Ecclesiology

Excursus: Perseverance of the Saints Can a truly converted person lose their salvation? All genuine believers will persevere until the end. Jesus’ parable of the sower in Matthew 13:3-8

Parable of the Sower 4 Types of Soil: Soil along the Path Rocky ground Thorny ground Good soil

Parable of the Sower What the 4 types of Soils represent: Soil Along the Path = Those who hear the gospel but never respond Rocky Soil = no depth to their faith Thorny Soil = the pleasures of the world chokes out the desires of God Good soil = true saving faith,

Two Views Semi – Pelagians believe that one can lose their salvation. The Reformed position believes that one CANNOT lose their salvation.

But what about Hebrews 6 Hebrews 6:1-6 seems to suggest that a truly converted person can lose their salvation. What does the author mean by those “enlightened”? The Author probably has in view people who did repent, but now are no longer of the faith

But what about Hebrews 6 What the author has in mind is possibly what Paul discusses in Galatians 3:10-14. There Paul discusses those who believe circumcision is a necessary part of salvation. They were in effect repudiating the finished work of Christ.

Perseverance of the Saints Any Christian is capable of a serious and radical fall. The Question remains: Does a true believer have a full and final fall? Two examples: Judas (John 13:21) and Peter (Luke 22:31-32) We are kept by Christ.

Ecclesiology Ekklesia – Greek translated as “church” Ek – out of or From Kaleo – to call. Ekklesia means “the called-out ones” The Church is Jesus’ idea

Biblical Images of the Church Invisible Church – Those who make up the true church of Jesus Christ, those who are truly regenerate. Visible Church – body of all who claim to be in the state of Grace and who identify with the church

Biblical Images of the Church The Bride of Christ – The Body of Christ is called the Bride of Christ. Catholic – Not Roman Catholic, but catholic meaning universal Apostolic – Sent by the authority of Christ

Marks of a True Church Profession of the Gospel Ordinances – Baptism and Lord’s Supper 7 Sacraments in the Roman Catholic Church: Baptism, Confirmation, Penance, Marriage, Holy Orders, Last Rites (Extreme Unction), and The Eucharist Discipline

The Ordinances – The Lord’s Supper And Baptism Seen as being ordained by Christ in Scripture.

The Ordiances – The Lord’s Supper Views: Transubstantiation = Becomes the flesh and blood of Jesus This is what Rome called the ”double miracle” Consubstantiation = Real presence of Jesus Symbolic The Baptist tradition takes the Symbolic View

The Lord’s Supper Instituted by Jesus in the Gospel’s At the Last Supper, Jesus breaks bread and drinks wine with His disciples. Jesus says “Take, eat, for this is my body which is broken for you. Jesus says, “Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sin.”

The Lord’s Supper The Baptist tradition takes the symbolic view of the Lord’s Supper The Lord’s Supper is a stark reminder of the sacrifice of Jesus. 1 Corinthians 11:17-34 Paul addresses a problem with the Corinthian Church

The Lord’s Supper The Corinthian church was taking the Lord’s Supper in an unworthy manner. The Lord’s Supper symbolizes the unity of the church. The Corinthians made a mockery of this act.

The Lord’s Supper Roman Catholics, Lutherans and Catholics all agree that Christ is truly present in the Lord’s Supper, the debate concerns how.

The Lord’s Supper The Time Factor: Past - a remembrance of the Lord’s death for sinners (1 Cor. 11:23-25) Present – the benefit of meeting the risen Christ in person at His table every time we participate in the Supper. Future – An anticipation of Jesus’ promised return. (Luke 22:18)

The Ordinances - Baptism Jesus in Matthew 28:19-20, ”Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them…” John the Baptist baptized in preparation for the coming of the Messiah. The Coming of Jesus marked the coming of the new covenant.

The Ordinances – Baptism Covenants are ratified by signs. (ex. Noah = rainbow, Abraham = circumcision) The Sign of the New Covenant? The Baptism of Jesus. Baptism is an outward sign of an inward transformation. Baptism is a sign of our regeneration, that we have been raised from spiritual death to new life.

The Ordinances – Baptism Baptism points to the Holy Spirit who does the transformation and our participation in the death and resurrection of Christ.

What about Infant Baptism? There are many traditions (Presbyterians, Roman Catholics) who baptize infants. Roman Catholics baptize infants to cleanse them from original sin Presbyterians baptize to dedicate them to the Lord in hopes they will hear the gospel and respond.

Church Discipline One of the least talked about areas in ecclesiology is church discipline Jesus talks about it in Matthew 18. Paul tells the Corinthian church to expel the man who has committed sexual immorality. If church discipline is done correctly, then it is an opportunity for the Gospel.

Church Governance How does a church govern itself? What is Church Governance? The way the church is run and decisions are made.

Church Governance There are three main offices in the Church: Apostle, Elders and Deacons Definition of Church Officer: Someone who has been publicly recognized as having the right and responsibility to perform certain functions for the benefit of the whole church.

Apostles Apostles had the unique kind of authority in church: authority to speak and write words which were “words of God.” Qualifications: Having seen Jesus after the resurrection with one’s own eyes Acts 1:22 1 Cor. 9:1 Having been specifically commissioned as his apostle. Matthew 10:1-7 Acts 1:24-26

Apostles 12 Apostles in the Gospels. Judas Iscariot was replaced by Matthias after his suicide Paul The Apostles had a unique role in the early church. The Role or Office of Apostle no longer exists in the church today Why? Because no one has witnessed the Resurrected Jesus and no one has been commissioned as an apostle

Elders Acts 14:23: “When they had appointed elders…” The Greek word is episkopos The New Testament argues a plurality of elders that govern the church. Acts 11:30; 15:2; 20:17; 1 Tim. 4:14; James 5:14; 1 Peter 5:1-2 In reference to the James reference, James expected that there would be elders in every New Testament church to which his general epistle went – that is, in all the churches in existence at that time.

Elders Two Conclusions About Plurality of Elders: (1) No passage suggests that any church, no matter how small, had only one elder (2) We do not see a diversity of forms of government in the New Testament church, but a unified and consistent pattern in which every church had elders governing it and keeping watch over it.

Elders Other names: ”pastors,” “bishops,” “overseers,” The least commonly used word “pastor.” Only occurs once in the New Testament. While the word “pastor” isn’t used frequently, the verb which means “to act as shepherd” or “to act as pastor” is used. In Acts 20:28, Paul tells the elders “to shepherd the church of God.” 1 Peter 5:2, “Shepherd the flock of God that is in your charge” Jesus is called the chief shepherd (1 Peter 5:4).

Elders The Implications of what Peter says is massive for an understanding of pastors: Pastors are under the authority of Christ. They are given the flock, great or small, pastors still have a responsibility to shepherd that flock.

Elders “bishop,” Philippians 1:1. Paul interchanges “bishop” and “elders” The idea that “bishop” was a single individual over several churches, was a later development of the term and this understanding is found nowhere in the New Testament.

Elders Function: Govern the New Testament Church (1 Tim. 5:17) Teaching responsibilities in the New Testament church (Eph. 4:11, pastor- teacher) 1 Tim. 3:2 ; 1 Tim. 5:17

Elders Qualifications: 1 Tim. 3:2-7; Titus 1:6-9 Notice some of the similarities between these two passages Paul says some of the same qualifications to Timothy and Titus for elders.

Deacon Greek word “diakonos,” which means servant. 1 Timothy 3:8-13 Paul in Acts 6:1-6 distinguishes the role of elders and deacons Paul says that elders have the duty of teaching and preaching the Word, while deacons serve administratively.

How should Church Officers Be Chosen? In church history, there have been two major types of process for the selection of church officers: Selection by a higher authority Pope appoints cardinals and bishops, bishops appoints priests in local parishes. This is a more hierarchal structure of Church Government

How Should Church Officers Be Chosen? Selection by the local congregation. Acts 6:3, apostles do not themselves pick of the seven early deacons, the church does. Final governing authority seems to rest not with any group outside or any group within the church, but with the church as a whole More accountability Protects from False Doctrine.

Forms of Church Government Three types: Episcopalian, Presbyterian, Congregational

Episcopalian ARCHBISHOP ↓ Bishop Rector (Local Pastor) Congregation

Episcopalian This type of Governance is seen in Catholic, Episcopalian, Church of England to an extent, The argument for this type of government comes not from the New Testament, but that is a natural outgrowth of the development of the church that began in the New Testament.

Elders Elders Elders Elders Elders (Session) Presbyterian General Assembly ↓ Presbytery Elders Elders Elders Elders Elders (Session) ↓⇡ Congregation

Presbyterian Arguments for this type of church governance: (1) Those who have freedom and gifts for eldership should be called on to use their wisdom to govern more than just one local church (2) a national government of the church shows the unity of the body of Christ (3) such a system is able to prevent an individual congregation from falling into doctrinal error much more effectively than any voluntary association of the churches.

Presbyterian Objections: (1) Nowhere in Scripture do elders have regularly established authority over more than their own local church. (2) Results in much formal litigation, where doctrinal disputes are pursued year after year.

Presbyterian Objections: (3) The effective power in church government seems, in practice, to be too removed from the final control of the laypeople in the church. (4) National leadership adopts false doctrine and has put great pressure on local churches to conform to it.

Congregational Within the congregational system of church governance: There are several ways of governing Single-Pastor Plural Local Elders Corporate Board Pure Democracy No Government but the Holy Spirit

D D D D D D D D (deacon Board) Congregational Single Pastor: Pastor ↓⇡ D D D D D D D D (deacon Board) Congregation Strength: Churches need a strong pastor in order for it to grow rapidly Objection: Studies have shown that church growth with a single pastor is not necessary.

Congregational Plural Local Elders: E E E E E E E E E E ↓⇡ Strength of this system of government: the pastor does not have authority on his own over the congregation, but belongs to the entire group of elders. One objection: some large decisions may be required to be brought to the whole church for approval.

Congregational Corporate Board: Not as commonly used, but still found in some churches. This type of Church Government is a ”you- work-for-us” model: Church Board ⇡ Pastor Congregation

Congregational Pure Democracy: Everything must come through a congregational meeting. This type of Governance can paralyze a church because of its need to bring everything before the church. Congregation

Congregational No Government but the Holy Spirit. This is seen more in newer churches. It denies the need of church government, but is sensitive to the Holy Spirit. This type of governance never lasts very long It is unfaithful to the New Testament text and is also subject to abuse.