FULLVIEW BAPTIST CHURCH WEDNESDAY NIGHT 6:00 P.M.

The Church Jesus is Building

The Church Ecclesiology is the study of the church. The word Ecclesiology comes from two Greek words meaning "assembly" and "word" - combining to mean "the study of the church." Ecclesiology helps us to understand the role of the church and our role in the church. It teaches us about the ordinances of the church, how church leadership is to be chosen and structured, and what the church is to be doing in regards to believers (worship and discipleship) and unbelievers (ministry and evangelism).

How Would You Define Church?

The Church is a Community

Definition of the Church The church is Christ's body, founded by Him, equipped by Him, nourished by Him, protected by Him, and will be present to God by Him. (Mat 16:18; 1 Cor 12:6-31; Eph 4:11-16;Eph 5:27; Col 1:22) The Church is not the Kingdom of Heaven. The Kingdom of Heaven seems to refer to the millennial kingdom which God promised to David. (2 Sam 7:10-16) The Church is not the Kingdom of God. The kingdom of God is larger than the church because it includes the saved of all ages. The church is confined to the believers of this present age (Pentecost to Rapture).

If Christ is Building His Church So Many Denominations?

Why do We Have Denominations? Christ’s Church is not a “denomination”. Denominations are identified as a class, or society of individuals, called by the same name and does not appear in the Scriptures. Denominations are man-made divisions that came out of the Protestant Reformation, the movement to “reform” the Roman Catholic Church during the 16th century, out of which four major divisions or traditions of Protestantism would emerge: Lutheran, Reformed, Anabaptist, and Anglican. From these four, other denominations grew.

Why do We Have Denominations? Each denomination has a slightly different doctrine or emphasis from the others such as the style of worship, method of baptism, the availability of the Lord’s Supper. (Rom 14:1-8; Gal 4:9-10) The point of these divisions is never Christ as Lord and Savior, but honest differences of opinion by godly people seeking to honor God and retain doctrinal purity according to their consciences and their understanding of His Word. (Jo 4:23-24) Nowhere in Scripture is there a mandate for denominationalism, most are the result of, or caused by, conflict and confrontation which leads to division and separation. (1 Cor 1:11-17)

Jesus rose from the dead physically (John 2:19-21; 1 Cor. 15:14). Within Christianity there are essential doctrines that define what it means to be a Christian. These essential doctrines are: Jesus is both God and man (John 1:1, 14; 8:24; Col. 2:9; 1 John 4:1-4). Jesus rose from the dead physically (John 2:19-21; 1 Cor. 15:14). Salvation is by grace through faith (Rom. 5:1; Eph. 2:8-9; Gal. 3:1-2). The gospel is the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus (1 Cor. 15:1-4; Gal. 1:8-9). There is only one God (Exodus 20:3; Isaiah 43:10; 44:6,8). God exists as a Trinity of persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. (Jo 1:1- 14; Mk 1:9-12; Jo 6:31-40). Jesus was born of the Virgin Mary (incarnation Lk 1:34-35;Gal 4:4).

Church is important, and all believers need to belong to a body that fits this criteria. Church must be a body of believers where the Gospel of Christ is preached. Church must be a body where an individual can have a personal relationship with the Lord. Church must be a body where an individual can join in biblical ministries that are spreading the Gospel and glorifying God. Church must be a body where the pastor is preaching the Gospel without fear and is encouraged to do so.

What is the church? There is only one body in Christ: the universal church, consisting of those who have been born of the Spirit of God. (1 Cor 12:13; 1 Pet 1:3) The church, both universal and local, was founded on the Day of Pentecost. (Acts 2) There was one local church in Jerusalem. The early church would get together, observe the Lord’s Supper, study God’s Word and cooperate in Christian services. Their doctrinal standard was meeting for spiritual fellowship, united prayer, baptism, keeping account of the membership, and public worship. (Acts 2:42-46, Eph 2:20

The Foundation of the Church They had church officers (Acts 6:1-7; 14:23; Eph 4:11) They had church Decorum and exercised church discipline (Mt 18:17, 1 Cor 14:34; Rom 16:17) They raised money for Christ’s work. (1 Cor 16:1-2; 2 Cor 9:6-8)

The Foundation of the Church They had stated times of Meeting: the first Day of the Week. Sunday observance originated with the Apostles ( Mt 28:1; Mk 16:1-2; Jo 20:19, 26; Acts 20:7; 1 Cor 16:2) Notice that Ephsians 2:1-22 says the Church is God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus and the household of God built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus being the chief corner stone.

The Mission of the Church To Glorify God: (Mat 5:14-16; Rom 15:6; Eph 1:5-6) By Christian service to community By carrying out of other purposes of the church By worshipping God To Edify Itself [building up]: (Eph 4:11-16; Col 2:7; Jude 20) To Purify Itself [purging]: (Eph 5:26-27) To Evangelize the World: Matt 28:19; Mk 16:15; Acts 1:8) To Act as a Restraining Force in the World: (Mat 5:13-16’ 2 Cor 5:19)

The Destiny of the Church The Church will be United to Christ: (2 Cor 11:2; Eph 5:27; Rev 19:7) The Church will Reign with Christ: (1 Cor 6:2; ; Rev 1:6; 22:5) The Church will be an Eternal Testimony. She will witness throughout eternity to God’s wisdom and goodness. Thus God will be eternally glorified. (Eph 3:10, 21)

WHAT’S HAPPENING AT “THE VIEW”

Older Adult Council is sponsoring a trip for seniors to Noah’s Ark in Kentucky Oct 7-10, 2019. See Larry and Ida Ellison or any member of OAC for more details.

Men’s Breakfast and Fellowship May 18th @ 8:30 am