Present Truth: One

 •  1 min. read  •  grade level: 11
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The church as “the house” and as “the body of Christ” began on the day of Pentecost. Acts 213Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine. (Acts 2:13) records the way in which it took place, and 1 Corinthians 12:1313For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. (1 Corinthians 12:13) tells us that all were then baptized by one Spirit into one body.
This was a “saved remnant” from among the Jews, to which were afterward added the Gentiles in Acts 10. This was fulfilling the word in John 10:1616And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd. (John 10:16), which is correctly rendered “one flock,” and also the word in chapter 11:52, which speaks of the gathering together “in one” of the children of God that were scattered abroad.
Paul received by revelation the wondrous mystery of what had taken place: Christ and we are one (Eph. 3:1717That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, (Ephesians 3:17))!
We may get bad material when the church is viewed as the house, for man may add that which is not real, but all is good material when it is the body, for it is the Holy Spirit that unites to Christ in glory.
The “one loaf ” on the table in the breaking of bread is the precious symbol of this unity formed by the Spirit (1 Cor. 10:1717For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread. (1 Corinthians 10:17)). Such an assembly is an assembly “of the saints” (1 Cor. 14:3333For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints. (1 Corinthians 14:33) JND).
H. E. Hayhoe