In the district of Caesarea Philippi toward the end of his earthly career, Jesus sat talking with his disciples. He was yearning to hear from their lips some indication that they had grasped the tremendous significance of his mission and who he was.
It was Peter who gave the response the Master longed to hear. "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God." Jesus' response came quickly and with joy: "Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven." And he followed it with the promise, "I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." Matt. 16:16-18;
This is the first time the word "church" is mentioned in the Bible. But from the days of Abraham, who searched for "a city which hath foundations," Heb. 11:10; stones have been set up for altars, and tabernacles have been built, indicating men's longing to feel their oneness with their Maker. Gradually a higher concept of church evolved, the culmination of which is found in Mrs. Eddy's definition of "Church" in the Christian Science textbook, Science and Health: "The structure of Truth and Love; whatever rests upon and proceeds from divine Principle.
