I came across this recently:
" ...a knowlege of the history of doctrine ( teaching) supports the Bible's witness to the triumph of the church. Through times of duress and trial, the people of God have been preserved and have steadfastly proclaimed the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. The devil has employed every strategy to destroy the church; armies have marched against it; unbelieving scholarship has relentlessly assaulted it; internal bickering has torn it; and martyrdom has depleted its ranks from time to time. Yet the church marches forward in triumphal anticipation of the great consummation when the kingdoms of the world will be put under Christ's feet and when the bride, without spot or blemish, will be given to the Bridegroom. "
This thought encourages me especially through all the discussions of church models that I have read about.
Page 13 Our Legacy John Hannah
