THE CHURCH: IN SERVICE TO HUMANITY Lesson 8 for November 17, 2012

WHAT IS THE CHURCH? The Greek word used in the Bible for church is “ekklēsia”, an assembly or meeting of citizens in public session who usually discussed political issues. For example, this word is used that way in the New Testament in Acts 19:32 about the disturbance in Ephesus: “Some therefore cried one thing and some another, for the church was confused, and most of them did not know why they had come together” In the Septuagint (Greek translation of the Old Testament), the word ekklēsia is used very often to translate the Jewish word kahal, that is used for the assembly of Israel as the people of God. “I will declare Your name to My brethren; in the midst of the church I will praise You” (Psalm 22:22) In the New Testament, the word ekklēsia is used for a group of Christian believers (it is never used for the place or the building where they met) “And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved” (Acts 2:47)

THE CHURCH AS THE PEOPLE OF GOD “For you are a holy people to the Lord your God, and the Lord has chosen you to be a people for Himself, a special treasure above all the peoples who are on the face of the earth” (Deuteronomy 14:2) “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light” (1 Peter 2:9) The concept of church as the people of God is valid for both the old Israel and the current Christian church. Both churches are part of the people of God in different historical periods. In the time of the apostles, the people of God gathered together in groups called “churches”. Those churches were part of larger associations: Churches that met in private houses (Romans, 16: 5) Those churches met regularly with other churches in the same city (1 Corinthians 1:2) Churches also grouped together according to their area, like churches in Galatia or in Palestine (Galatians 1:2; Acts 9:31) Those churches formed an only universal church (1 Timothy 3:15)

THE CHURCH AS THE BODY OF CHRIST “And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all” (Ephesians 1:22-23) Christ is the Head. He leads and governs the church just like the head leads and governs the body. We have great privileges as the body of Christ. We have “the fullness of Him who fills all in all”. “Christ has poured His fullness, His qualities, into the church, filling it with holy life; indeed, with abounding life.” (SDA Bible Commentary, on Ephesians 1:23) As the body of Christ, we also have great responsibilities. We must be a single unit made of many members, and we must be one with Christ. “For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ” (1 Corinthians 12:12)

THE CHURCH AS MISSION “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Amen” (Matthew 28:19-20) Jesus wanted to make quite clear why He wanted his disciples to meet in “assembly” (ekklēsia). We all gather together to fulfill the mission He entrusted us. Church is a mission in that sense. Evangelism is the main mission of the church. Besides that mission, the church has more functions: Help in the believers’ growth (1Tim. 4:6) Worship (Eph. 1:6) Helping our society (James 1:27)

Could the church fulfill its mission without unity? THE CHURCH AS UNITY Could the church fulfill its mission without unity? Jesus interceded for the unity of the church. “I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one” (John 17:20-22) Unity is a gift from the Father which each one of us must ask. Unity begins with each one of us, individually, as followers of Christ—not just in name but in a life of true self-sacrifice, a life dedicated to a cause and a good greater than ourselves.

GOVERNING THE CHURCH Organization is another important requirement to fulfill the church’s mission. Everything in church must be done “decently and in order” (1Co. 14:40) The universal church had its leaders from its beginning (Gal. 2:9; Acts 15:22). Every local church was also organized under the leadership of elders and deacons (1Tim. 3; Titus 1:5) The Adventist Church is governed by a representative system of government; the leaders receive authority from the parish gathered in assembly. Jesus is the head and the greatest leader in Church. He made quite clear that the foundation of every leader in church must be service. “But not so among you; on the contrary, he who is greatest among you, let him be as the younger, and he who governs as he who serves. For who is greater, he who sits at the table, or he who serves? Is it not he who sits at the table? Yet I am among you as the One who serves” (Luke 22:26-27)

“Through the grace freely given them of God, all will seek to answer the prayer of Christ, that His disciples should be one, even as He and the Father are one. Peace, love, mercy, and benevolence will be the abiding principles of the soul. The love of Christ will be the theme of every tongue, and it will no more be said by the true Witness, “I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love” (Revelation 2:4). The people of God will be abiding in Christ, the love of Jesus will be revealed, and one Spirit will animate all hearts, regenerating and renewing all in the image of Christ, fashioning all hearts alike. As living branches of the true Vine, all will be united to Christ, the living head. Christ will abide in every heart, guiding, comforting, sanctifying, and presenting to the world the unity of the followers of Jesus, thus bearing testimony that the heavenly credentials are supplied to the remnant church. In the oneness of Christ’s church it will be proved that God sent His only begotten Son into the world” E.G.W. (This day with God, March 20)