This lesson will begin with a search for scriptural organization of God’s one church. With many "churches" in the world today, it is necessary that one understands the truth that God created and endorses only one, His church. To accomplish this particular lesson, questions will be listed followed by scriptures given throughout the New Testament that provide the answers to each.

The scriptures recorded in Ephesians 1:22-23, Colossians 1:18, and Ephesians 5:22-25 state plainly that Jesus Christ is the head of the church. Note that the body of the church (Colossians 1:18) and the church is the body (Ephesians 5:22-23). Thus the body of Christ, is the church of Christ (I Corinthians 12:27 and Romans 16:16).

Paul in Ephesians 1:22 says God has put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church. It is stated in Colossians 1:19, "It pleased the Father that in him should all fullness dwell." He, as head of the church, is the head of all principality and power (Colossians 2:10). Paul also proclaims in I Corinthians 15 that God has put all things, except him, under the feet of Christ.

Since these scriptures proclaim that God has made Christ head over all things to the church and has put all creatures (with the exception of himself) under his feet, it appears to be a logical conclusion that Christ, as the head of God’s one church, has all authority over that institution. There are other scriptures, which teach God has given all authority to him. If, for example, a man has one fold or one flock of sheep and only one shepherd, then that person has only authorized one person to lead his sheep. God has one fold and one shepherd (John 10:16) and Jesus is that one shepherd (John 10:11).

What is known about a vine and its branches? The branches receive their life sustaining food from (and only from) the vine to which they are attached. It is declared that Jesus is the vine and God’s children are the branches (John 15:1-6). This scripture teaches that God has authorized Jesus (and only Jesus) to provide its members with spiritual, life sustaining food.

Another way of looking at Christ’s authority over the church would be as a doorman or gatekeeper. Revelation 3:7 states that what Christ opens, no man shuts and what he shuts, no man opens. It is declared in (Matthew 7:21; James 1:21-25; and Revelation 22:14) that only those who do the will of God will be saved. It is also mentioned in I Corinthians 2:11 that we, as people acting alone, cannot know the things of God and need to be taught. Christ declares in the first part of Matthew 23:8 that none of us are to be called Rabbi, a teacher of God’s law. Then, in the last part of this scripture he says, "…for one is your master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren."

A person can find the following words of Christ recorded in Matthew 28:18: "All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth." A serious student of the Bible must ask himself or herself if Christ has been given all authority, then how much authority has been reserved for others?

Many have difficulty understanding how Jesus, a spiritual being residing in heaven (Acts 1:1-5 and Ephesians 1:20), can be the leader or head of an institution located physically on earth. God through the Holy Spirit, Moses and the prophets, gave unto the children of Israel the Old Testament covenant (II Peter 1:20-21 and Hebrews 1:1). From these scriptures it is evident that God ruled his people from his position in heaven (Acts 7:38-39 and Luke 16:27-31). In the same manner, Christ by the Holy Spirit, apostles, and prophets, has given unto the world the New Testament covenant (John 14:25-26; John 16:12-15; I Corinthians 2:6-13; Ephesians 3:1-5; I Corinthians 14:37; I Timothy 3:14-15; John 20:30-31; and John 21:25). Therefore Christ, from heaven, rules over God’s New Testament church.

None of the teachings of Christ are included in the Old Testament. That portion of the Bible was written (recorded) by Moses and the prophets. This is confirmed by what is stated in Hebrews 1:1-2, "…that God in times past spoke through the prophets; but now speaks through Jesus."

Nevertheless, there are some religious groups who do not believe all the teachings of Jesus are within the pages of the New Testament. They believe that Jesus from time to time has revealed unto others, teachings that he did not previously reveal unto those who penned the New Testament. There are numerous reasons why this can’t be the case.

Reason #1

The men, who wrote the New Testament books, never once contradicted each other. Whereas, those who say they have received additional teachings by revelation, contradict what is already included in the New Testament as well as each other from time to time. God does not contradict himself; therefore it seems only logical that he is not responsible for would be inspired teachings.

According to John 14:25-26 Jesus promised his apostles that the Holy Spirit would teach them all things. His promise to them as recorded in John 16:12-16 was: "He will guide you into all truth." This has to be true because Christ said it and would not have said so if it weren’t true.

All of God’s will was revealed unto Paul. This is made evident because Paul said to the people in Ephesus, "I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God." (Acts 20:26-27). If he declared all the counsel, how much is left for others to declare?

The inspired Paul, when speaking of himself and his co-laborers, affirmed that God would curse either angel or man who would teach anything which they had not taught (Galatians 1:6-9).

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