Great Doctrines of the Bible
Lesson 21
The Church
Introduction
Many pastors and teachers tend to equate the local church with that which
the Epistles call “the body” and “the bride” of
Christ. While scripture fully recognizes the existence and importance
of local churches, it is imperative that we see and understand the
difference between churches and THE CHURCH, the “Mystery” which
in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men” (Ephesians
3:5). Many professing Christians are members of local assemblies, but
only possessors of salvation are members of “THE CHURCH ” which
is His body…” (Ephesians 1:23).
It is not the purpose of this lesson merely to show the differences
between the local and universal church, but to teach the origin, value
and purpose
of both and the future glory of THE CHURCH which Christ “purchased
with His own blood” (Acts 20:28).
Importance of this Lesson
- It
is important to know that God has purposed to make known His “Manifold
wisdom” to the principalities and powers of this world through
THE CHURCH (Ephesians 3:10).
- It is important to realize that if you are
born again, you are a part of “the bride,” espoused to
Christ
(2 Corinthians 11:2), and are being prepared for a wedding (Ephesians
5:27). The world sees only organized religion that may often collapse
or become corrupt. What it fails to see is that it is the universal
and triumphant church against which the “gates of hell will not prevail” (Matthew
16:18).
- It is important not only that you belong to some local church,
but also that you are a part of that vast army of blood-washed
saints for
which Christ gave His life (Ephesians 5:25).
- It is important to know
exactly what THE CHURCH is and what the Bible teaches about it,
since the Roman Catholic Church and various other
religious bodies claim to be the one true Church of God on this
earth.
The Lesson
I. THE FUNDAMENTAL CONCEPT OR BASIC MEANING OF THE WORD CHURCH
- The
basic meaning of the word “church” in the New Testament
is found in two Greek words:
- KURIAKON—meaning “that which belongs
to the Lord.” Illustrations: 1Corinthians 11:20, “The
Lord’s Supper”; Romans
14:8, “WE are the Lord’s.”
- EKKLESIA—(used 111
times in the New Testament). It is made up of “ek”,
meaning out of,” and
“kaleo”, meaning “to call.” So the word actually means, “that
which has been called out from.”
- Saints, all born again believers,
are the “called out ones” (Romans
8:30; 2Corinthians 6:17).
- THE CHURCH consists of believers in
the Lord Jesus Christ who have been called out from this world
(Acts 2:47; John 15:19).
- Both Greeks and Jews commonly used
the word “ekklesia” long
before New Testament times. The Greeks employed it to mean
the regular assembly of the citizens of a free city-state
called out by the herald to discuss and
determine matters of public interest (Acts 19:38-39). They
applied the word “congregation” or
community of Israel as the “called out” people
of God (Acts 7:38).
- To the Greeks the word meant a self-governing,
democratic society. To the Jews it meant a theocratic society
that
was subject to a
heavenly King.
Both
concepts had a definite bearing on its use in the New Testament
where the word “ekklesia,” as
applied to the church, referred to “a theocratic
democracy, a society of believers on the Lord Jesus Christ,
who, while
free, are
ever conscious
that their freedom springs from obedience to the Lord.”
II. FORMER USE OF EKKLESIA IN THE OLD TESTAMENT
- Originally
the word “ekklesia,” of itself, was actually
used of any called out assembly such as a
gathering for a town meeting (Acts 19:41). Similarly Israel, in the
Old Testament, was called out of Egypt and “assembled” in the
wilderness (Acts 7:38). The Greek translation of the Bible known as Septuagint,
employed “ekklesia” to designate “the congregation
of Israel.”
- Israel was a “church,” meaning that it was an assembly,
a congregation (Leviticus 4:13), called by God to be a holy people
(Leviticus 11:44), but in no sense was it the New Testament Church.
- It is good to bear in mind that THE CHURCH as a building, a temple,
the body and bride of Christ, was a hidden mystery in the Old Testament.
God chose to reveal this mystery primarily through the Apostle Paul
(Ephesians 3:3-10), “How that by revelation he made know unto
me the mystery…” (Romans
16:25-26), “according to the revelation of the mystery, which
was kept secret since the word began….”
III. THE FOUNDATION OF THE NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH
- The first mention
of THE CHURCH in the New Testament is found in Matthew 16:18, where
Christ prophecies THE CHURCH will be built, promises that
it will prevail against the “gates of hell.
- Both the
prophecy and the promise were realized in Acts 1:1-2:47, where we
see the marvelous beginning of the first Christian Church
as it actually existed in Jerusalem.
- Matthew 16:18 has given rise to
various interpretations and to no end of controversy.
- The Roman Catholic
position is that here Christ exalted Peter to supreme authority
above all the
other apostles, that Peter should be absolute and infallible and
that he was the only one on whom the church was to be built. However,
Paul
withstood Peter to his face “because he was to be blamed” (Galatians
2:11). And James, not Peter seems to have greater authority in
the church at Jerusalem (Acts 15:13-21). Certainly, there is not
the slightest
hint
here or anywhere in the scripture that Peter is to have infallible
successors or Popes.
- Some Scholars point to the play on words here
found in the Greek. “Thou
art Peter (petros—a
stone), and upon this rock (petra—a massive ledge or cliff
of rock), “I
will build….” The view taken here is that while Christ
commends Peter for his solid, rock-like confession of faith, it
is actually upon
Christ Himself, who is the massive ROCK, on which the Church will
be built.
- 1Corinthians 3:11, “other foundation can no man
lay than that is laid, which is Jesus
Christ.”
- In 1Peter 2:4-8, Peter, perhaps recalling these
very words of Christ in Matthew 16:18, calls
Christ a “living stone,” “a chief cornerstone,” “a
stone of stumbling” and “a rock of offense.”
- In
Isaiah 28:16, Christ is called “a stone.”
- 1Corinthians
10:4 says, “That ROCK was Christ.”
- A.T. Robertson,
in his Word Studies in The Old Testament, holds that not too
much should be made of the above play on words
since
Christ may
have
spoken to Peter in Aramaic which makes little distinction between “petros” and “petre.” His
view is that the ROCK on which the church is to be built WAS
NOT Peter primarily. Peter was given a revelation from God
that Jesus
was THE CHRIST
or MESSIAH,
the Son of the Living God, which he now boldly and gladly confesses.
The church is to be built on this great confession of faith
and all who forever
afterward
make this same confession will be eternally preserved members
of that church (John 20:31; Acts 16:31; John 8:24).
- Finally,
there are those like Albert Barnes (Barnes Notes of the New
Testament) who hold that the obvious meaning of
the passage
is
that “the rock” refers
to Peter himself, though Christ did not mean (as the Roman
Catholics claim) to exalt Peter above the other apostles. He
was simply saying, “Peter,
you are a rock. I will give to you the honor of laying the
foundation of THE CHURCH among the Jews and Gentiles.” This,
of course was fulfilled in Acts 2:14-36, where Peter opened
the door
to the Jews and Acts
10 where he
offered the Gospel to the Gentiles.
•
There is a sense in which
all of the last three views are correct. Christ is indeed THE
ROCK upon which the faith of all who are part of
THE CHURCH must stand. Also, no one can be a member of THE CHURCH without
confessing that Jesus Christ is the Messiah, the Lord, the Son of the
Living God. And, Peter certainly was given the honor of “founding” THE
CHURCH by opening the door to both Jews and Gentiles. So, let’s
rejoice in the glorious truth and not be contentious about a personal
or technical viewpoint.
- “I will build my church; and the gates
of hell shall not prevail against it.” Two thoughts dominate
here:
- The church here is viewed as a building (Ephesians 2:19-21; 1Peter
2:4-8).
- “The gates of hell” Many teachers present this statement
as representing the forces of evil waging war against the church
and the church prevailing over all such Satanic attacks. While
this, of course,
is true, the word “hell” here is the Greek “hades” which
is the same as the Hebrew “sheol,” which primarily
is the place of the departed, or death. The major thought here
is that “hades” (death)
will not triumph over Christ. He will burst it’s bars and
come forth victorious and that all THE CHURCH, all who place their
faith
in Him need never fear death. Its power has been shattered. Christ
has conquered
it for us (Hebrews 2:14; 1Corinthians 15:54-57).
- Bear in mind always,
that it is the Church for which Christ gave his life (Ephesians
5:25), and “purchased with His own
blood” (Acts
20:28).
IV. THE FORMATION OF THE CHURCH
- In Matthew 16:18 we saw THE CHURCH
prophesied with the promise that it would never fail.
- In Matthew
18:15-18, Christ recognized THE CHURCH to be a functioning, disciplinary
body responsible for judging problems among its members.
- In Matthew
18:20, The Lord indicates that THE CHURCH is wherever two or three
are gathered together in his name.
- In Acts 1:15-2:46, we see the original
church made up of 120 members, choosing Mathias to replace Judas, waiting
in prayer for the promised
power (Luke 24:49; Acts1:8), preaching in various languages, baptizing
converts, and constantly giving themselves to fellowship, prayer,
communion, and Bible study.
- This early church experienced rapid and
enormous growth. Acts 1:15 – 120
people; Acts 2:41 – 3,000 more; Acts 4:4 – 5,000 more.
Acts 4:32 and 5:14 mention the “multitudes” who now were
a part of the church TO WHICH “THE lord added to the church
daily such as should be saved (Acts 2:47). Note that the Lord did
the adding.
As soon as one became a true believer and was born again, he was
automatically
considered part of THE CHURCH. There was no question as to whether
he
should join.
- Actual formation and organization was gradual as needs
developed. In Acts 6:1-4, deacons were appointed and the apostles
gave themselves
to prayer and the study of the Word. Elders were appointed later
for every church (Acts 11:30 and 14:23).
- This early church, while
considered one church, met in various places; in homes (Acts 2:46),
the upper room (Acts 1:13), the temple
(Acts 5:12)
and in synagogues (Acts 13:5).
- This early church had regular hours
to meet: daily (Acts 2:46), each Lord’s Day (Acts 20:7) and to
pray (Acts 3:1, 10:9).
- This early church soon encountered severe persecution
(Acts 8:1). The saints were scattered, establishing churches in various
places – spreading
out from Jerusalem to Judea, Samaria and other parts of the word
(Acts 1:8). Antioch in Syria became the head of the Gentile church
(Acts
13:1), while Jerusalem remained the head of the Jewish Church (Acts
15:2-21).
V. THE FORMULA (organized make-up) OF THE CHURCH
- It is quite clear
that local churches were formed into organized bodies. As Paul traveled
in his missionary journeys, he established and organized
churches, which he later addressed, in Corinth, Galatia, Thessalonica,
and more.
- 1Corinthians 12-14 reveals that the churches had adopted
certain forms of service. Letters by Paul to Timothy and Titus presume
that organized
congregations of believers existed.
- The actual organizational structure
was kept quite simple.
- To the church at Philippi Paul wrote “To
all saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops
and deacons” (Philippians
1:1). Otherwise, he simply addressed “the saints” or
the “faithful
brethren” in various places.
- Bishop or overseer, elder or presbyter
and pastor were all the same office (cf. Titus 1:5 with 1:7). Also,
Acts 20:17-28 clarifies
that bishop
and elder are the same office. Bishop refers to the function of
the office while elder refers to the man himself. The “Presbytery;” was
made up of elders or pastors. In New Testament days, each church
had more than one elder or pastor. Great stress is placed upon
the qualifications
and appointment of elder (Acts 14:23; Titus1:5-9;
1 Timothy 3:1-7).
- It should be kept in mind that all organizational
structure refers to local churches (1Corinthians 12:28 and Ephesians
4:11).
THE CHURCH
general, or universal, was additionally ministered to by apostles
(Acts 14:14), prophets, evangelists and teachers (Acts 13:1).
- As
for deacons, the earliest evidence of their need and appointment, as
well as purpose, is found in Acts 6:1-6 where “serving
tables” and “studying
the Word,” became separate functions.
VI. THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE CHURCH (Its
membership) – To
belong to the church, the following requirements had to be met: (Know
A-D for
exam.)
- All must repent (Acts 2:38; 3:19;11;18; 17;30).
- Christ must be confessed
as The Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of The Living God, and our Redeemer
(Acts 16:31; Romans 10:9-10; Matthew 16:16-28;
1John 4:15).
- Baptism by immersion in the name of The Triune God was
required as a public evidence of one’s confession of faith in
Christ (Acts 2:38-41; 8:36; 10:47-48; 16:33; 18:8; Matthew 28:19;
Romans 6:3-5).
- Only those genuinely saved and born again became members
in the church (John 3:3-8; Acts 2:47). They were “added to the
Lord” before
being added to THE CHURCH (Acts 5:14; 11:24).
In addition to these requirements, certain things characterized these
early members of THE CHURCH.
- They adhered to the teaching of the apostles
(Acts 2:42).
- They were called “the saints,” the holy,
separated ones (Acts 9:13; Romans 1:7; 16:2;
Ephesians 2:19; 4:12; Jude3).
- They were known as “Christians” or
votaries of the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 11:26; 26:28).
- They were
called “the brethren” (Acts 11:29; 12:17;
Romans 1:13).
- There was to be perfect equality among them (Matthew
23:8-12).
- They were the elect of God (Romans 8:33; 1Peter 1:2;
Colossians 3:12).
VII. THE FEATURES OF THE CHURCH (The ordinances by which the church
was identified.)
•
An ordinance is that which has been decreed or ordained
by God to be practiced by the church. While The Roman Catholic Church,
since the Council
of Trent, declares that Christ sanctioned seven ordinances, The New Testament
reveals but two.
- Baptism – (Matthew 28:19; Acts 8:12; 10:47-48.
)
- The Lord’s Supper – (Matthew 26:26-28; 1Corinthians
11:23-26; Acts 20:7).
VIII. THE FIGURES APPLIED TO THE CHURCH (The names used for
the church that reveal its uniqueness)
- THE CHURCH is given a variety
of names.
- It is seen as “one body” (Colossians 3:15; Ephesians
4:16) having many members (1Corinthians 6:15; 10:17; 12:12-31).
As members
of this one body Christians have a vital relationship to Christ
and to one another.
- This one body is called “the body of Christ” (Ephesians
4:12; Colossians 1:24) of which Christ is “the head” (Ephesians
1:22; 4:15; 5:23; Colossians 1:18). As “the head,” Christ
is seen as the nourisher (Ephesians 4:15-16), protector, provider,
director (Ephesians 5:23-24), its fullness (Ephesians 1:23) and
the cause of its
growth (Colossians 2:19).
- The church is spoken of as a building
(1 Corinthians 3:9,16-17; or temple (Ephesians 2:19-22;
1 Peter 2:4-8). Christ is The Chief Cornerstone (1Peter 2:6) and
foundation (1Corinthians 3:11)
which was laid by the apostles and prophets (1Corinthians 3:10; Ephesians
2:20). This building came to be, and is the dwelling place of the Holy
Spirit on earth (Ephesians 2:22;
1Corinthians 3:16).
- The Church is called “one new man” (Ephesians
2:15), that is, one new body made up of believing Jews and Gentiles.
- The Church is viewed as “the bride of Christ” (2Corinthians
11:2; Ephesians 5:23-25,32). Christ is seen as The Bridegroom (John
3:29; Matthew 25:11-13), to which all believers are espoused
(2 Corinthians 11:2). Christ will come for His bride at “the
rapture” (1Thessalonians
4:11-18), and a great marriage supper will be given at His second
Coming (Revelation 19:7-9).
- These figures or names for the Church
point out the remarkable uniqueness of distinctions of THE CHURCH.
- The
church is not to be confused with the local church.
- The local church
is an organization. THE CHURCH is an organism.
- The local church
is visible. THE CHURCH is invisible.
- The local church is restricted.
THE CHURCH is universal.
- One might join a local church as one
does a lodge, but only those truly saved (Acts 2:47), are united
to THE CHURCH
and are members
of His body (1
Corinthians 12:13). The Lord knoweth them that are His (2 Timothy
2:19). Not all “professors” are “possessors,” and
not all on the membership rolls are in the Lamb’s Book
of Life.
- In the New Testament a local church meant believers
in any one place (1Corinthians 1:2), while THE CHURCH referred
to believers
everywhere
(1Corinthians 15:9;
Galatians 1:13).\
- THE CHURCH is not to be confused with “the
kingdom of heaven” or
Christendom, which is the sphere of Christian profession on
earth.
- While THE CHURCH is part of “the kingdom of
heaven” surely today’s
organized religious system is not THE CHURCH with which Christ
identified Himself (Colossians 1:18), or for which He died
(Ephesians 5:25),
nor is it THE CHURCH
Paul persecuted
(1 Corinthians 15:9).
- In Matthew 16:18, Christ used a new name
for a new institution he was about to establish and clearly
differentiated between
THE CHURCH
and the
kingdom.
- Apostolic writers seldom employed the word “kingdom.” It
is quite evident that, since Pentecost, the primary business
of God has been the
calling and gathering together of His church (Acts 15:14),
and not the building of His kingdom.
- According to the parables
of Matthew 13, the kingdom is made up of the good AND the
bad. The church is made up of
saints alone.
- The Jews rejected the kingdom which will be
set up again when Christ returns (Acts 1:6).
- CHURCH is
not to be confused with Israel, the adulterous “wife” of
Jehovah, who is to repent, be forgiven and restored at the
coming of Christ, and is to become the Lord’s earthly
wife
(Hosea 2:23). The church is a “chaste virgin,” espoused
to Christ alone (2 Corinthians 11:2), and will be the heavenly
bride of
the Lamb (Revelation
19:6-8). (Read Hosea 2:1-23; Isaiah 54:1-10; and Ephesians
5:25-27).
- Finally, 1Corinthians 10:32 differentiates between
Jews, Gentiles and THE CHURCH, revealing that THE CHURCH is
to be considered
a unique entity
in this
world.
IX. FUNCTIONS OF THE LOCAL CHURCH (The duties and activities of the
early church.)
- Apostles – Though not limited to the original
eleven (Paul and Barnabas in Romans 16:7), it was absolutely essential
that an apostle
had been an eyewitness of the risen Lord (Acts 1:22;
1 Corinthians 9:1).
- He must have wrought signs, wonders and mighty
deeds (2 Corinthians 12:12).
- He was especially chosen and ordained
by Christ to minister the gospel (1Corinthians 1:17; 9:16; 2
Corinthians 4:1; Colossians
1:23).
- He was a preacher and a teacher (1Timothy 2:7; 1:11).
- He appointed
elders in the churches (Acts 14:23).
- He had special responsibilities
to the churches to care for (2 Corinthians 11:28), establish
(Acts 16:5) and confirm them (Acts 15:41).
- This office ceased
to exist at the death of the apostles.
- Prophet – This was
not an administrative office.
- He must have special revelation
(Ephesians 3:5).
- He was a messenger to the church to edify
(1Corinthians 14:3-4, 22).
- He helped to found the church (Ephesians
2:20).
- A New Testament prophet was not primarily a fore teller,
but a forth-teller for the edification, exhortation and comfort
of the churches (1Corinthians
14:5).
- It is evident that the church recognized the apostles and
prophets as having greater authority.
- Evangelist and Teacher – (Ephesians
4:ll).
These had special gifts to perfect the saints for the work of the
ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ (Ephesians 4:11-12;
Hebrews 5:12;
2 Timothy 4:4-5).
- Bishops, Elders and/or Pastors (all the same
office).
- They were to feed the church and oversee it (Acts 20:17, 28
and 35; 1 Peter 5:1-2).
- They were to “grow in grace” (2
Peter 3:18) and seek to attain the full measure of the stature
of Christ (Ephesians
4:13).
- They were to evangelize the world with the gospel (Matthew
28:19-20; Acts 1:8; 8:4).
- They were to have fellowship with God
and with one another (1John 1:3-7), “they continued in the
apostles’ doctrine
and fellowship” (Acts
2:42).
- They were to strive for unity (Ephesians 4:3-4,13).
- They were
to exclude and restore members (1Corinthians 5:6-7; 2Corinthians
2;6).
- They were to exercise discipline (Matthew 18:17; 1Corinthians
5:4-5).
- They were to elect their officers (Acts 6:3-7).
- They were to
observe ordinances (1Corinthians 11:20-34), and manage their
affairs
(1 Corinthians 14:40).
- They were to love one another (1Peter 1:22),
pray much (Acts 4:31, 12:5), claim for themselves the power
of the
blessed Holy
Spirit to function
as God ordained and to preach the Gospel to the world
(Acts 1:8; 2 Timothy 1:7; Romans 15:19).
X. THE FUTURE OF THE CHURCH
- THE CHURCH is to be “caught up” to
be with Christ at the rapture, which could be momentarily (1Thessalonians
4:15-18).
- The CHURCH is to be glorified together with Christ as joint-heirs
of God (Romans 8:16-17).
- THE CHURCH will lay aside all evidence of
mortality and corruption and will be clothed with immortality in a “twinkling
of an eye” at
the resurrection, when Christ returns for his own (1Corinthians 15:51-57).
Conclusion: (Learn these two definitions)
- A local church—in the
New Testament sense, is an organization of professing Christians living
usually in one general area who meet
regularly
in Christ’s name to worship, praise, pray, study the Word, give
testimony, baptize converts, partake of the Lord’s Supper, discipline
members, and seek to carry out the Lord’s commissions to evangelize
the world (Acts 13:1-4, 20:7; Matthew 28:19-20; 1Thessalonians 1:8;
Hebrews 10:25; Philippians 4:14-18; 1Corinthians 5:4-5, 14:26).
- THE CHURCH universal,
or body and bride of Christ, is every genuinely born-again believer
in Christ from Pentecost to the Rapture. Every one
of these is united to Christ by the Baptism of the Holy Spirit and
constitutes the temple of the Holy Spirit who indwells the body of
which Christ is
the Head. This church is “one flesh” with Christ, is espoused
to Him as a chaste virgin and will be caught up to be with Him at the
Rapture (Hebrews 12:23; 1 Corinthians 12:12-13; Ephesians 1:22-23;
5:30-33;
2 Corinthians 11:2-4; 1Thessalonians 4:15-18).
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