As God’s presence filled the Old Testament tabernacle and His glory filled the temple at the time of its dedication, so did the Holy Spirit dedicate His church on the day of Pentecost.
Scriptural facts concerning the New Testament sanctuary, The Church of God:
It was built by Christ.
Matthew 16:18: “And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
It was a more perfect tabernacle.
Hebrews 9:11: “But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building.”
The foundation and materials of this house are described in the Word of God.
Ephesians 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.”
Christ is the head of the church having purchased it with His own blood.
Acts 20:28: “Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.”
Being the head, Christ governs His church.
Isaiah 9:6 -7: “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. 7.Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.”
There is no room nor need for rabbis, popes, fathers, lordships, bishops, or district superintendents in His church.
Matthew 23: 8 – 11: “8.But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren. 9.And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven. 10.Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ. 11.But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.”
Since the builder and head of the Church is in Heaven it stands to reason that the headquarters are also in Heaven.
One becomes a member of the Church of God through virtue of the New Birth.
We enter the family of God in the same manner that we enter the human family.
John 3:7: “Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.”
God adds the members to the Church. Man needs not join anything.
Jesus is the door of His Church.
Merely joining a church, water baptism, shaking the preacher’s hand, signing a card or going to a public altar does not in itself gain entrance into the church.
Man has neither the right nor the ability to open or close the door of the church.
Acts 20:28: “Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.”
The discipline of the Church is the word of God. It is the only one the Christian needs.
The Bible is all sufficient and supreme. Nothing needs to be added to it and nothing must be taken away.
Revelations 22:19: “And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.”
The Church of God is not a building, office, or a local organization but it is the whole family of God, in Heaven and on Earth who have truly been born again and saved from all sin through the sanctifying power of the blood and word. The Church of God locally is that divinely separated group of believers living by all of the word.