The Distinct Nature of the Church Lesson 8: The Distinct Nature of the Church

The Distinct Nature of the Church The “Church” Is a Significant New Testament Doctrine. The English word “church” is found over 100 times in the New Testament. Yet, the concept of the church is widely misunderstood today. To understand the true nature and significance of the church, we must study what the Bible says about it. The Definition of the Church Will Help in Understanding Its Nature. “Church” is from the Greek word ekklesia (“the called out”). The church is made up of ones who have been: That deliverance from “darkness” to “light” was God’s eternal plan (cf. Isa. 9:1-7). Those in the church have been “called out” by the gospel (2 Thess. 2:14).

The Distinct Nature of the Church The Composition of the Church (Specified in the N.T.) Will Help in Understanding Its Nature. The church is composed of all those who have been saved. The “saved” are “added” by “the Lord” “to the church” (Acts 2:47). Only those in the church are saved, for Jesus “is the Savior of the body” (Eph. 5:23). People in the church are saved people, and saved people are in the church. The church is composed of all those who have been sanctified. The church is composed of all those who have been reconciled to God. The church, therefore, is composed of the “saved,” the “sanctified,” and the “reconciled.”

The Distinct Nature of the Church The Depictions Used for the Church in the N.T. Will Help in Understanding Its Nature. The Bible uses various terms, depictions, images or figures to describe the church. The church is depicted in the New Testament as a body. The spiritual body of the church is compared with the physical body of man. Christ “is the head of the body, the church” (Col. 1:18; cf. Eph. 1:22-23; 5:23). The terms “body” and “church” are used interchangeably/ synonymously in the N.T. As there is one head, “there is one body” (Eph. 4:4). The emphasis of the body is upon the unity inherent within a body.

The Distinct Nature of the Church The Depictions Used for the Church in the N.T. Will Help in Understanding Its Nature. The church is depicted in the New Testament as a family. “The household of God” is a depiction of the church as “the family of God.” God, as the one Father, has only one family, which should be united together in their bond and in their working together for the Father (Eph. 4:13-16). The emphasis of the family is upon the close-knit bond inherent within a family.

The Distinct Nature of the Church The Depictions Used for the Church in the N.T. Will Help in Understanding Its Nature. The church is depicted in the New Testament as a kingdom. Jesus identified the church as a kingdom. Christ is the king of His one kingdom (Rev. 19:16; 1:5). The kingdom is made up of people/citizens on this earth (who are “fellow citizens,” Eph. 2:19), but its Ruler and its laws are from heaven (cf. Matt. 21:25)! The many parables that Jesus taught about “the kingdom of heaven” were intended to describe for us the nature of His church. Christ, as King of kings, has only one kingdom. The emphasis of the kingdom is upon the rule of law, government and obedient citizens inherent within a kingdom.

The Distinct Nature of the Church The Depictions Used for the Church in the N.T. Will Help in Understanding Its Nature. The church is depicted in the New Testament as a bride. The Bible likens the relationship between Christ and His church to the relationship between a husband and his wife/bride (Eph. 5:22-33). Christ, as the bridegroom, has only one bride. The emphasis of the bride is upon the intimate faithfulness inherent within a bride.

The Distinct Nature of the Church The Depictions Used for the Church in the N.T. Will Help in Understanding Its Nature. The church is depicted in the New Testament as a temple. The church is depicted in the New Testament as a vineyard. The church is depicted in the New Testament as a flock. In God’s flock, Christians are the sheep and Jesus is the Shepherd (1 Pet. 2:25; John 10). Sheep have a tendency to “stray” (Matt. 18:12-13; Isa. 53:6), which illustrates deeply the need for the “Good Shepherd” and following His voice (John 10). Jesus emphasized that there is “one flock and one shepherd” (John 10:16). The church is depicted in the New Testament as an army.

The Distinct Nature of the Church The Sense in Which the Word “Church” Is Used Will Help in Understanding Its Nature. The word “church” is used in a universal sense in the New Testament. The word “church” is used in a local sense in the New Testament. The word “church” or “churches” is used in a regional/provincial sense in the N.T.

The Distinct Nature of the Church Knowing the Destiny of the Church Will Help in Understanding Its Essential Nature. The church is made up of the saved (Acts 2:47; cf. John 3:3-5), and only the saved will enter heaven (Rev. 21:27). Jesus is not only the “head of the church,” “He is the Savior of the body” (Eph. 5:23). At the end of time, Jesus will “[deliver] the kingdom to God the Father” (1 Cor. 15:24). The following conclusions from these Bible truths are inescapable: The church/body/kingdom is made up of the saved, therefore, one must be in the church/body/kingdom in order to be saved. The eternal destiny of the church/body/kingdom is heaven, therefore, one must be in the church/body/kingdom to go to heaven. The eternal destiny of the church demands that it have an essential place in our lives today.