Alan Gross
Well-Known Member
Here is this 3rd section of the introduction of Milburn Cockrel's book and the link to it.
The Teaching in there takes every time the word 'church,' is mentioned in The Bible and it's interpretation, as far as, what did it mean to the people it was written to and what God Intended.
(not what it took Satan 1,500 years to add to the concept of The Bible usage of the word 'church', which robs the Bible Teaching and cyphins off multitudes into worshipping him = abhorrent).
"In this booklet I shall not inquire any more as to what theologians and creeds say about the church.
There is no such thing as an inerrant creed or an infallible theologian.
The final court of appeal is the Bible.
What men may say about the Bible is unimportant.
The great question is: What is the New Testament idea of a church?
Does the New Testament authorize only the local idea of the word church, or does it authorize the universal, invisible idea, or both?
It will be my purpose to prove that when we are shut up to the New Testament alone, only one definite idea of the church rules the field.
In the New Testament, the true and actual church is a local, visible body of baptized believers.
A limited reading of the New Testament will prove that a church that Jesus Christ founded during His Earthly Ministry:
None of these things could have been done by a universal, invisible church. Since the term "the universal, invisible church" is nowhere found in the New Testament, I must say that we do not have much to go on in our search. But in order to make sure the word church never has any meaning other than a local church, we must examine every passage in the New Testament on this important subject.
Let us look into the Book and see what God has been pleased to reveal.
If the universal, invisible church is of the great importance which some attach to it, surely the Bible will set this doctrine forth in plain language for all to see.
Otherwise, there is no need nor place for the universal, invisible church. The word "church" found in our KJV is a translation of the Greek word ekklesia. In the Greek New Testament it occurs 115 times. In our KJV, church is found 114 times. However, two of these times should be excluded from our discussion of 'church' in The New Testament."
Acts 19:37 the Greek word is hierosulosnot ekklesia. This is the Greek word for temple.
Then in I Peter 5:13 ekklesiadoes not occur in the Greek text. The word church is supplied by the translators.
'Ekklesia is translated three times "assembly" in Acts 19. Hence we need to subtract two passages in the KJV (Acts 19:37 and I Peter 5:13) which makes 112. Then we need to add 3 (Acts 19:32, 39, 41). Thus giving us 115 times ekklesia occurs in the Greek New Testament."
......
Take a look if you like.
If I place this whole thing onto my blogsite I usually write out all of the Scriptures and add some clarifying editing compared to what you find here, online. I can attempt to field questions. Get an understanding and get Scripturally Baptised, along with your assembly that cares to, and organize as The Lord's church, if you are serious about following and Worshipping God.
YOU HAVE FOUND SOMETHING.
Have you ever Prayed to know Jesus' True churches........ (?)
In Search Of The Universal, Invisible Church (Chapter 1) by Elder Milburn Cockrell - Sovereign Grace Landmark Baptist Pastor
The Teaching in there takes every time the word 'church,' is mentioned in The Bible and it's interpretation, as far as, what did it mean to the people it was written to and what God Intended.
(not what it took Satan 1,500 years to add to the concept of The Bible usage of the word 'church', which robs the Bible Teaching and cyphins off multitudes into worshipping him = abhorrent).
"In this booklet I shall not inquire any more as to what theologians and creeds say about the church.
There is no such thing as an inerrant creed or an infallible theologian.
The final court of appeal is the Bible.
What men may say about the Bible is unimportant.
The great question is: What is the New Testament idea of a church?
Does the New Testament authorize only the local idea of the word church, or does it authorize the universal, invisible idea, or both?
It will be my purpose to prove that when we are shut up to the New Testament alone, only one definite idea of the church rules the field.
In the New Testament, the true and actual church is a local, visible body of baptized believers.
A limited reading of the New Testament will prove that a church that Jesus Christ founded during His Earthly Ministry:
- made disciples (Matt. 28:19
- baptized these disciples in water (Matt. 28:19)
- taught them what Christ commanded (Matt. 28:20).
- elected officers (Acts 1:23; 6:5)
- sent out missionaries (Acts 13:1-4)
- observed the Lord's Supper (I Cor. 11)
- had regular and stated meetings (Acts 20:7; I Cor. 16:1-2)
- settled disputes (Acts 15:1-41)
- excluded the disorderly (I Cor. 5:9-13; II Thess. 3:14)
- restored the penitent (II Cor. 2:1-10)
- condemned false doctrine (Rom. 16:17-18).
None of these things could have been done by a universal, invisible church. Since the term "the universal, invisible church" is nowhere found in the New Testament, I must say that we do not have much to go on in our search. But in order to make sure the word church never has any meaning other than a local church, we must examine every passage in the New Testament on this important subject.
Let us look into the Book and see what God has been pleased to reveal.
If the universal, invisible church is of the great importance which some attach to it, surely the Bible will set this doctrine forth in plain language for all to see.
Otherwise, there is no need nor place for the universal, invisible church. The word "church" found in our KJV is a translation of the Greek word ekklesia. In the Greek New Testament it occurs 115 times. In our KJV, church is found 114 times. However, two of these times should be excluded from our discussion of 'church' in The New Testament."
Acts 19:37 the Greek word is hierosulosnot ekklesia. This is the Greek word for temple.
Then in I Peter 5:13 ekklesiadoes not occur in the Greek text. The word church is supplied by the translators.
'Ekklesia is translated three times "assembly" in Acts 19. Hence we need to subtract two passages in the KJV (Acts 19:37 and I Peter 5:13) which makes 112. Then we need to add 3 (Acts 19:32, 39, 41). Thus giving us 115 times ekklesia occurs in the Greek New Testament."
......
Take a look if you like.
If I place this whole thing onto my blogsite I usually write out all of the Scriptures and add some clarifying editing compared to what you find here, online. I can attempt to field questions. Get an understanding and get Scripturally Baptised, along with your assembly that cares to, and organize as The Lord's church, if you are serious about following and Worshipping God.
YOU HAVE FOUND SOMETHING.
Have you ever Prayed to know Jesus' True churches........ (?)
In Search Of The Universal, Invisible Church (Chapter 1) by Elder Milburn Cockrell - Sovereign Grace Landmark Baptist Pastor
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