But there is recorded stronger evidence even than this that the disciples of Jesus are to be organized in a Church community. When Jesus asked testimony of His disciples, "Whom do men say that I the Son of Man am?" the disciples answered, you remember, "Some say that Thou art John the Baptist: some Elias; and others Jeremias, or one of the prophets." Then, when Jesus put the question to them, "Whom say ye that I am?" Simon Peter declared, "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God." {149} [Sidenote: The testimony of Jesus.] This declaration is wonderful in its simplicity and unfaltering faith. But the answer of Jesus to it is even of greater significance: "Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but My Father which is in heaven . . . . and upon this rock I will build my Church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." [Sidenote: Its significance.] Here, then, is found the final answer to our questions. Jesus appointed and ordained twelve apostles, He called other seventy, because it was significance. His purpose to organize His Church. The disciples appointed and ordained elders, and priests, and teachers, and deacons, and other officers, because they, too, were building up the Church of Christ. Moreover, these words of Jesus point the test of the true Church. Not every Church assembly that cries, Lo, here is Christ, is necessarily the authorized Church. That only can be the true Church which is founded on the rock of revelation. An organized Church there must be--without the worship of the disciples would dwindle away. But the foundation stone of that Church must be revelation; for where there is no revelation the people perish. THE REFERENCES Matt. 13:24-30. Matt. 13:47-49. Matt. 13:36-43. Prov. 29:18. {150} THE QUESTIONS 1. Review the foregoing lessons. 2. What questions are aroused by what Jesus has taught to his people? 3. Explain the parable of the tares. 4. How does it answer the question, Did Jesus intend to organize His disciples? 5. What is the difference between the kingdom of God and the Church of Christ? 6. What is the principal evidence that Jesus intended to organize a Church? 7. What is the first test of the Church of Jesus Christ? {151} {152} PICTURE: CHRIST'S CHARGE TO PETER, Raphael {153} XX THE TEST OF AUTHORITY [Sidenote: The figure of the architect.]