THE IDEAL CHURCH

The ideal Church as revealed in the New Testament, like the New Jerusalem, has twelve gates to it.

1. The Christship of Jesus is the Foundation of the Church. “ Thou art the Christ … Upon this rock will I build My Church” (Matthew 16:18)
2. The Blood of Christ is the Atoning Price of the Church. “ The Church... which He purchased with His own Blood “ (Acts 20:28)
3. The Holy Spirit is the Administration of the Church, hence , He sets “ His gifts, severally as He will .( I Cro 12:28)
4. The ascended Lord is the Head of the Church, His mystical body. (Eph 1:23, 5:23)
5. Love is the Motive and Moving Power of the Church, hence the members are to love each other “as Christ loved the Church “ (Eph 5: 2,5,25)
6. Prayer is the Life of the Church, the power that brings release, even as it did to imprisoned Peter when prayer was “made without ceasing of the Church unto God” (Act 12:5)
7. Worship of the Lord is the Privilege of the Church, and Christ us ever the one who in the midst of the Church leads her in praise to God- (Heb 2:12) and the Church is responsible, as well as privileged, to “come together” to remember the Lord’s death- ( I Cro 9 : 18-26)
8. Edification, or building each other up, is the Rule of the Church, hence, the keynote of all ministry in the Church ( I Cro 14: 12,19)

9. Unity of action is the Responsibility of the Church, hence, there are to be no schisms in the body, but each member is to tarry for one another, and hold the Head by recognising the members in mutual helps and assemblage. (Eph 2:18-22, 5:16)

10. The truth of God is the Custody of the Church, hence, the Church of God is the pillar and ground of the truth. ( I Tim 3: 15)

11. God Himself is the Centre and Circumference of the Church, hence, the titles by which it is called, and the place where it is found. It is called “ the Church of God,” “the Church in God the Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ,” “the Church of the Firstborn” ( I Cro 1: 2) ( I Thess 1:1) ( Heb 12: 23)

12. The glory of God is the End and Church, hence, it displays His manifest wisdom and is to be His manifested glory. (Eph 3: 10, 21 ;5: 27)

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R.Chandrasekaran

I think it was John Wimber who once said: If you ever see the ideal church, do not go there, you will spoil it!

Actually, I think it was the 'perfect' church as opposed to the ideal church.

But, I think we all get the picture.