This shall be (I hope) the first installment in a series describing various truths about the church. These, some may count as trite, while others will think them cumbersome. But risking these I shall proceed.

Without an explanation of each of the terms used to describe the various functions of the church, be it understood that I shall be using them as synonyms, as they surely are thus used by inspiration. Such terms that stand for the body or church are these samples:

1. The church Acts 2:47

2. The churches of Christ Ro 16:16

3. The church of the Lord Acts 20:28

4. The Body of Christ Eph 5:23-25

5. The Kingdom Heb 12:28

6. The House of God I Tim 3:15

7. The Building of God I Cor 3:9

8. Etc. and Etc.

While the institutions of men seek the masses, Christ seeks the individual to become a part of His spiritual Body. "And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: Neither shall they say, Lo, here' or, lo there for behold the kingdom of God is within you." (Lk 17:20-21).

The Pharisees, not unlike the other Jews, nor even the disciples of Christ, were looking for the kingdom which John had predicted. Since it had been preached as "at hand" for better than three years, they now demanded some manifestation of its approach. If these preachers (John and Jesus) were men of truth, where, they asked, is the kingdom, since they could not see anything that looked like such was approaching. The powers of Rome were not weakening any, everything to the observer went on as it had done prior to the announcements of the Kingdom.

It was under these circumstances that Jesus them of His approaching Kingdom. It would not be with sword or trumpet. There would be no parades or gathering of armies. No one would be slain, not a single wall would be brought down. The power of the kingdom was to depend upon the reception of truth. The hearts of men must be gained and marshaled on to victory (II Cor 10:4-6).

"A sower went forth to sow his seed: and as he sowed, some.. fell on good ground, and sprang up, and bare fruit an hundred fold. And when he had said these things, he cried, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear... The seed is the word of God.. .that on good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart having heard the word keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience." (Lk 8:5,8,11,15).

Putting these statements with those made in the previous verses, it is clear that the word of God planted in the human heart will demand submission of the individual. At which point there will be no displays of honor or power to force submission. Rather as shown Nicodemus, it will be the inner man that is captured (Jn 3:8). When one thus moved or persuaded by the word of truth to obedience it is fruit for Christ.

From Jesus' parable (Lk. 8) we grasp easily the following: 1. He recognized the principle that each seed will produce after its own kind, Gen 1:10-11. A corn seed will produce only corn in the USA. Plant the seed in the USSR and there won't be a change in the fruit-still corn.

2. The soil determines the growth and productivity of the seed, yet does not and cannot alter the seed itself. It cannot change the fruit.

3. The seed is the word of God." The word of God preached and received in the human heart will produce after its kind. It will bring forth good fruit.

On that notable day the Apostles spake "as the Spirit gave them utterance." (Acts 2:5). It was said to the men of Israel "Hear these words" (Vs. 14,22, etc.) Proclaiming that Jesus, whom they had assented to be put to death, had by the power of God been raised and was in fact reigning on the throne of David. He must be therefore, obeyed. The people believing him wanted pinpoint information as to what they could now do about their error. They were told to repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, for the remission of their sins." (V. 38). Without hesitation they obeyed, were baptized added to the church (V. 41,47).

In the 20th Century the same word is preached, the same seed must be received and the same result is fruit unto God. When this takes place the church exists with members in it. When something other than the word of God is preached and received it will produce fruit, but not unto God. (Read carefully Mt 7:21-23).

The church was seen as a visible body on Pentecost. During various persecutions of the church, assemblies of worship were entered and the church was seen, therefore the meaning of Jesus must be understood in light of these facts. He was speaking of the pomp and array which other kings and princes had received, would not be accorded him. It does not mean however, that the body Christ is invisible. People do and observe the churches of Christ in work and worship. When the seed of the Kingdom is sown in a community where the church had not existed, people observe it as an existing body, alive unto god. More to come.--8782 Meadowview, W. Chester, OH 45069