A Jesus community of God’s people
The church Jesus Christ is building is his own treasured possession. The church is called the body of Christ to emphasise the organic unity between the two of them. The life of the church originates in Christ himself. In fact, we are totally dependent on him, for the life proceeds from him. It is this dependency and participation of Jesus Christ that creates a genuine Christian fellowship
The church Jesus is building is his own church. The Christian fellowship is a fellowship around Jesus Christ. The church belongs to Jesus! The Christian fellowship is Jesus’ special property. It is his people, his family, his body, his bride, his house,- to mention some of the pictures the Bible uses. Notice that all these centre on Jesus.
People can build great organisations, associations, and denominations, and name them after great men and women. These organisations have different constitutions, rules and aims and bear witness to mankind’s great cleverness and expertise. Often people take great pride in belonging to these human religious organisations and structures. People like this will say: I am an Anglican; I am a Lutheran; I am a Roman Catholic; I am a Methodist; I am a Pentecostal; I am a Baptist; etc.
However, Jesus Christ is building a people for his own glory. He is bringing together a people that is called by his name only! The true church is a Jesus fellowship. This means that the fellowship belongs to Jesus. It means that the content in the fellowship is Jesus, and that it is he who binds us together. It also means that every aspect of the fellowship bears witness to Jesus. His name is the only name we recognise and the only name which is exalted in the fellowship. Therefore we stake our honour on being Christians – Christ-like.