THE spiritual idea of Church as brought to light in New Testament writings is identified with Christ and was the essential element in the healing and redemptive work of Christ Jesus. To Jesus' yearning inquiry, made to the disciples (Matt. 16:15), "Whom say ye that I am?" Peter's momentous answer was, "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God."
This reply brought forth the Master's memorable statement, "Thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." The misconception of Jesus' prophetic pronouncement of the ever-present and enduring Christ obscured to humanity for centuries the healing office of Church.
Jesus' ministry laid the foundation of Church in the hearts and lives of the multitudes whom he taught and healed. Outwardly, the various churches were established by the apostles after Jesus' ascension. Manifestly, both the Master's and the apostles' works could have been accomplished only on a purely spiritual basis without any semblance of personal authority. Jesus declared, "It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing" (John 6: 63), and his healing ministry bore abundant proof of this fundamental statement of man's real being.
