The Gates of Hell?

[Esaias]

In the other thread an idea was put forward: Jesus said the gates of hell would not prevail against the church, and this means there would be a continuous, visible, historically identifiable church on the earth for all time from the apostles' days to the present. (By the term "church" I mean an assembly of truly regenerate believers holding correct doctrine regarding salvation.)

I deny that is what Jesus meant.

I challenge those who believe that to come here and prove it. Prove that the gates of hell not prevailing against the church = a continuous, visible, historical church from the 1st century till now, and identify that church for us.

Then, I will refute your argument(s). In the process, I will prove what He meant, from Scripture.