We see that the church is a building of God,but it is not man made,even though it is made up of people. 1Co 3:11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid,which is Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is the foundation and the chief cornerstone of the Church. Eph 2:20-22 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets,Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; (21) In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: (22) In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.
And this is precisely what separates true Christianity from all other religions of the world – each believer is a home for God. Each believer is a temple for God. However,each believer did NOT begin life as a temple for God. Each believer did not hold a “divine spark” or a “piece of God” inside them when they were born. Sadly many religions teach that God has always dwelt as a part of everybody,but what they are teaching that we are a part of God and He is a part of us! That is wrong! Nowhere in the Bible is that taught! Shane Hipps,co-pastor at Rob Bell’s church,recently said in a sermon: And that’s why it says,“It was the life and light of all people.” It didn’t say the light and life of the people who believe in Jesus. This logos affects everybody including Osama bin Laden,as long as he’s got breath,in him,is a spark of the divine. People are not born with a piece of God within them,otherwise,Jesus Christ would not have had to die on the cross,because if we had God as a part of us,we would not be sinners in need of redemption. Jesus Christ died on the cross for our sins because mankind is thoroughly wicked and has no “spark of divine” in him. The problem with those that teach that all people have a “spark of the divine” in them,also teach that God is a part of all things and all things are part of God. A tree is part of God and God is part of a tree. A rock is part of God and God is part of the rock. God is unique in the universe – there is nobody or no thing like Him. He is completely separate and different from everything else. I heard this illustration the other day:If an alien were to land on this earth and wanted to know more about me and other human beings,I could point to another person and say that that person is like me and how I am different from another person. I cannot do that with God,because He is totally different from everyone and everything else. He is One,the only One like Him. There is no comparing Him to anything. If God were a part of everything,then God would not be unique.
Eph 4:4-6 There is one body,and one Spirit,even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; (5) One Lord,one faith,one baptism, (6) One God and Father of all,who is above all,and through all,and in you all.
Henry Thiessen wrote:The church is represented as an organism,as having a vital connection with Christ,as under the superintendence of Christ,as being a unit,although made up of Jews and Gentiles,as having a diversity of gifts among the members,and as ideally cooperating in the performance of one common task.
Rom 12:4-5 For as we have many members in one body,and all members have not the same office: (5) So we,being many,are one body in Christ,and every one members one of another.
In the Bible,we see that the Church is also called the Bride of Christ and one day will be married to Him (2 Cor. 11:2;Rev. 19:7).
The Universal Church is a company of called out believers in Jesus Christ and they make up the Body of Christ and belong to the Lord Jesus Christ.