"What have we found so far through reading the Scriptures this afternoon?" said Robert. "Let us make a summary of the points we have found, and write them down. Get some paper, please, dear. Let us keep a record of our findings. We promised the Lord to abide by His words. Jesus said one time: 'Thy word is truth'; so, whatever the Scriptures say must be right." "Here is paper and pen and ink," said Mary. "Very well," said Robert, "thank you. Put down-- "1. Jesus Christ promised, or affirmed that He would build a church, one which was to be His church (Matt. 16:18). "2. That church was to stand forever (same text). "3. The Lord added members to that church (Acts 2:47). "4. Salvation made them members of the church (same text). "5. The name of that church is, or was, the church of God (Acts 20:28, and other texts). "6. The church of God was visible in New Testament times (1 Cor. 1:2). "7. The church was the body of Christ (Eph. 1:22, 23; Col. 1:24). "8. The Spirit placed every saved one in this one body (1 Cor. 12:13; Rom. 12:4, 5). "9. Hence, it must have contained all the Christians. "10. And, therefore, the apostolic church of true believers--the spiritual body of Christ; and the church-members--the collective body of worshippers, were identical. When you saw one, you saw the other." "That is as far as we have gone, Mary. But we are not through the New Testament yet. I was just counting, and there are about one hundred texts in which the word 'church' occurs. But, it seems to me we have learned a great deal. I can see plainly enough that there was only one church in the early era of Christianity. All the ministers were welcome in every congregation. They all went by one name. There was probably only one congregation in any one city. I do not know whether they had a class-book or not, but they were united in Christ. Well, fold that sheet up, Mary; that contains the summary of our work this afternoon. We may derive some value from it later on." "But, I am really puzzled," continued Robert. "Something certainly has happened to the church since the apostles' day. It is all divided now. I believe some said that there are hundreds of denominations in the world now. But I am determined on this--that I will not join any church until this mystery as to its history has been cleared up, and I can see definitely the will of God in the matter. It is possible, Mary, that this church of God, which this paper stands for, may be what we are looking for. It has a Bible name, which is one thing In its favor. But we shall wait. I take my stand, here and now, God helping me, for Christ's pure church. I will look until my dying day to find it on earth, and will pray Almighty God to establish a congregation of this church here in order that it may show forth what God can do for men." So powerfully was Robert moved that he proposed that they pray. In prayer, Robert renewed his covenant to walk in all of God's light.