6/3 So just what is ‘the Church’ in Biblical Christian Foundations?
So far, we have set out some terms for mutual discussion when we set our our Christian Foundations. We have also stated a ‘Reader’s Comments’ for those who wish to contribute to the discussion on the ‘Counterfiet Religious System’. In this post, we introduce a familiar concept – one that influences all Jesus Followers.
A. Jesus is coming back for a Bride
It has always been part of God’s agenda to bring a Family to Himself. The Old Testament is full of this principle. We see His plan for a special people in Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and in setting Israel apart for Himself.
Jesus is also coming back for a collection of people who are looking for Him. The Lord Jesus wants these people to be so intimate with Him, He describes them as His ‘bride’ – a symbol of purity, beauty and maturity. Jesus, as the head of the Church, is preparing this bride for Himself through the Holy Spirit.
B. Joining the family: the church, local and universal
1. So What is the ‘Church’ for Jesus Followers?
When we speak of the Church (Greek: ‘ekklesia’), or the ‘called out ones’, we mean an assembly of 
people, a group of believers who have chosen to follow Jesus. The church has been here since the day of Pentecost, 1 Peter 2:9. The church is to be that righteous ‘nation’, who would keep God’s truth in their hearts rather than just follow laws, Romans 2:28-29, Galatians 6:15-16.
2. The church was and is a local community of believers, Acts 8:1, 13:1, 18:22, 20:17, Romans 16:1, 1 Corinthians 1:2, Colossians 4:16. 1Thessalonians 1:1, Revelations 2-3.
It is also a global, worldwide group, Matthew 16:18, 1 Corinthians 10:32, Ephesians 5:25, Colossians 1:18. The church consists of those who obey Jesus – regardless of nation, race or culture. They have become united as ‘a new thing’ that God created in the Earth, filled with His New Creation people. They are to be the ‘body of Christ’, the ‘Bride of Christ’ and the ‘Living temple of God’.
3. We joined the church when we ‘changed sides’
True membership in the Church Universal begins with accepting Jesus as the Christ and continues as we learn what “in His Body” means. We become part of One Church, acquiring a new spiritual family and new responsibilities, Ephesians 2:19-22, Colossians 1:16, 1 Peter 2:9-10.
Some groups require membership by a formal ceremony. Others require you to take formal lectures and be ‘confirmed’. This allows the participant to join and take communion within their group. Still others consider membership optional or do not require membership at all.
C. Acts 2:42-47 sums up what the church does
1. They usually met in homes: Romans 16:5, Colossians 4:15, Philippians 2.
2. Held worship services: Acts 20:7-11, 1 Corinthians 14:26-28, Hebrews 10:25.
3. God’s gifts were used in the church body, 1 Corinthians 12:4-11.
4. The groups shared in the ‘Sacraments’:
a. Baptism – Acts 18:8, 1 Corinthians 12:13,
b. The Lord’s Supper – Acts 2:42, Acts 20:7, 1 Corinthians 11:23-33
5. They experienced unity:
a. By baptism Into one Body – Romans 12:5, Ephesians 4:13,
b. As one flock with one Shepherd – John 10:16.
6. They enjoyed Fellowship: Acts 2:42, 1 John 1:3-7.
7. They helped one another: Acts 4:32-37, 2 Corinthians 8:1-5.
8. They evangelised others for the Lord: Romans 1:8, 1Thessalionians 1:8-10.
9. The people grew in numbers: Acts 4:4, 5:14, 16:5.
10. They were organized: Acts 14:23, Philemon 1:1, Titus 1:5-9, 1 Timothy 3-15. The church has offices and a government system. The Apostles and prophets form the foundation of the church, but Jesus Christ is to be the chief cornerstone, Ephesians 2:20.
11. Leaders were to be servant hearted.
12. The Holy Spirit gave the gifts to be used to build up the body rather than a position of power and fame.
13. The early church had problems: 1 Corinthians 1:11-12, 11:17-22, Galatians 3:1-5.
14. They exercised Discipline: Matthew 18:15-17, 1 Corinthians 5:1-5, 2 Thessalonians 3:11-15, Titus 3:10-11.
D. What the church is not:
The church is not a material building but the people who are joined together in Jesus. It is not one special denomination, but many groups joined together by the One Spirit. We have One Lord, One Spirit, One hope of eternity, One baptism. In fact, more unites us than can divide the true church.
E. The reason for the Church’s existence
There are four main reasons why the church exists:
1. To minister to the Lord, Psalms 29:1-2, Matthew 4:10, John 4:20-24, Revelations 4:11; to glorify, to worship, to relate to and give pleasure to God. “The chief end of man is to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever.” Therefore our first aim is an upward connection and then outward in service. The ‘doing’ comes out of the ‘being’ in Him.
2. To edify and minister to the other believers, the Saints, Ephesians 4:9-16, Colossians 2: 7, 1 Corinthians 12. The ‘fivefold ministry’ gift people are to educate the body of Christ – so they can enter into their own ministry. These are people who are given by the Head of the church as ‘gifts’ to the whole body of Christ.
3. To reach out to those touched by the Holy Spirit, to the ‘sinners’, the world and those who have wandered away, Matthew 24:14, 28:18-20. In 1994, 94% of ordained ministry reached the 10% in the World who speak English, however only 6% reach the 90% non-English speaking world. (‘The Church in the New Testament, page 300.)
4. To reflect God’s light and authority, to conquer Satan and His kingdom, to bring about Satan’s final downfall, Matthew 16:15-20, Ephesians 6:10-20.
God meant for the church to be a dramatic demonstration of His marvellous wisdom and perfect plan of reconciliation. He has united two hostile, diverse groups – the Jews and the Gentiles – into one body of people. We have been saved and united by Christ’s blood, Acts 20:28, Ephesians 5:5:26-27.
“His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made know to the rulers and authorities in heavenly realms….…”, Ephesians 3:10.
Conclusions:
Too many people see the ‘church’ as a particular group of people who meet in a Baptist building…..or a Catholic building. This is not ‘the mystery’ Paul spoke of. Jesus has united far more than a denomination, a ‘clicky group’ or even a movement.
You became part of ‘the church’ family when you were adopted into His family. To reject ‘the church’ is to reject His plans and His ‘bride’. He is ‘inclusive’ rather than ‘exclusive’ in His sacrifice. In fact, the whole world is ‘saved’; they just don’t realise it!
Isn’t it about time we took up that position and got on with what the Holy Spirit calls us to be … His people? He won’t recognise man-made denominational fences when He sees His beloved people. He wants to build us so let’s join Him in that!
Susanne Fengler, Blog Author
www.christianfoundations.jesus-treeoflife.info/blog
Tags: What is the Church?
Filed under: Challenges to the Christian Faith
Leave a Reply