Though I love good books on the history of Baptists and our forefathers known under other names, I do not need such books to believe that the Lord’s true churches have continued from the time of the establishment of the first one on earth until the present day. I rejoice in Christ’s precious promise of perpetuity found in the text above.

That promise is that the gates of hell cannot withstand the progress of the Lord’s churches as they march on toward their final glory in the eternal ages. This verse does not present the church in a defensive posture. Rather, a study of this verse in the Greek language shows that it is the gates of hell that are in a defensive position. Try as Satan has, he has not been able to snuff out the existence of the Lord’s true churches. In every age God has been glorified in Christ through the churches belonging to him. Ephesians 3:21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

The wiles, which Satan and his cohorts have contrived against us have been many but still, scattered across this earth, there are those who continue to earnestly contend for the faith once delivered to the saints. Having failed to accomplish his goal in the crucifixion of Christ, Satan sought other means. Had he understood God’s great redemptive plan he would have had nothing to do with the crucifixion of Christ. 1 Corinthians 2:7-8 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: 8 Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.

Satan tried persecuting the Lord’s churches but he only succeeded in scattering many who went into other areas and formed churches such as the one in Antioch. He used one Saul of Tarsus, not knowing that this man was a chosen vessel of God who would be regenerated and converted and would become a great missionary. Satan has tried compromise and yet there are those uncompromising churches who continued on contending for the once delivered faith. Satan tried prosperity and many were lured into the Laodecian error. Satan has tried the church growth movement and it succeeds in the mind of some but still there are those who contend on for the faith. Satan has, at various times, tried extremism and that has destroyed some churches. Some have seemingly dedicated themselves to unchurching and “unBaptisting” all the churches they can. Though some individual churches have been destroyed others go on down the road contending for God’s word as our only rule of faith and practice and rejecting man-concocted requirements in church administration.

Why is this? Jesus promised a perpetual existence for his churches. His promise has not failed. The gates of Hell cannot prevail. Thank God for this precious promise of perpetuity.