Evangelists, Pastors or Teachers, Bishops, Elders or Deacons or Ministers whatever the title given to such disciples by Jesus Christ the Head of the Church.

Now, the Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors, Teachers and Bishops are appointed of and by Jesus Christ. No Apostle, Prophet, Pastor or Bishop appoints or is expected to appoint the Disciples of Christ (Eph. 4:8-12).  And Jesus Christ the Head of the church who makes such appointments is not dead.  He is alive.  He has not abdicated His position, Appointing, Authority and Power nor delegated it   to anybody – Dead or Living Apostle(s).  He is active in His church, both with regard to Establishing and Running the Churches on one part and with Appointing, Equipping, Anointing and Commissioning Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors and Teachers, Bishops, Deacons and Administrators for the Church(es) on the other.

The question whether historic Apostolic Foundation supersedes Christ’s continuing personal ministry or whether the initial 12-Apostle connection is the sole criteria for good standing of a church is too elementary for any True Christian grounded in Christ, Scripture and Ministry of the Holy Spirit and the Knowledge of God to debate much more split hairs thereon. Perhaps, it may be necessary to add briefly here the need for humble and fervent prayers unto God for clarification and confirmation from Jesus Christ the Head of the Church whether He is still appointing Apostles and Prophets and Establishing or opening Churches or whether churches can and must only shoot out of one branch church, the Church of Rome. In that regard are churches started by Apostles other than Peter not acceptable and of no-good standing before Christ! What of churches, started by Apostle Paul who was not among the original 12 in places other than Rome.  Did the Church in Jerusalem reject and hinder the churches in the Gentile world started by Paul and others!

May the Lord’s Prayer in John 17 help us to identify and promote true branch churches of the body of Christ and their unity in spirit and the truth.

We conclude with due respect to Pope Benedict and the concerns expressed by many, particularly the World Alliance of Reformed Churches and the Evangelicals that at the end of the day, The Foundation of God’s and of the Church standeth sure, having this seal, The LORD knoweth them that are His… And let everyone that nameth the name of Christ departs from iniquity (2^nd Tim. 2:19).  Let everyone examine himself or herself, whether he/she is in the Faith.  Jesus is Here.  However, He soon comes to judge and take and reward His own!

There is only one church made up of those Elected according to the Foreknowledge of  God the Father through sanctification of the spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ, and born anew and baptized through confession of faith in Jesus Christ (1^st Peter 1:2; Acts 2:38-39; John 3:5-8).  And there is no other name by which men can be saved except Christ Jesus.  Peter and John, Paul and Barnabas, Mary and Anna, Moses and Elijah, all need to be so saved through Faith in Christ alone.

August 6, 2007