Is church organization inconsistent with Christ Jesus' ideal of true spiritual freedom? Those who think so might argue, "The Master didn't establish or make provision for any outward form of worship or organize ways of carrying on his great works."
So far as building an edifice to carry forward his mission is concerned, this is true. However, Jesus did speak of the establishment of his church. He told Peter, "Thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it."Matt. 16:18 In his public ministry it was enough for him to demonstrate, through healing works, the control of Spirit over material beliefs, to teach the fatherhood of God, and to prove the foreverness of life. His mission, partly, was awaking others to the great facts of spiritual being. He confidently left the furtherance of his works to his Father.
Knowing he could not outline steps in advance of his disciples' grasp of truth, he said, "I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth." John 16:12, 13 The Master prophesied the coming of the Comforter to human consciousness. He said, "It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you." v. 7
