A Study of the New Testament Church

This year we want to study in detail, what the church is. We live in a religiously divided world The is great debate and misunderstanding about what the church is There are hundreds of denominations and churches in our society And much religious confusion

Even among “brethren” there is disagreement and division So how do we deal with this? How do we find unity that is pleasing to God? Through a study of His word – about His church! Such is our goal this year We want to examine the church of Christ as found in the Bible.

In our study this year: What is the church? How to establish authority with God’s word Becoming part of the church The organization of the church The Christian and the church What is the work of the church The worship of the church The church treasury The purity of the church

In our study this year: The unity of the church What is wrong with denominationalism? Fellowship and the church A study of New Testament congregations How and why did we get where we are? (i.e. apostasy) Current trends and movements

THE CHURCH OF CHRIST (1) What is the Church?

The word church “Church” is from German word, “kirch” and had reference to the place of meeting. This is NOT associated with the definition of the Greek word translated “church” in the Bible.

The word church When many see the word, they think of it as: A building or structure A benevolent society A social club A political or social activist organization A fundraising organization Denominational designator A hierarchy within a religion A temporary substitute for the kingdom to come

The word church From Greek, ἐκκλησία, (ekklēsia) Meaning, “to call out”. In secular Greek usage, reference to an assembling. Acts 19:32,39 & 41 – even describing an unlawful assembly Acts 7:38 – congregation (children of Israel in the wilderness) Hebrews 2:12 – in the midst of the assembly

The word church Typically, when “church” is used, about 110 times, it has reference to the body of Christ. The Bible’s distinction of “church” is a noble attempt to recognize its use in a sacred setting (hence the distinction).

The word church We sometimes define the term as the called out body of Christ (called out of the world and into fellowship with Him) or the assembly of those belonging to Christ

The word church The term “church” is never used of an individual – always a collective noun (i.e. body, flock, army, orchestra, etc.)

What is the church? When the word is used, it is descriptive of the body of Christ in one of two forms – universal or local

Has no earthly organization What is the church? Universal, the body of all who are saved – in a saved relationship with God Has no earthly organization Matthew 16:18 Ephesians 3:10 Ephesians 3:21 Hebrews 12:22-23

What is the church? Locally, descriptive of a group of the saved who join together in an “ordered, arranged and organized” way work and worship as the body of Christ

What is the church? Locally, it can be a particular congregation 1 Corinthians 1:2 Colossians 4:16 – Laodicea 1 Thessalonians 1:1 Revelation 2:1 - Ephesus Or it can be multiple congregations Galatians 1:2 Revelation 1:4 Acts 16:5 Romans 16:16

Locally, some passages refer to the work within a congregation What is the church? Locally, some passages refer to the work within a congregation Matthew 18:17 James 5:14 1 Timothy 3:5

What is the church? Sometimes used in a more general sense, but with the distinction between the universal and local church understood and maintained Acts 9:31 (singular – NASB) Galatians 1:13 1 Corinthians 10:32 1 Timothy 3:15

Sometimes used as descriptive of a gathering (the congregation) What is the church? Sometimes used as descriptive of a gathering (the congregation) 1 Corinthians 11:18 1 Corinthians 14:4, 5, 12, 19

What is the church? The word is NEVER used of an ORGANIZATION on earth larger than the local church Never does it describe the building where we meet! It has been emphasized that each local church exists as if it were the only one on earth Answering directly to Christ (based upon His word)!

The authority of the church in the first century It recognized Christ as its head – Matthew 28:18-20, Ephesians 1:22-23, 1 Corinthians 3:9-11 It respected the message of the apostles – 1 Corinthians 14:37, 2 Thessalonians 2:15

The authority of the church in the first century It distinguished between the Old and New Covenants – Hebrews, Romans, Galatians, etc. It respected the silence of scripture – 1 Peter 4:11 1 Corinthians 4:6

The authority of the church in the first century If we desire to be like the church we read of in the Bible, we must respect that authority in all we do! It was united doctrinally – 1 Corinthians 14:17 1 Corinthians 7:17 cf. Colossians 4:16

Let us resolve to be the church we read of in the Bible in all that we are and do