The Everlasting Covenant

Only One Church

There is but one church, for the church is Christ’s body (Ephesians 1:19-23), and there is but one body. ² That one church is composed of those who hear and follow the voice of Christ, for Christ says: “My sheep hear My voice,” “and they follow Me.” ³ That church in the wilderness is therefore identical with the true church of Christ in every age. This is most clearly shown by Hebrews 3:2-6. As you read the passage; remember that “the house of God” is “the church of the living God.” ⁵ Now the text says that Christ was faithful in the house of God, even as Moses was. Moses was faithful in the house of God as a servant, and Christ as a Son over the same house, “whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end.” Jesus was called out of Egypt, as it is written, “Out of Egypt have I called my Son.” He was the Head and Leader of the host that came out with Moses. Christ and Moses therefore, are in the same fellowship and communion, and whoever is a partaker of Christ, must acknowledge Moses as a brother in the Lord. EVCO 400.1

These facts are most important, since as we learn God’s plan for Israel, we learn the true model for the church of God in all ages, even unto the end. We may not indiscriminately quote what Israel did, as authority for what we should do, since they often rebelled against God, and their history is more often a record of apostasy than of faith; but we may and should study God’s promises and reproofs to them, for what He had for them He has also for us. EVCO 400.2