Page 297 - Bible Writers Theology Original

ye have loved me, and have believed that I came out from God. I came forth from the Father, and am come into the world: again, I leave the world, and go to the Father" (John 16:27-28). These and other revelations of the apos tles are the fundamental doctrine of the Church of Jesus Christ.
Soon after Jesus' baptism in the river Jordan, the disciples of John the Baptist started to follow Christ, the Messiah (John 1:35-37; Matthew 4:18-22). At the beginning of Christ's ministry, the prophet could say, "He that hath the bride is the bridegroom..." (John 3:29). It is written, "And he goeth up into a mountain, and calleth unto him whom he would: and they came unto him. And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he mightsendthemforthtopreach:"(Mark3:13-14). Thesemenweregiventhe mysteries of the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 13:11).
When Christ died on the cross, (Hebrews 13:11-12), the veil of the temple
was rent from top to bottom (Matthew 27:51). It was the beginning of the fulfillment of Jesus' words, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will
raise it up" Qohn 2:19-21; cf. Acts 7:48-50). With the shedding of His pre cious blood, all ordinances concerning the blood of the Old Testament came
toanend(Hebrews7:27;9:11-12,10:14). Aneworderhaddawned(Hebrews 7-19)/ a (Acts 9:2; Hebrews 10:11-20; John 14:6), a new and living rcess to God had been opened through the priesthood of Christ (Hebrews
\oa9-22; IPeter 2:9).
The Church of Christ was bom on the day of Pentecost. The "new Israel
of God (Gal. 6:15-16) continued to be called out of the temple and the syna gogues (Acts 2:5-6; 3:11; 5:11, 42; Luke 4:15-19; Matthew 23:1-3; Acts 11:19,
26; 13:43-45; 17:1-3), out of the Jews and Gentiles (Galatians 3:28; Acts 10; 8:5- 8^ 12; 15:14-17); and out of tongues and nations (Revelation 5:9-10) "into the
kingdom of his dear Son" (Colossians 1:13). The Bible says, "Wherefore
come out from among them and be ye separate, saith the Lord,..." (11 Corinthians 6:17; Acts 2:40; Revelation 18:4).
The different metaphors used by the New Testament writers to describe the Church, combine to convey its unique nature: "And to make all men see what is thefellowship ofthe mystery, whichfrom the beginning ofthe world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ; To the intent that now unto
the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom ofGod." (Ephesians 3:9-10). It is a new creation in Christ Jesus unto good works (Ephesians 2:10). The Church is sent forth with the gospel of Jesus Christ (Luke 24:46-48; Acts 1:8). James said, "Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him,..." (Acts 15:21; II Corinthians 3:7-18; Matthew 16:6). Paul declared, "For the Jews require a sign, and the
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