The Truth of the Gospel
A widespread belief commonly held by most contemporary Christians is the idea of a so-called "invisible church." The myth that all true believers in heaven and on earth throughout the ages from a spiritual or mystical body of Christ. This spiritual church is also commonly referred to as the "true church."
The problem with this doctrine is that it cannot be found anywhere in the holy scriptures, and, in fact, the idea contradicts sound reason and the biblical revelation of the church; nor can it be maintained with fabricating a church beside the one we see operating in the Scriptures.
An invisible or spiritual church necessitates the existence of two churches: because when carefully examined, this so-called "invisible church" is different in origin, nature, characteristics, mission, and purpose from the actual, visible church we see operating in the scriptures. For example, it is said that the invisible church is a pure church, composed of all and only saved persons; but we see in the New Testament that the actual church is spotted with backsliders, false teachers, and apostles (Gal, 2:4; 1 Cor. 5:1-13; 2 Pet. 2:1-3; 3 Jn. 9-10; Jude 4). This is why the Bible church is also admonished to discipline unruly members and to exclude those who refuse to repent and comply with the counsel and discipline of the ruling elders and the duly authorized church: obligations that would make no sense at all if the church is invisible or spiritual (Mat. 18:15-20; Rom. 16:17; 1 Cor. 5:7-13; Gal. 6:1; 1 Tim. 6:3; Jas. 5:19-20).
The invisible church, it is claimed, is spiritual, mystical, and incorporate; nut, again, the church in the Bible isa visible, functioning body authorized to do God’s business in the earth, (Mk. 13:34; Lu. 19:13; Acts 1:15-26; 6:1-7: 1 Cor. 5:7-13: Gal. 6:1; 1 Tim. 6:3; Jas. 5:19-20).
Another error with this view is that the so-called invisible church cannot “fall away” because it is composed of only saved people, some of whom have already gone to heaven; whereas we see in the Bible and Christian history that the actual visible church did indeed fall away on several occasions: and needed to be revived and restored (2 Kg. 22:8-20; 23:1-30; Jer. 2:20-37; 18:1-17; Ezek. 37:1-14; Mt. 21:33-43; Acts3:21; 20:29; 2 Cor. 11:2-3, Gal. 3:1-3: 4:19; Rev. 2:5).
The invisible or spiritual church therefore cannot be the church of the Bible; for the Bible church has in fact always been spotted with backsliders, false teachers, and corrupt persons who “crept [into the church] unawares” to corrupt it (Gal. 2:4; 2 Pet. 2:1-3; Jude 4:3 Jn. 9-10). And so it is also in this present moment: the Bible church is imperfect, and will continue to be imperfect until that glorious day when God’s people will be “gathered together in one” and the prophetic promise will be fulfilled, namely, that a great shaking will terrify the sinners and hypocrites in Zion and the church will be purified and perfected (Is. 33:14-16; Heb. 12:22-28). Only then will the church-bride be worthy to be presented to Christ in glory “without spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing” (Eph. 5:27; see also 2 Cor. 11:2; Col. 1:28; 1 Thess. 4:16-18; Rev. 19. 7-8).
The problem with this doctrine is that it cannot be found anywhere in the holy scriptures, and, in fact, the idea contradicts sound reason and the biblical revelation of the church; nor can it be maintained with fabricating a church beside the one we see operating in the Scriptures.
An invisible or spiritual church necessitates the existence of two churches: because when carefully examined, this so-called "invisible church" is different in origin, nature, characteristics, mission, and purpose from the actual, visible church we see operating in the scriptures. For example, it is said that the invisible church is a pure church, composed of all and only saved persons; but we see in the New Testament that the actual church is spotted with backsliders, false teachers, and apostles (Gal, 2:4; 1 Cor. 5:1-13; 2 Pet. 2:1-3; 3 Jn. 9-10; Jude 4). This is why the Bible church is also admonished to discipline unruly members and to exclude those who refuse to repent and comply with the counsel and discipline of the ruling elders and the duly authorized church: obligations that would make no sense at all if the church is invisible or spiritual (Mat. 18:15-20; Rom. 16:17; 1 Cor. 5:7-13; Gal. 6:1; 1 Tim. 6:3; Jas. 5:19-20).
The invisible church, it is claimed, is spiritual, mystical, and incorporate; nut, again, the church in the Bible isa visible, functioning body authorized to do God’s business in the earth, (Mk. 13:34; Lu. 19:13; Acts 1:15-26; 6:1-7: 1 Cor. 5:7-13: Gal. 6:1; 1 Tim. 6:3; Jas. 5:19-20).
Another error with this view is that the so-called invisible church cannot “fall away” because it is composed of only saved people, some of whom have already gone to heaven; whereas we see in the Bible and Christian history that the actual visible church did indeed fall away on several occasions: and needed to be revived and restored (2 Kg. 22:8-20; 23:1-30; Jer. 2:20-37; 18:1-17; Ezek. 37:1-14; Mt. 21:33-43; Acts3:21; 20:29; 2 Cor. 11:2-3, Gal. 3:1-3: 4:19; Rev. 2:5).
The invisible or spiritual church therefore cannot be the church of the Bible; for the Bible church has in fact always been spotted with backsliders, false teachers, and corrupt persons who “crept [into the church] unawares” to corrupt it (Gal. 2:4; 2 Pet. 2:1-3; Jude 4:3 Jn. 9-10). And so it is also in this present moment: the Bible church is imperfect, and will continue to be imperfect until that glorious day when God’s people will be “gathered together in one” and the prophetic promise will be fulfilled, namely, that a great shaking will terrify the sinners and hypocrites in Zion and the church will be purified and perfected (Is. 33:14-16; Heb. 12:22-28). Only then will the church-bride be worthy to be presented to Christ in glory “without spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing” (Eph. 5:27; see also 2 Cor. 11:2; Col. 1:28; 1 Thess. 4:16-18; Rev. 19. 7-8).
That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
(Ephesians 5.27)
Clearly, then, the differences between the real visible church of the Bible and the so-called invisible church necessitate two different churches. We conclude, then, that since there is only one true church in the Bible, and that one is visible, corporate, and universal (Acts 15:1-28; 16:4-5; Rom. 12:5; 1 Cor. 12:12-13: Eph. 2:14-16, 19-22; 3:6; 4:4-6; see also Song 6:8-10), the invisible or spiritual church is exposed for what it is: a theological fiction; a mere whim of human imagination; a product of sophistication mixed with twisted interpretations of the Scriptures.
The actual historical church of the Bible has a former and latter glory (Hag. 2:1-9), whereas the so-called invisible church- because it is supposedly mystical and spiritual in nature – transcends these distinctions thus, accordingly, the invisible or imaginary church must be static by nature, for it exists in a perpetual state of glory; it does not move from imperfection to perfection. Again, this proves the invisible church to be a merely a theological fiction- a myth! For the church in the Bible is plainly imperfect, and yet is called and destined to be perfected (Song 6:8-10; 2 Cor. 3:18; Eph. 5:26-27; Phil. 3:12-16; Col. 1:28; Rev. 19:7-8).
It is purported by evangelical Christians that the invisible church is entered by the new birth and visible congregations are formed by some external means such as baptism or enrollment. But, as we will see in a moment, the Bible church is formed locally and universally on the ground of covenant administered subsequently to the new birth. It is asserted also by evangelicals that the invisible church has no intra-discipline between its mystical members nor between its independent congregations. But plainly the Bible church was established by Christ for this very purpose (Mt, 18:15-20; Jn. 20:23; 1 Cor. 5:1-13; Gal. 6:1-2).
The invisible church is apparently a historical, or at least indefinite regarding origin; whereas the visible church has a distinct historical origin, beginning with Christ and the Twelve Apostles on Mount Hattin near the Sea of Galilee in the New Testament (Mk. 3:13-16; Lu. 6:12-17): and originating in the former dispensation on Mount Sinai (Ex.19:5-8; 24:3-8; Jer. 2:2; Ezek. 16:8; and compare with Acts 7:38; 1 Cor. 10:1-12; Eph. 2:11-20; Heb. 3:1-6; 1 Pet. 2:9).
It is plain to see that the proponents of the invisible church myth have reduced their hypothesis to the point of absurdity; for, as we have seen, the Scriptures speak of one visible church---“the church in the wilderness” established at Mount Sinai in the Old Testament under Moses (Ex. 19:5-8: 24:3-8; Acts 7:38); then was restored and perfected by Jesus under the terms of the New Covenant: and “purchased with [His] own blood” at Calvary (Mt. 5:1-7, 29; Jer. 31:31-33; Acts 15:13-17; 20:28; Eph. 1:14; Heb.3:5-6; 8:6-13; 1 Pet. 2:9).
The New Testament church is thus made up of believing Jews and Gentiles united internally through the Spirit on the basis of faith and the blood of Christ, and united outwardly as a visible body on the bases of the teachings of Christ and the apostles (Mt. 28:19-20; Acts 2:42; Eph. 2:11-20; 3:6; Rom. 11:1-32; Heb. 3:1-6; 9:11-22).
Now because the distinguishing marks of identification between the so-called invisible church and the Bible church are irreconcilable, they prove to be two different churches rather than, as it is claimed, simply two dimensions of the same church. It is plain to see that the church of the Bible is a concrete reality established in history; whereas the so-called invisible or spiritual church was hatched into existence by fanciful imagination and warped interpretations of the Scripture influenced by demonic powers.
Accordingly, since there is only one church in the Bible, we are forced to choose between the so-called invisible or mystical body of Christ and actual church we see operating in the Scriptures, the latter of which is destined to be perfected and to fulfill the hundreds of prophecies concerning it, including the mission that Christ assigned to it before He ascended back to the Father (Ps. 45:9-14; 48:2-5, 8, 12-14; 87:2-3; Prov. 4:18; 16:18-19; 28:19-20; Song 6:8-10, 13; Is. 60:1-5; Eph. 4:11-16; 5:27; Heb. 12:22-28; Rev. 19:7-8; 21:2, 9-11).
We are convinced that sincere and conscientious believers are presently being called out of the chaos and rebellion of “Mystery, Babylon the Great” (Rev. 18:4; see also Is. 52:11; 2 Cor. 6:14-17; 7:1) and are being joined together to stand uncompromisingly on the solid foundation of Christ and His doctrine; knowing that this choice will be scorned and ridiculed by apostate religious groups and secular states influenced by the spirit of antichrist and powers of darkness. Notwithstanding the opposition, true and courageous believers will encourage and console one another on the bases of God’s glorious promises in the holy Scriptures and stand together as a peculiar people on the wisdom of the ancient axiom: “it is better to be divided by truth than united in error!” (cf. Ex. 23:1; 1 Sam. 8:4-8; Mt. 18:7; Acts 20:30; Rom. 15:4; 1 Cor. 11:19; 1 Tim. 4:1; 2 Pet. 2:1-2).
The actual historical church of the Bible has a former and latter glory (Hag. 2:1-9), whereas the so-called invisible church- because it is supposedly mystical and spiritual in nature – transcends these distinctions thus, accordingly, the invisible or imaginary church must be static by nature, for it exists in a perpetual state of glory; it does not move from imperfection to perfection. Again, this proves the invisible church to be a merely a theological fiction- a myth! For the church in the Bible is plainly imperfect, and yet is called and destined to be perfected (Song 6:8-10; 2 Cor. 3:18; Eph. 5:26-27; Phil. 3:12-16; Col. 1:28; Rev. 19:7-8).
It is purported by evangelical Christians that the invisible church is entered by the new birth and visible congregations are formed by some external means such as baptism or enrollment. But, as we will see in a moment, the Bible church is formed locally and universally on the ground of covenant administered subsequently to the new birth. It is asserted also by evangelicals that the invisible church has no intra-discipline between its mystical members nor between its independent congregations. But plainly the Bible church was established by Christ for this very purpose (Mt, 18:15-20; Jn. 20:23; 1 Cor. 5:1-13; Gal. 6:1-2).
The invisible church is apparently a historical, or at least indefinite regarding origin; whereas the visible church has a distinct historical origin, beginning with Christ and the Twelve Apostles on Mount Hattin near the Sea of Galilee in the New Testament (Mk. 3:13-16; Lu. 6:12-17): and originating in the former dispensation on Mount Sinai (Ex.19:5-8; 24:3-8; Jer. 2:2; Ezek. 16:8; and compare with Acts 7:38; 1 Cor. 10:1-12; Eph. 2:11-20; Heb. 3:1-6; 1 Pet. 2:9).
It is plain to see that the proponents of the invisible church myth have reduced their hypothesis to the point of absurdity; for, as we have seen, the Scriptures speak of one visible church---“the church in the wilderness” established at Mount Sinai in the Old Testament under Moses (Ex. 19:5-8: 24:3-8; Acts 7:38); then was restored and perfected by Jesus under the terms of the New Covenant: and “purchased with [His] own blood” at Calvary (Mt. 5:1-7, 29; Jer. 31:31-33; Acts 15:13-17; 20:28; Eph. 1:14; Heb.3:5-6; 8:6-13; 1 Pet. 2:9).
The New Testament church is thus made up of believing Jews and Gentiles united internally through the Spirit on the basis of faith and the blood of Christ, and united outwardly as a visible body on the bases of the teachings of Christ and the apostles (Mt. 28:19-20; Acts 2:42; Eph. 2:11-20; 3:6; Rom. 11:1-32; Heb. 3:1-6; 9:11-22).
Now because the distinguishing marks of identification between the so-called invisible church and the Bible church are irreconcilable, they prove to be two different churches rather than, as it is claimed, simply two dimensions of the same church. It is plain to see that the church of the Bible is a concrete reality established in history; whereas the so-called invisible or spiritual church was hatched into existence by fanciful imagination and warped interpretations of the Scripture influenced by demonic powers.
Accordingly, since there is only one church in the Bible, we are forced to choose between the so-called invisible or mystical body of Christ and actual church we see operating in the Scriptures, the latter of which is destined to be perfected and to fulfill the hundreds of prophecies concerning it, including the mission that Christ assigned to it before He ascended back to the Father (Ps. 45:9-14; 48:2-5, 8, 12-14; 87:2-3; Prov. 4:18; 16:18-19; 28:19-20; Song 6:8-10, 13; Is. 60:1-5; Eph. 4:11-16; 5:27; Heb. 12:22-28; Rev. 19:7-8; 21:2, 9-11).
We are convinced that sincere and conscientious believers are presently being called out of the chaos and rebellion of “Mystery, Babylon the Great” (Rev. 18:4; see also Is. 52:11; 2 Cor. 6:14-17; 7:1) and are being joined together to stand uncompromisingly on the solid foundation of Christ and His doctrine; knowing that this choice will be scorned and ridiculed by apostate religious groups and secular states influenced by the spirit of antichrist and powers of darkness. Notwithstanding the opposition, true and courageous believers will encourage and console one another on the bases of God’s glorious promises in the holy Scriptures and stand together as a peculiar people on the wisdom of the ancient axiom: “it is better to be divided by truth than united in error!” (cf. Ex. 23:1; 1 Sam. 8:4-8; Mt. 18:7; Acts 20:30; Rom. 15:4; 1 Cor. 11:19; 1 Tim. 4:1; 2 Pet. 2:1-2).
Written By: Bishop Wade H. Phillips
Zion Publishing House
Copyright (c) 2025
Zion Publishing House
Copyright (c) 2025
