What the Bible Says...about God, Man, Satan, the Christian Life, the Church, Future Things, and Salvation

 

The Church

In its most fundamental sense, the local church is that collective group of God’s people called together by Him who assemble on a regular basis in the name of Jesus Christ, having committed to one another and to God by faith according to the scriptures.

Even though it has become commonly understood that the building where God’s people meet is “the church,” that is not the case.  It is God's people who make up the church.  The Greek word used in the New Testament for our English word church was a secular term when the followers of Jesus began to use it.  It is also a derivative of the Hebrew word for congregation, used under the Old Covenant when speaking of God's people. It speaks of a gathering of people who have been chosen and called out of the general population by the authorities – like a government that calls a special assembly of citizens, for example.  It was applied to the assembling together of God’s people in New Testament times because Christians were called together by God’s authority for a special assembly - a spiritual meeting.  Thus a Christian church in the true sense of the word is made up of those who have been called out of the world for salvation by God’s divine authority and assembled together to meet with Him.

However, just any gathering of Christian people does not necessarily fully constitute a local church; neither are Christian organizations and ministries adequate substitutes for all that the local church was and is meant to be.  Just getting together and fellowshipping around a common love for Jesus Christ does not bring the spiritual maturity that God produces through a true local church.  The local church is uniquely designed for a continual maturing, completing process within and among God's people.  Most Christian gatherings cannot possibly fulfill that call.  
 
It is through the local church that God designed for His people to be strengthened and completed as we grow into His image.  Some Christian gatherings and ministries may serve to strengthen the local church, yet they do not constitute a local church. But since it is only through the local church that God’s work is completed in and through us, none of these is an adequate substitute for the local church. The local church is to be a consistently collective group of God's people, called together by Him, and maturing together in Him.  This is the way God designed for us to become fully like Jesus – collectively. His ultimate desire for His people in the earth is that we become “the fullness of Jesus Christ.” That process of developing unity and sharing our spiritual gifts and callings, talents, Christ-like personalities, and so forth can only be carried out through a spiritually maturing local church.

The church is local and autonomous. While it may do well to collaborate with other churches and ministries, to a great degree the local church is called to stand alone with God for spiritual accountability. That is to say that the local church is not to be controlled by a central church system.  There may be temporary oversight outside a local church - for example, in the case of church planting - but that oversight should not give the majority of the spiritual leadership and direction long-term, unless for whatever reason God has not supplied leadership otherwise. God eventually equips each local church with all the gifts and callings needed to make up the whole. Thus God speaks to churches individually, and each local church is accountable to God for its actions.

The church is the literal body of Christ in the earth, of which He is the Head. Of course, His glorified body resides in the heavens at the right hand of the Father, but He has a body in the earth still – and that is us. We are His literal body in the earth.

Our responsibility as His body in the earth is far more than what we often think. As a result of many years of church transformation, some have lost sight of what the church really is to become.

 For example, while we focus on the Great Commission, we have a broader responsibility than that. The Great Commission is our command when outside the four walls of our meeting - for the members of His body are to be born of Him already.  We also serve as a moral compass for the community and provide love and care for the “stranger” and the “outcast,” but we still are to be so much more; we are to become the FULLNESS of Jesus Christ! Sharing the gospel through evangelism and meeting practical needs were a big part of what Jesus did, and we should do the same, but we cannot do that with the spiritual wisdom and measure that He did unless, like Him, we are willing to be a strong residence for His Spirit. We need to be a healthy place for “God in the Spirit”; then we can do all those practical things and more, but with much greater ease and in a far more effective way than we can do without His unhindered involvement and empowerment. We are to be the place out of which God is able to demonstrate Himself to the world, mightily!

Through recent centuries, we have built churches around commandments and creeds, some around presbyteries, some around spiritual gifts or spiritual leaders, and still others around all kinds of programs. But few churches have been built around the full measure of the stature of Jesus Christ. While commandments, creeds, and presbyteries may have their place of importance, they play only a part, and none adequately represents the whole – neither will they take us to the full measure of His stature. Only the release of His Spirit through us can do that.

Our conviction is that the church has yet to see its final transformation after nearly twenty centuries of spiritual warfare in its journey to His fullness – the “perfect unity of the faith.”

The New Covenant church was conceived through the shed blood of Jesus Christ and was born through the outpouring of God’s Holy Spirit at Pentecost, and it has stood the test of time. Jesus said the gates of Hell would not prevail against the church.


Select Scriptures about the Local Church

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. And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. (Matthew 16:18-19)

And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all. (Ephesians 1:22-23)
Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the church: (Colossians 1:24)
Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power. Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: (Ephesians 3:7-11)
For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness. (Romans 12:3-8)
Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will. For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. For the body is not one member, but many. If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling? But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. And if they were all one member, where were the body? But now are they many members, yet but one body. And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you. Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary: And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness. For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked: That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it. Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular. And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles? Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret? But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way. (1 Corinthians 12:4-31)
Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. And all that believed were together, and had all things common; And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved. (Acts 2:41-47)
And some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, which, when they were come to Antioch, spake unto the Grecians, preaching the Lord Jesus. And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord. Then tidings of these things came unto the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem: and they sent forth Barnabas, that he should go as far as Antioch. Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord. For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord. Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul: And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch. (Acts 11:20-26)
Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church. And he killed James the brother of John with the sword. And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. (Then were the days of unleavened bread.) And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people. Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him. (Acts 12:1-5)

Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away. So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed unto Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus. And when they were at Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews: and they had also John to their minister. (Acts 13:1-5)

NOTICE: The church (body of Christ) and the synagogue of the Jews were two completely distinct entities.
And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed. (Acts 14:23)
Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears. (Acts 20:28-31)
Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular. And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles? Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret? But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way. (1 Corinthians 12:27-31)
And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love. (Ephesians 4:11-16)
For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren, Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee. (Hebrews 2:11-12)
But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel. (Hebrews 12:22-24)
Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms. Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. (James 5:13-16)