by Dennis Rokser
As a pastor, I love the Church in general and Duluth Bible Church in particular. And why shouldn’t I? For the words of our Lord keep ringing in my ears, “And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18). This first time-prediction of the coming mystery of the Church, in which Jews and Gentiles become one with equal blessings in the Body of Christ (Ephesians 2 & 3), is pregnant with meaning and significance. Consider the following:
- The Foundation of the Church is the person and work of Jesus Christ as Peter confessed (16:16) and Jesus announced (16:21) …“on this rock.”
- The Builder of the Church is Jesus Christ (“I will build”); not a pastor or board or evangelist.
- The beginning of the Church would be in the future on the day of Pentecost (“I will build”); not starting with Adam, Abraham, or John the Baptist.
- The Owner of the Church is Jesus Christ (“My Church”); not a church board, big-giver, or founding family.
- The centrality of the Church is underscored by what Christ exactly is building today (“My Church”); not the Kingdom, etc.
- The meaning of the “Church” (ekklēsia) refers to a “called out assembly of people,” almost always used of the universal and local church in the New Testament.
- The durability of the Church is highlighted by Christ’s guarantee . . . “and the gates of hades shall not prevail against it.”
I recently taught a 3-message series titled, “Where Is DBC Going in 2017?” which many believers found both clarifying and encouraging, as it is easy to lose our focus amidst all the events and issues of our day. How can we say that we are “all in” about Jesus Christ, while we refuse to be “all in” about what Jesus Christ is “all in” about? Pray and support your doctrinally-sound local church regardless of its spots and wrinkles, for the universal church finds expression through local churches that are less than fully mature but are under satanic attack for preaching the Gospel. And remember that perhaps this will be the year that Christ’s Bride will meet her Bridegroom in the air! Until then, cooperate with our Lord, who through His Spirit and Word is building His Church.