This is the Church (House) that WHO Built? 11-3-26

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A Church will not thrive spiritually without the right leader.

This is the criteria (God’s standard) for His Church. Let’s start with the true church that has been ordained (called) by God and Who it began with: Jesus built the Church on Himself (The ROCK- Big Stone)-

And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock (little rock meaning Petra) I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.  

And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven (Matthew 16:18-19).

Peter received a new name from Jesus when He commissioned Peter to establish churches and handed him keys to the kingdom.

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Clarity- The Church was not built on Peter, of whom a certain religious organization believes. Power to bind and loose means authority to forgive sin, pronounce doctrinal judgments, and take disciplinary action in the church. No one has the power to forgive sins but the Lord God Almighty.

Peter was the impetuous disciple; always quick to:

Jump ahead. He cut off a man’s ear- Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant’s name was Malchus. So, Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword into the sheath. Shall I not drink the cup which My Father has given Me?”(John 18:10-11).

Quick to give and answer-

You are the Christ, the Son of the living God (Matthew 16:19).

Open his mouth and didn’t know what he was talking about- Peter said to Him, “Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You! “And so did the other disciples (Matthew 26:35).

Yet, he was the leader and the preacher - the apostle Peter preached  on the day of Pentecost; his first use of the keys to the kingdom; three thousand souls were saved (Acts,  chapter 2). More and more people were added to the church as the Lord used Peter and the apostles to preach the Gospel (Good News) of Jesus Christ.

It is also evident he was one of the apostles in (Ephesians 2:20).

Therefore, binding and loosing had to do with spiritual authority and responsible for standing for truth and living a higher standard to help others to grow in their walk with Christ.

The true church follows the guideline of Christ, otherwise it is NOT a true church.  You also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.  

Therefore, it is also contained in the Scripture, behold, I lay in Zion, A chief cornerstone, elect, precious, and he who believes on Him will by no means be put to shame (1 Peter 2:5-6).

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Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit (Ephesians 2:19-22).

And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, (Ephesians 4:11). A true leader is called by Jesus Christ.

Betty A. Burnett ~ burnettministries.org