Everyone who believes in Jesus and carries out his words are all part of 'HIS' Church!
yes, well I agree with this
those who believe in Jesus and carry out His words are part of His Church
Those who carry out His words are part of the Church
what are the words of Jesus?
John 17:21
that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.
the work of schismatics cause division
Hebrews 13:17
Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account. Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you.
by rejecting rightly ordered authority they have rejected the very teachings of the Bible
The 'Church' of Jesus is us! It is the people. It is not made of stone. It is not a building
you are right
The Church is not a building made of stone
it is also not a duck
the Church is not a ham sandwich
I see NO ONE in this thread who said that the Church was a building
and I certainly do not hold such an absurd view
the Church is a community
we can read about it in the Bible, specifically Acts of the Apostles and the Epistles help us to better understand the characteristics of the Church
For example, when the early Church had an issue, representatives of the local churches met in a council in Jerusalem
they talked about the issue
and then the rulings of the council were followed
the Church is one community, the leaders were the Apostles, and they passed down their authority to the Bishops
it is one thing
do not be fooled by counterfeit groups that have been crafted by the hands of sinful men
you keep saying that you do not think that Jesus would say this or He would say this
go to the Bible, do not be swayed by your own imagination