THE CHURCH

THE CHURCH

Jesus said, “I WILL BUILD MY CHURCH” (Gk., ecclesia) (Matt.16:18)- And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.

The word ecclesia in the New Testament is used to designate any assembly whether it be

Political (Acts. 19:39), If there is anything further you want to bring up, it must be settled in a legal assembly.

Christian (Eph. 1:22-23) And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church,

which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.

National (Acts. 7:38). He was in the assembly in the desert, with the angel who spoke to him on Mount Sinai, and with our fathers; and he received living words to pass on to us. It means a “called out assembly” or “congregation.” God called Israel out of Egypt; they congregated in the wilderness; they are “the church in the wilderness.”

Today GOD CALLS THE SAVED OUT OF THE WORLD to congregate in worship.

THIS IS THE TRUE CHURCH IN THE WORLD, IN IT BUT NOT OF IT. (1Cor 12:13) For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body--whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free--and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.

Unlike the church in the wilderness, the church that Jesus is building will never cease. He said, “The gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” His church is not synonymous with Christendom. It is in Christendom in the same way in which it is in the world, in it but not of it. Christendom is made up of those who profess to be Christians, but they know not Christ as a personal Saviour (Matt. 7:21-23, 2Tim. 3:5, Titus 1:16). Only blood-washed, blood-bought, born again, Spirit baptized believers constitute the church that Jesus is building. It is called a:

A) Mystery (Ephesians 3:3-10)

B) Body (1Corinthian 12:12-31)

C) Building (Ephesians 2:10-22)

D) Bride (2Corinthian 11:2)

1. THE CHURCH : ITS FOUNDATION (MATT. 16:13-18)

2. THE CHURCH : ITS HEAD (COL. 1:18)

3. THE CHURCH : ITS ORGANIZATION (TITUS 1:4-5)

4. THE CHURCH : ITS DISCIPLINE (MATT. 18:15-17)

5. THE CHURCH : ITS WORSHIP AND WORK (MATT. 28:16-20)

6. THE CHURCH : ITS POWER (ACTS. 1:8)

7. THE_CHURCH:_IT’S_FUTURE (1THESS. 4:16-17)

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THE CHURCH : ITS FOUNDATION : (MATT 16:13-18)

13 When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, "Who do people say the Son of Man is?"

14 They replied, "Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets."

15 "But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?"

16 Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."

17 Jesus replied, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven.

18 And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this ROCK I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.

“Upon this rock I will build my church.” Leading up to this declaration He asked His disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” They answered naming some of the prophets. Then He said unto them, "But what about you?" "Who do you say I am?" Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." In verse 13 Jesus spoke of Himself as “ Son of Man.” Now Peter speaks of Him as the “Son of the living God” Jesus blessed Peter and said that this great truth came from God the Father. Again He said to Peter, “you are Peter, (Petros, a little rock) and on this rock (Petra, a big rock) I will build my church.” Jesus did not say that He would build His church upon Peter, but upon Himself, the ROCK of Ages.

Simon Peter called Jesus the “living stone” the Chief “corner stone” a “stone of stumbling” and a “Rock of offense.” He spoke of all believers, including himself, as “living stones.” CHRIST IS THE FOUNDATION and the believers are the building stones. (1Peter 2:1-10)

Paul speaks of Christ as the foundation of the Apostles and the Prophets (Ephesians 2:19-22). He also said, “For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ” (1Cor. 3:11). Although the church was a mystery in the Old Testament, yet Isaiah said, “thus saith the Lord God, behold I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation “ (Isaiah 28:16). Christ is the sure foundation of His church and all believers are little building stones built into a holy temple in the Lord.

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THE CHURCH : ITS HEAD (COL. 1:18)

And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy.

“He is the head of the body, the church.” Christ is the foundation, cornerstone, and head of His church. He is the head of the local church, and He is the head of the church in its all-inclusive broader sense, including all born-again, blood-washed, blood-bought, Spirit-baptized believers in heaven and earth.

The church is more than a religious organization, it is an organism, with Christ as the living head. It is alive with the life of Christ made living in each member (1Cor. 12:1-31). Let us examine briefly the church and observe its role as the body of Christ.

1. The members of the body are given spiritual gifts according to the will of the Holy Spirit (verses 1-11).

2. The unity of the body is seen in its many members with different operations all related and coordinated under one head (verse 12).

3. All are baptized by one Spirit into one body (verse 13)

1. There is one Holy Spirit.

2. There is one Holy Spirit baptism.

3. There is one body (the church).

This is the church in its broadest sense. You cannot join this church. The

only way to become a member of His body is to be spiritually born

(John 3:1-7) and baptized into it by the Holy Spirit.

4. The members differ one from the other, yet they function as one in the will of God (1Cor. 12:14-18).

5. The least or weakest member is necessary for the proper function of the whole body (verse 22,23).

6. If one member suffers, the whole body suffers; if one is honored, all are honored (verse 26).

7. The members are to covet the best spiritual gifts and minister in love (verse 31).

The Lord Jesus Christ has never delegated His authority to anyone, whether he be pope, pastor, deacon or the majority of the congregation. “He is head over all things to the church.” (Eph. 1:22), the only absolute and final authority.

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THE CHURCH : ITS ORGANIZATION: (TITUS 1:4,5)

4 To Titus, my true son in our common faith: Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.

5 The reason I left you in Crete was that you might straighten out what was left unfinished and appoint elders in every town, as I directed you.

There is scriptural evidence of some organization in the local church from its inception. It was a definite and permanent organized congregation, but not as we know it today.

Paul left Titus in Crete to organize the believers into local church bodies and to “set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city” (V5).

The local New Testament church is a microcosm of the complete body of Christ in heaven and earth. The word “church” is used over 100 times in the New Testament, and the great majority of references refer to the local congregation.

ORGANIZATION IN THE LOCAL CHURCH IS SEN IN:

1. Its officers.

He gave to the church “apostles” (this refers to the twelve, there are no apostles in the church today), “prophets” (we have no prophets and have not had since the last book of the New Testament was written), “evangelists” (the evangelists will serve the church until Jesus comes), and “pastors and teachers” (Eph. 4:11-12). Pastors and teachers are local ministers; the apostles, prophets and evangelists are ministers at large.

Another officer is the deacon. His qualifications are set forth in 1Timothy (1Tim.3:8-13). Deacons are never called a board in the scriptures. They are not to run the church; they are ordained to assist the pastor by ministering to the saints (Acts. 6:1-7).

2. Its membership records.

The church must have kept some records of its members. The book of Acts tells us there were about 120 in the upper room. The account (Acts1:15-26) reads like the average local church business meeting. Simon Peter is the pastor; he takes the lead and gives direction in choosing one to take the place of Judas. “And they gave forth this lots” and Matthias was chosen to be an apostle. On the day of Pentecost 3,000 were added to the body of Christ by Holy Spirit baptism (1Cor.12:13) and to the local church in Jerusalem by water baptism (Acts 2:41). Again the records show another 5,000 added (Acts 4:4). The Scriptures tells us that “THE LORD ADDED (not any man of any state - pope, pastor, rev., elders, apostles, prophets, evangelist or men of any caliber) TO THE CHURCH SUCH AS SHOULD BE SAVED” (Acts 2:47).

3. Its Ordinances.

1. Baptism (baptiso means to immerse). The Lord commands the believer to be baptized. This is the believer’s first opportunity to obey his Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. In the early church no one ever questioned water baptism; they obeyed (Matt. 28: 18-20; also Rom. 6: 1- 4). BAPTISM DOES NOT SAVE. It is a picture of your faith in His death, burial and resurrection. IT IS FAITH IN CHRIST THAT SAVES (John 3:36) AND THE ORDINANCE OF BAPTISM THAT IDENTIFIES THE BELIEVER WITH THE RISEN SAVIOUR.

2. The Lord’s supper. THERE IS NO SAVING POWER IN THE LORD’S SUPPER. It is a memorial. The bread is symbolical of His broken body and the wine of His shed blood for the remission of our sins. Baptism identifies the believer with Christ in His death, burial and resurrection; and the Lord’s supper is a memorial to be observed by the believer to “show the Lord’s death till He come” (1Cor. 11: 23 – 34).

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THE CHURCH : ITS DISCIPLINE (Matt. 18:15-17)

The removal of offences

15 Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.

16 But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.

17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as a heathen man and a publican.

This is the most difficult and necessary function of the local assembly, and its importance can not be exagerated “Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump? Purge out therefore the old leaven” (1Cor. 5:6-7). Leaven in the Scripture is always a type of evil. The church is to purge out any evil its membership. The motive for disciplining a brother is love (1John 4:7-11). The goal is to restore him to fellowship with his Lord and the church.

“If thy brother shall sin against thee.”

1. The first step is to be taken by the one sinned against. He is to go to his brother alone, not seeking revenge or self justification, but to “gain thy brother.”

2. If he does not repent, the second step is, to take one or two believers and go to him again.

3. If he will not hear the two or three, the third step is to the church.

A good example of church discipline is reported in Paul’s letter to the church of Corinth. He used strong words calling upon the church to discipline a member for fornication. He wrote, “Put away from among yourselves that wicked person” (1Cor. 5:1-13). In his second letter to Corinthian church we learn that the man repented and was restored to the fellowship of God’s people. Now Paul writes, “Forgive him, comfort him ..…… and confirm your love towards him” (2Cor. 2:3 –11). The attitude of the church toward a repenting brother should always be that of forgiveness in love.

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THE CHURCH: ITS WORSHIP AND WORK (Matt. 28:16-20)

CHRIST'S COMMISSION TO HIS DISCIPLES

16 Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them.

17 And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted.

18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.

19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

First the Church: its worship. “When they saw Him, they worshiped Him (v17). To worship is to bow down in awe; to pay divine honors to God in humble, reverent homage. There are three essentials in worship, they are:

1. Faith, “The people believed…….then they bow their heads and worshiped” (Exod. 4:31)

2. Spirit, “They that worship Him must worship him in spirit “ (John 4:23,24). Spiritual worship is worship directed by the indwelling Holy Spirit. (Phil.3:3).

3. Truth, “They that worship Him must worship in spirit and in truth.” Jesus Christ is truth (John 14:6). Therefore, there can be no pretense or hypocrisy in true worship. The parable of the Pharisee and the Publican illustrates true and false worship (Luke 18:9-14). The publican worshiped in truth and he went home justified. The Pharisee worshiped in religious pride and he went home rejected.

Second, the church: Its work. “For from you sounded out the word of the Lord” (1Thes. 1:8). The church in Thessalonica did the work of the Lord so well that the apostles did not have to evangelize Macedonia and Achaia. The church shared its faith with the lost and after all that is the main work of the church. This is how that, “by the space of two years …… all who dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus Christ, both Jews and Greeks “ (Acts 19:8 -10). All of Asia did not journey to Ephesus to hear Paul. It is evident that the believers went everywhere sharing the gospel. The work of the church is to go with the gospel, because:

1. The church is commissioned to work (Verse 18 – 20).

2. The Church is to work with Christ (2Cor. 6:1), and the Holy Spirit (Acts 5:32).

3. The church is to work with Christ in His field (the world) (Matt. 13:36-43; & Mark 16:15).

4. The need for the church to work is great (John 4:35).

5. The time for the church to work is now (2Cor. 6:2).

6. The church is to work until Jesus comes to judge the works of the saints (2Cor. 5:10).

7. The church will be rewarded for its works (1Cor. 3:9 -15). God’s program for the local church is, COME AND WORSHIP, GO AND WORK (WITNESS) Acts 8:1 – 4).

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THE CHURCH: ITS POWER (Acts 1:8)

But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

On the day of Pentecost the church received power to evangelize the world. When the hundred and twenty came down from the upper room, they came in the dynamics of the Holy Spirit. It was a spiritual phenomenon issuing forth in joyful ecstasy and miracle working-power, resulting in conviction of sin, “repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ” (Acts 20:21). Some were empowered for special service, but all received power to witness.

The real power of the church is not found in:

1. Modern buildings or unique methods of preaching and teaching.

2. It’s great wealth or how that wealth is used.

3. The church’s prominence or popularity. The Laodicean church was the first bragging church (Rev. 3:14-22) but not the last.

They said, “We are rich.” God said they were poor.

They said, “We are wealthy.” God said they were wretched.

They said, “We do not need anything.” God said they needed everything.

They said, “We are busy in the church.” God said they were miserable.

They said, “We have a vision.” God said they were blind.

They said, “We are clothed in fine garments.” God said they were naked.

They said, “We are satisfied.” God said they made Him sick.

You can always recognize a Holy-Spirit powered church. The evidence is obvious; they have power to:

1) EVANGELIZE: They share their faith with the lost and souls were saved. Evangelism is the only way to make full proof of your ministry (2Tim. 4:5). When a church is not involved in winning souls, it grieves the Holy Spirit and is void of power.

2. REPRODUCE: Souls are born into the family of God by the “incorruptible seed” which is the word of God (1Pet.1:23). The Spirit-filled believer sows the seed; this is evangelism. The Holy Spirit hovers over the seed, convicting and leading the lost to repentance. This is the spiritual birth.

3. CHANGE: People (Acts 2:37-41); places (Acts 5:28); and things (Matt.17:20,21)

4. TURN THE WORLD UPSIDE DOWN (Acts 17:6)

This is the power that filled the upper room congregation on the day of Pentecost. That power is with the believer today in the person of the Holy Spirit. He is the power of the Church.

THE CHURCH: IT’S FUTURE (1Thes. 4:16, 17)

16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:

17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

The true church of Jesus Christ has a glorious, victorious future in the world, in the air, in the kingdom, and in eternity; it cannot fail. “The gates of hell shall not prevail against it” (Matt. 16:18).

1. The future of the church in the world.

At Pentecost the Holy Spirit set the course for the church as it journeys from the upper room to the Rapture. It is to:

1. wage war (Eph. 6:10-18)

2. run a race (Heb. 12:1-2)

3. labor in love (1Cor. 3:9)

The church of Jesus Christ will emerge triumphant for, “We are more than conquerors through Him that loved us” (Rom. 8:35-39). The church cannot fail BECAUSE CHRIST IS ITS HEAD, HOLY SPIRIT IS ITS POWER, AND THE WORD OF GOD IS ITS GUIDE.

2. The future of the church in the air.

We shall be caught up (v17). Caught up:

1. in our incorruptible, glorified bodies (1Cor. 15:42-44).

2. To meet the Lord in the heavens and for the great majority of the church we will see Him in His resurrected body for the first time (1John3: 2).

3. That our works may be judged at the judgement seat of Christ (2Cor.5: 10). This is the bema judgement.

4. That we may be rewarded or suffer loss of reward (1Cor.3: 11-15).

3. The future of the church in the kingdom.

1. The twelve apostles will sit on thrones and judge the twelve tribes of Israel (Matt. 9:28).

2. All who overcome the evils of Christendom (Laodecia) will sit with Christ on His kingdom Throne (Rev. 3:21).

3. We shall reign with Him a thousand years (Rev. 20:4-6).

4. The future of the church in eternity.

After the kingdom reign of one thousand years there will be “a new heaven and a new earth” (Rev. 21:1). The earth will be restored to its original created state (Gen.1:1). God’s earthly people Israel will inherit the new earth (Exo. 32:13).

The church His bride, will remain in His presence for ever. If in His human form He is in the new heaven or the new earth, we will be with Him to see Him, to serve Him, and to worship Him. He will continue to bestow upon His bride the riches of His eternal grace (Eph. 2:6-7). Even in our perfect glorified bodies it will take eternity (time without end) to begin to comprehend the greatness of His grace.

Church is not the product of dipping or sprinkling of water. (Read acts 20:28 ……the Church of God which He PURCHASED with His own blood)

But the travail of the soul of Jesus Christ, because He poured out His soul unto death (Isa. 53:12).

It is the result of shedding His (God the Son) own blood as a great purchasing price paid for it, which no man on this earth can ever pay. It is His purchased possession that no one can boast about (Acts 20:28).

Church is the body of people chosen (elect) taken from the world and given to Jesus Christ (Son) by the Father (John 17:6; 9; 11)

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HOW WILL IT ALL END?