Christian Doctrine For Everyman

LAST WEEK In our last session, we completed Part VII, THE DOCTRINE OF THE CHRISTIAN LIFE. In those studies will examined: The Christian Life The Christian Life The Mission and Work of the Christian The Mission and Work of the Christian The Doctrine of Sanctification The Doctrine of Sanctification Christian Assurance Christian Assurance

Our study of Christian Assurance included three ways to be assured of our salvation: By Knowledge – Romans 10:17 By Knowledge – Romans 10:17 Through Examination – 2 Peter 1:10 Through Examination – 2 Peter 1:10 Through Surrender – John 15:5 Through Surrender – John 15:5 We also learned of three tests of assurance: 1.The Moral Test – are we walking worthy 2.The Social Test – do we love His people 3.The Doctrinal Test – do we believe His Word Tonight we will began a new session:

PART VIII THE DOCTRINE OF THE CHURCH

SESSION #41 The Nature Of the CHURCH (Part 1)

Christianity is a relationship religion. Salvation not only placed us in a relation with Jesus, but with all others who have received His gift of salvation. Christians are the “called out” people of God. We are not only called to be separated from the world, but to live a life in common with each other. The Bible calls this “assembly” of God’s people the New Testament CHURCH, whose Head and Owner is Jesus.

There is much confusion about what is the “church.” The word is on the name of most houses of worship, but is the building “the church?” Our Study book suggests that it is not the universal mass of all believers, but this is a debated issue. Many adopt the concept of the capital “C” church, as the entire Body of Christ. This is to distinguish it from the local assemblies, known as the small “c” church or the local church. Our study will be limited to the local church.

A LOCAL BODY Our Study book is correct in saying that the word “church” in the Bible, is never used to refer to a building. There are times the word is used of a specific church or a group of regional churches. However, it is never used in the plural to identify or designate a building or organization. Thus, a New Testament church is a local group of believers, or the local congregation of believers.

A VISIBLE BODY The Greek word translated church in the New Testament is “ekklesia” which is a noun. The verb form “ekkaleo” was used to “call out” or “to summon.” The noun form refers to the assembly of those who are called out. Originally, the word was often used for political or governmental functions such as a legislative assembly. It was also used of calling together common people.

In the Old Testament after the exile, the people of God would assemble in the synagogue for study, worship and fellowship because the temple had been destroyed. In the New Testament, when a larger number of Gentiles came to faith, a problem arose. Desiring not to be associated with Jewish religion, the word ekklesia begin to be used as they assembled in houses and other places. While the temple and the synagogue were restricted, the church was visible.

The word church (ekklesia) is used some 114 times in the New Testament. Paul used the word 64 times and it is used 15 times by John in Revelation and 3 times in his letters. Jesus used the word only 2 times, but what He said was profound (Matthew 16:18 & 18:17). When our Lord and the Apostles used this word to describe His church they intended to describe a visible group of people gathered together for a specific purpose.

MAKING IT MAKE SENSE

Perhaps the best way to make the nature of the church make sense, is through the many symbolic and metaphorical expressions the Bible ascribes to the church. These terms can help us gain spiritual insight of the relationship between Jesus and the believer as well as each other. We will look at only 6.

The Body Of Christ Ephesians 1:22–23 (ESV) And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all. The church is corporately referred to as the body with Christ as the head. The other body parts are connected to each other.

The Household Of God Ephesians 2:19 (ESV) So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, The members of the church are united by the blood of Jesus into one household.

The Building Of God Ephesians 2:20–22 (KJV) And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit. The corner stone not only completed the building; it holds it together.

The Family Of God 2 Corinthians 6:17–18 (ESV) Therefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; then I will welcome you, and I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty.” The church is referred to as God’s family; we are all His sons and daughters.

The Branches Of God John 15:5 (ESV) I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. The church has an intimate and dependent relationship to the Lord, the same as a vine and its branches. There is no life, no production and no purpose of the church without Jesus.

The Bride Of Christ Revelation 21:2 (ESV) And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband Revelation 21:9 (ESV) Then came one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues and spoke to me, saying, “Come, I will show you the Bride, the wife of the Lamb.” We are the “bride;” not the “wife.”

STUDY ASSIGNMENT Finish reading, PART VIII, “ THE NATURE OF THE CHURCH (PART 2), Session 42, page 85. Then answer the following questions : 1.The New Testament church is composed of whom? 2.The New Testament church is not an organization; it is a what?