The Church belongs to Jesus Christ. The Church is the assembly of the Saints of God. The Saints are those persons that have been redeemed by Jesus Christ by way of repentance from all sins, acknowledgement of Jesus Christ as Lord as saviour of their lives, commitment to follow and obey all of Christ’s commands, received the Holy Spirit as witness in their hearts and invisible guide to their daily lives. Church The word translated "church" in the English Bible is ekklesia. This word is the Greek words kaleo (to call), with the prefix ek (out). Thus, the word means "the called out ones." However, the English word "church" does not come from ekklesia but from the word kuriakon, which means "dedicated to the Lord." . The Church of Jesus Christ therefore means the Called Out Ones Dedicated To The Lord Jesus Christ As His Assembly (or Embassy) On Earth.

1. THE CHURCH OF JESUS
CHRIST Series
Chapter 1: INTRODUCTION
(STATE OF THE CHURCH)
Pastor Joseph Asoh
OCEAN OF GRACE INTERNATIONAL KINGDOM CENTER

2. THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST INTRODUCTION
(The State of The Church)
❑ The Church of Jesus Christ
❑ Christ’s Vision For His Church
❑ The Birth of The Church
❑ The Models of The Church
❑ The Growth of The Church
❑ The Persecution of The Church
❑ The Apostasies of The Church
❑ The Revivals of The Church
❑ The Tribulation Church
❑ The Church of The Millennium Kingdom

3. THE STATE OF THE CHURCH
INTRODUCTION
❑ The Church of Jesus Christ
❑ Christ’s Vision For His Church
❑ The Birth of The Church
❑ The Models of The Church
❑ The Growth of The Church
❑ The Persecutions & Spread of The Church
❑ The Apostasies of The Church
❑ The Revivals of The Church
❑ The Tribulation Church
❑ The Church of The Millennium Kingdom

4. The Church of Jesus Christ
The Church belongs to Jesus Christ. The Church is the assembly of the Saints of God. The Saints are
those persons that have been redeemed by Jesus Christ by way of repentance from all sins,
acknowledgement of Jesus Christ as Lord as saviour of their lives, commitment to follow and obey all
of Christ’s commands, received the Holy Spirit as witness in their hearts and invisible guide to their
daily lives. Church The word translated "church" in the English Bible is ekklesia. This word is the
Greek words kaleo (to call), with the prefix ek (out). Thus, the word means "the called out ones."
However, the English word "church" does not come from ekklesia but from the word kuriakon, which
means "dedicated to the Lord." . The Church of Jesus Christ therefore means the Called Out Ones
Dedicated To The Lord Jesus Christ As His Assembly (or Embassy) On Earth.

5. The Church of Jesus Christ
Matthew 16:13-19 (KJV)
13 When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men
say that I the Son of man am? 14 And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias;
and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets. 15 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?
16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. 17 And Jesus
answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it
unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. 18 And 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.1 19 And I will give unto
thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in
heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

6. The Church of Jesus Christ
Acts 20:28 (KJV)
28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made
you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.

7. The Church of Jesus Christ
Ephesians 1:15-23 (KJV)
15 Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints,
16 Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers; 17 That the God of our Lord
Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the
knowledge of him:4 18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is
the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,19 And what is
the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty
power,5 20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right
hand in the heavenly places, 21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and
every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:22 And hath put all
things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, 23 Which is his body,
the fulness of him that filleth all in all.

8. The Church of Jesus Christ
Ephesians 5:23-24 (KJV)
23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the
saviour of the body. 24 Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own
husbands in every thing.
Colossians 1:18-20
18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things
he might have the preeminence.2 19 For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell; 20 And, having
made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they
be things in earth, or things in heaven.3

9. The Church of Jesus Christ As An Embassy
The Church is the Embassy of the Kingdom of God on Earth. The Church is the agency of the
Government of Heaven tasked with the responsibility of carrying out the mandate (Will, Wish,
Assignment, Duty, Command, Demand, Instruction, Policy, Order, etc.) of the Government of Heaven
on earth.
▪ Matthew 16:18-19
▪ Matthew 18:18-20
▪ 2 Cor. 5:20
▪ Isa.9:6-7

10. Responsibilities of The Church As An Embassy
Responsibilities of An Embassy include:
1. Visa Processing and Issuance
2. Citizenship Liaisons
3. Asylum for her citizens
4. Diplomatic Relations between Home government and host country

11. Responsibilities of The Church As An Embassy
1] VISA Processing & Issuance
▪ It is the duty of the Church to stipulate all the requirement of the Government of Heaven to all
intending travelers to heaven.
▪ Visa requirement is similar to all we are required to do to go to heaven.
▪ Believing in Jesus is all we are required to do to be saved. However, since we are not let into
heaven immediately , we are required to live on the earth until Jesus returns or we are called
home by way of death.
▪ There’s a whole new requirement if we must live successfully on the earth while awaiting the
return of Jesus Christ.
▪ The Church is empowered to present all the requirement, prepare the believer and equip the
believer to be fit and ready to live on the earth until the home government recalls him.

12. Responsibilities of The Church As An Embassy
2] Citizenship Liaisons
▪ Severally, citizens of a foreign country loose their identity. They are expected to report to the
embassy of their home country in the foreign country for restoration of their lost identity.
▪ Part of the role of the Church is to provide restoration service to citizens of the Kingdom of God
who have issues with their identities.
▪ Lose of Identity is the most common issues citizens have in a foreign country.
▪ When you loose your identity, there is a high chance that you will be taken for who you are not,
harassed, arrested, detained, interrogated, imprisoned or even deported.
▪ It is the responsibility of the Church to provide robust liaisons between Citizens of the Kingdom of
God and the Government of Heaven.

13. Responsibilities of The Church As An Embassy
3] Asylum for Her Citizens
▪ One of the principal role of the Church as the Embassy of the Kingdom of God is to provide
Asylum for Citizens of the Kingdom of God
▪ Asylum is diplomatic protection offered to citizens of a country.
▪ People seek asylum for the following reasons:
▪ Threat to life
▪ Starvation
▪ Political prisoners
▪ Dissidents
▪ Refugee status
▪ The Church has a responsibility to provide shelter, safety, protection, provision for citizens of the
Kingdom of God that seek for asylum

14. Responsibilities of The Church As An Embassy
4] Diplomatic Relations between Home Country and Host Country
▪ A very important role of the Church with regards to been an embassy is that of fostering
Diplomatic Relations.
▪ Diplomatic Relations covers several areas:
▪ Security
▪ Trade
▪ Investment
▪ Education
▪ Technology
▪ Scientific Development
▪ Sales of Arms and Military Collaboration
▪ Food, Health and Agriculture
▪ Etc.

15. Christ’s Vision For His Church
Christ’s Vision for His Church refers to The Will of God for Christ as far as The Plan of Salvation is
concerned. It also refers to the Series of Activities that Christ was to carry out during His stay on
Earth.
Luke 24:25-27
25 Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have
spoken: 26 Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory? 27 And
beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the
things concerning himself.
▪ See Chapter 2 of this series for more on Christ’s Vision For His Church

16. The Birth of The Church
The Church was officially born on the day of Pentecost, the day the Holy Spirit was sent from Heaven
to earth to empower the Body of Believers gathered in the Upper Room based on strict instructions
earlier given to them by Jesus Christ.
▪ See Chapter 3 of this series for more on The Birth of The Church

17. The Models of The Church
There are several basic models of the Church in the Bible. These models are itemized as follows:
1] The Garden of Eden Model
2] The Tabernacle of Moses [or Temple of God] Model
3] The Fisher’s of Men Model
4] The Seed Sower Model
5] The Vine Tree Model
6] The Chief Corner Stone Building Model
7] The River of God Model [Visions of Ezekiel]
▪ See Chapter 4 of this series for more on The Models of The Church

18. The Growth of The Church
The Church grew on the strength of the Power of The Holy Spirit.
Acts 2:41-47
41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about
three thousand souls.
42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
43 And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. 44 And all that believed
were together, and had all things common;45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men,
as every man had need. 46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from
house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,3 47 Praising God, and having favour with
all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.
▪ See Chapter 5 of this series for more on The Growth of The Church

19. The Persecutions & The Spread of The Church
The Spread of the Church was orchestrated by three major forces namely:
1] The Power of The Holy Spirit in the Demonstration of Signs and Wonders (Miracles)
2] The Persecution of The Early Believers led them to scatter to other regions thereby propagating
the Gospel as the went
3] The Proselytes of Judaism who entered the Gospel in Jerusalem as a result of the Annual
Pilgrimage of the Jews to Israel for The Day of Atonement (The Passover). They travelled back with
the Gospel to their various countries of settlement.
▪ See Chapter 6 of this series for more on The Persecutions & The Spread of The Church

20. The Apostasies of The Church
The Church began to experience various levels of Apostasy as soon as the Early Apostles died. As a
matter of fact even in the days of the Apostles, there were already encountering some false
teachings and practices but they didn’t gain a foothold until the death of the original Apostles of
Jesus Christ.
Acts 20:29-30
29 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the
flock. 30 Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after
them.
▪ See Chapter 7 of this series for more on The Apostasies of The Church

21. The Revivals of The Church
God in His divine wisdom knew that the Church will experience various levels of apostasy that will
smolder the zeal and zest of the Saints, He has made provisions through His Holy Spirit of Spiritual
Awakenings of what we call Revivals that will restore the Church back to the original mandate of
Christ.
Acts 6:7
7 And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great
company of the priests were obedient to the faith.
Acts 12:24
24 But the word of God grew and multiplied.
Acts 19:20
20 So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed.
▪ See Chapter 8 of this series for more on The Revivals of The Church

22. The Tribulation Church
During the End Times, the Church of Jesus Christ will be subjected to the most vicious attack of Satan
and his demons. It will be the most difficult time for the Church since its inception. The survival of
the Saints of the End Times will depend largely on four things namely:
1] Ability to decode all the plans of God
2] Ability to access all the resources of God
3] Ability to deploy all the power of God against the Wiles of the Devil
4] Ability to maintain right standing before God in purity of fellowship
The Gates of Hell will launch a hydra-headed attack against the Church of Christ (the Saints) using all
the systems of men and society.
▪ See Chapter 9 of this series for more on The Tribulation Church

23. The Church of The Millennium Kingdom
This the final state of the Church before the close of the Earth Program. It will be a glorious one. This
is the fulfillment of the Vision of Christ for His Church on Earth. This is the Church that will be
presented to the Heavenly Father as His Bride at the Marriage Supper of The Lamb (which will be the
official presentation of the Church [ the Redeemed Ones from the Earth] to the Father in Heaven)
Some where here the words …Till We All Come…will then be fully realized by Christ and His Church
▪ See Chapter 10 of this series for more on The Church of The Millennium Kingdom