Colossians 1:13-18

“Church” mentioned only twice in the gospels Both times the word is used by Jesus Himself - 1 st time used, He speaks as an architect: “…on this rock I will build My church” [Mt 16:18] - Both times, He hands the “keys” to the apostles: “…I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” [Mt 16:19] “Assuredly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” [Mt 18:18; cp. v. 17]

“Church” mentioned only twice in the gospels Both times the word is used by Jesus Himself - 1 st time used, He speaks as an architect: “…on this rock I will build My church” [Mt 16:18] - Both times, He hands the “keys” to the apostles: “…I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” [Mt 16:19] - These “keys” only work in accordance with God’s will cp. 2 Thess 2:13-14; Gal 1:6-9 - The architect entrusted His master work to men’s hands! cp. Mt 28:18-20; Mk 16:14-15, 20 - It is only the architect’s work if it follows HIS plan… cp. Mt 7:21-23 [Lk 6:46]; 1 Pet 4:11 [1 Cor 4:6]

“Church” mentioned only twice in the gospels Both times the word is used by Jesus Himself - 1 st time used, He speaks as an architect: “…on this rock I will build My church” [Mt 16:18] - Both times, He hands the “keys” to the apostles: “…I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” [Mt 16:19] - These “keys” only work in accordance with God’s will cp. 2 Thess 2:13-14; Gal 1:6-9 - The architect entrusted His master work to men’s hands! cp. Mt 28:18-20; Mk 16:14-15, 20 - It is only the architect’s work if it follows HIS plan… cp. Mt 7:21-23 [Lk 6:46]; 1 Pet 4:11 [1 Cor 4:6] Jesus is both “Son of David” & “Son of God” See Romans 1:1-4 Building His church, “the house of God” [1 Tm 3:15], Jesus fulfills the desire of God and of David See 2 Sam 7:1-2, 8-16; 2 Cor 6:16-18 The Son of David was not building an institution for: feeding/housing, marrying, teaching, entertaining, physical curing, employing, etc. [a DEEPER need!]

- In its most natural sense, “ekklēsia was the designation of the regular assembly of the whole body of citizens in a free city-state, “called out” by the herald for the discussion and decision of public business.” [ISBE] Following the Master’s Blueprint Matthew 16:18 “I will build My church” “Church” = Gk. ekklesia “ek” = out + “kalein” = to call See Acts 19:23-41 (32, 39, 41 – “assembly”)

Following the Master’s Blueprint Matthew 16:18 “I will build My church” “Church” = Gk. ekklesia “ek” = out + “kalein” = to call - In its most natural sense, a public assembly [Acts 19] - By extension, LXX used for “congregation” of Israel See Neh 8:2; Stephen’s use in Acts 7:38

Following the Master’s Blueprint Matthew 16:18 “I will build My church” “Church” = Gk. ekklesia “ek” = out + “kalein” = to call - In its most natural sense, a public assembly [Acts 19] - By extension, LXX used for “congregation” of Israel See Heb 12:22-24; 1 Pet 2:9-10 [“called out”] - By further extension, used of Christians in N.T.

Following the Master’s Blueprint Matthew 16:18 “I will build My church” “Church” = Gk. ekklesia “ek” = out + “kalein” = to call - In its most natural sense, a public assembly [Acts 19] - By extension, LXX used for “congregation” of Israel Translated “church” 88 times [NKJV] - By further extension, used of Christians in N.T. - In reference to the church Jesus built: Translated “assembly” once [Heb 2:10-12, NKJV]

Following the Master’s Blueprint Matthew 16:18 “I will build My church” “Church” = Gk. ekklesia “ek” = out + “kalein” = to call - In its most natural sense, a public assembly [Acts 19] - By extension, LXX used for “congregation” of Israel Used in a local sense: 60 times [NKJV; cp. 1 Cor 1:2] - By further extension, used of Christians in N.T. - In reference to the church Jesus built: “church” 88 times - Always refers to a meeting of people, nothing else: Used in a universal sense: 28 times [cp. Eph 1:22-23] Consider: John 10:14-16 – a flock of sheep

Following the Master’s Blueprint Matthew 16:18 “I will build My church” I have a FLOCK I have a SHEEPFOLD John 10:1-2 

Following the Master’s Blueprint Matthew 16:18 “I will build My church” John 10:16 I have a FLOCK (local)  I also have OTHER SHEEP (universal) 

Following the Master’s Blueprint Matthew 16:18 “I will build My church” Jesus did not build a sheepfold, then look for sheep to put into it If there were no sheep, there would be no church! The sheep (the people!) ARE the church! See Ephesians 2:19-22; 1 Peter 2:5; Acts 2:40-47

Following the Master’s Blueprint Matthew 16:18 “I will build My church” I see a CHURCH I see a (church) BUILDING 

Following the Master’s Blueprint Matthew 16:18 “I will build My church” I see a CHURCH  The CHURCH is an assembly of God’s people in one place (local) The CHURCH is the sum total of all of God’s people regardless of place or time (universal) [Heb 12:22-23] Acts 11:19-26

Following the Master’s Blueprint Matthew 16:18 “I will build My church” Misunderstanding of this basic concept that the Lord’s church is people is the fundamental error that leads to INSTITUTIONALISM Lord willing, the next studies will examine the history and errant concepts of the institutional movement

Following the Master’s Blueprint Matthew 16:18 “I will build My church” The Lord’s desire for you is that you should be saved from your sins He has made this possible through His Son 1 Timothy 2:1-4 John 3:16 But you must repent and be converted to Him Acts 17:30-31; 2:37-41 [Colossians 1:13-14]