The Rock

So, what constitutes a “Bible Teaching Church”? Simply one that “teaches the Bible”? Well, lots of religions “teach the Bible”. However, accurately teaching the Bible is key.

Jesus said to Simon Peter, “On this rock, I will build my church.” What rock was that? Jesus made that statement in response to Peter saying, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus was saying: On the foundation of this statement – on the accurate recognition of who I am – on that rock, I will build my church. Therefore, the key to a solid, biblically based church, a church that Jesus is building, is the accurate representation of who Christ is – it is on that bedrock that Jesus builds His church.

In II Corinthians 11:4, Paul critiques the Corinthian church by noting “if one comes and preaches another Jesus”, that the Corinthian church was tolerating this teaching. Paul compares the Corinthians falling for this teaching to Eve being deceived by the serpent in the Garden.

And in Galatians 1:8-9, Paul tells the Galatian church:

But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed!
As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, he is to be accursed!

At the heart of the gospel that Paul was preaching was the identity of Jesus – and that salvation could not be earned, but only received through the sacrifice of Jesus. Paul is essentially saying to the Corinthians and to the Galatians – if anyone preaches another Jesus – a Jesus with a different identity – our response should be to run from that doctrine.

So, a Bible Teaching Church – a church built by Jesus – must accurately recognize the identity of Jesus Christ. It is on this recognition that Jesus says He will build His church – and any variance from this recognition should be completely avoided, refuted, and condemned.

Next Time: So, what does the Bible say about the identity of Jesus?