Designations of the Church Church, Kingdom, Bride of Christ, Body of Christ, House/Family of God, Temple of God

Church 13 When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, “Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?” 14 And they said, “Some say that thou art John the Baptist; some, Elijah; and others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets.” 15 He saith unto them, “But whom say ye that I am?” 16 And Simon Peter answered and said, “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, “Blessed art though Simon Bar-jona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. 18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” Matthew 16:13-18

Church Comes from the greek word ekklesia ◦From ek, “out of,” and klēsis, “a calling” ◦Was used among Greeks of a body of citizens “gathered” to discuss the affairs of state (Acts 19:39) ◦Described the nation of Israel (Acts 7:38) ◦Described a riotous mob (Acts 19:32, 41)

Church Uses of the word “ekklesia” ◦Matt 16:18 - “…I will build my church” ◦Eph 1:22 - “…head over all things to the church” ◦Eph 5:23 - “…Christ is the head of the church” ◦Acts 20:28 - “Take heed…to feed the church of God” ◦1 Cor 1:2 - “Unto the church of God at Corinth” ◦Gal 1:13 - “I persecuted the church of God” ◦1 Thess 1:1 - “…unto the church of the Thessalonians” ◦2 Thess 1:1 - “…unto the church of the Thessalonians” ◦1 Tim 3:5 - “…how shall he take care of the church of God”

We have been delivered from darkness (Colossians 1:13) We are to be separate (2 Cor. 6:14-18) We are strangers and pilgrims in this world…not to be of it (1 Peter 2:11-12) We are not to conform to the world but be transformed (Romans 12:1-2) Romans 12:1-2 “ 1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” 1 Peter 2:11-12 “ 11 Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; 12 Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.” 2 Corinthians 6:14-18 “ 14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? 15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? 16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you. 18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.” Colossians 1:13 “Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son” Church - the called out

Israel was to keep itself separate from the nations round about: ◦Not to intermarry (Deut 7:3) ◦Not to follow their gods (Ex 23:24, 32-33) Church - the called out

How do we show ourselves to be separate? ◦Think on spiritual things…not physical  1 Corinthians 3:1-3  Philippians 4:8 ◦Be a new man…no longer the old man of sin  Colossians 3:1-10 ◦Live as righteous  1 John 3:7 Church - the called out

Kingdom of God Kingdom = God’s People (Matt 16:18-19) John taught kingdom near (Matt 3:1-3) Would “…come with power” (Mark 9:1) Must be born again to enter (John 3:3-5) Is not of this world (John 18:36) Is a spiritual kingdom (Rom 14:17) Is an eternal kingdom (2 Pet 1:11)

Same Owner (Matt 16:18; John 18:36) Same Ruler (Eph 5:23; 1 Tim 6:15) Same Beginning (Isaiah 2:1-2; Acts 2) Same Entrance (John 3:5; Acts 2:38) Kingdom of God = Church

Like husbands and wives: ◦Christ is head of the church (vs 23) ◦Church submits to Christ’s authority (vs 24) ◦Christ loved the church (vs 25) ◦Church is to be holy (vs 27) ◦Christ nourisheth and cherisheth it (vs 29) 22 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the savior of the body. 24 Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. 25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; 26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, 27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. 28 So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. 29 For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church: 30 For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. 31 F OR THIS CAUSE SHALL A MAN LEAVE HIS FATHER AND MOTHER, AND SHALL BE JOINED UNTO HIS WIFE, AND THEY TWO SHALL BE ONE FLESH. 32 This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church. Ephesians 5:22-32 Bride of Christ

Body of Christ “Ye are the body of Christ” (1 Cor 12:27) “…which is His body” (Ephesians 1:22-23) “…are one body in Christ” (Rom 12:1-2, 3-6a) “…members of his body” (Ephesians 5:30) “…the head of the body” (Colossians 1:18) “…members of that body” (1 Cor 12:12-26)

House/Family of God We are a spiritual house (1 Peter 2:4-8) House of God (1 Timothy 3:15) Habitation of God (Eph 2:22) The household of God (Eph 2:19-22) The family of heaven (Eph 3:15) Who is my family? (Matt 12:46-50)

Temple of God Individual (2 Corinthians 6:14-18) ◦Not to be unequally yoked with unbelievers ◦Righteousness vs. unrighteousness ◦Light vs. darkness ◦Christ vs. Belial ◦Believer vs. infidel ◦Temple of God vs. idols ◦Temple: where God dwells/is worshipped Church (1 Cor 3:16-17; Eph 2:20-21)

Conclusion The church is to be: ◦The called outBe ye separate ◦The spiritual kingdomHas been established ◦The bride of ChristHoly and without blemish ◦The body of ChristMembers one of another ◦The House/Family of GodA spiritual house ◦The Temple of GodNot associated with evil