Page 140 - Way of Life Encyclopedia of the Bible Christianity. Based on the King James Bible

CHURCH

What the N.T. Church Is Not. (1) The church is not a before God to be faithful to the church. (4) Safety
man-made organization, but is a divinely given and (10:25). The believer needs the church because the days
designed institution. (2) The church is not a Bible study are evil. (5) Evidence of salvation (10:26-27). By his
or merely an unorganized group of believers, but is a faithfulness to the things of God, the believer gives
body properly organized according to the N.T. pattern evidence of his salvation. Those who neglect the things
(1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, Titus). (3) The church is not of God are proving that they are not saved. (6) Training
Christianity or some ecumenical body. True churches are (13:7). The believer needs the church in order to be
composed of “faithful brethren in Christ” (Col. 1:2). taught the Word of God. (7) Example (13:7). The
Christianity is more properly identified as the Harlot of believer needs the example of his church leaders. (8)
Re. 17, and her daughters. (4) The church is not a Discipline, oversight (13:17). The believer needs the
national church, or the churches of a particular area. godly and loving oversight that God-called and qualified
The Bible always uses the plural term “churches” to pastors provide. (9) Judgment (13:17). The believer
refer to the churches of an area (1 Co. 16:19 — in this needs to be faithful to the church because God will
verse we see both church singular and churches plural; judge him in this matter.
Ac. 15:41; Ro. 16:4,16; 2 Co. 8:1; Ga. 12:22; 1 Th. Lessons from Revelation 1-3. (1) The churches are to
2:14; Re. 1:4). It is wrong to refer to “the church of be independent and autonomous. Revelation addresses
Nepal,” or “the church of Germany.” There are churchES the churchES (plural) of Asia, not the church (singular)
in Nepal, and churchES in Germany. (5) The church is of Asia. Each church had its own message from Christ.
not the kingdom of God (2 Ti. 4:1,18). Christians are There was no reference to the establishment of any kind
not building the kingdom; that will be built at Christ’s of interchurch union. Each was addressed and respected
return (Ac. 1:6-8). Christians are to pray for the as a sovereign, autonomous body. (2) Each church
kingdom of God to come, referring to the future when possesses the glory of Christ, which is symbolized by the
Christ returns (Mt. 6:9-10). (6) The church is not a “golden candlesticks” (Re. 1:12). (3) Each church is an
denomination. The Bible never uses the term “church” autonomous light. There was not one candlestick
to refer to any particular denomination. It is not proper (singular) in the region of Asia, but seven individual
to refer to the “Anglican Church,” or the “Roman candlesticks (plural). Each church is to seek to fulfill the
Catholic Church,” or the “Presbyterian Church.” Great Commission and has every right to do so—to
The Importance of the Church. The Holy Spirit in preach, disciple, baptize, ordain, and send forth
Scripture has exalted the local church in the following missionaries. Compare Ac. 13:1-4; 1 Th. 1:7-8; Ph.
ways: (1) It is the only institution Jesus is building 2:15-16. (4) Christ is concerned today with the
today (Mt. 16:18). (2) It is the pillar and ground of the churches. He is standing in the midst of the churches. In
truth (1 Ti. 3:15). (3) It is the house of God (1 Ti. 3:15). the next age He will be enthroned in the midst of the
(4) It is where Jesus is standing (Re. 1). (5) It is the New Jerusalem (Re. 21:22-23; 22:3). (5) The Holy
institution to which the Holy Spirit is speaking (Re. 2:7, Spirit is speaking today to Christians particularly
11, 17, 29; 3:6, 13, 22). (6) It is the recipient of the through the churches (Re. 2:7, 11, 17, 29; 3:6, 13, 22).
Great Commission and the headquarters for world Though we know that the Holy Spirit speaks directly to
missions (Mt. 16:15-17; 28:18-20; Ac. 11, 13). It is the every believer, it is also true that He speaks to Christians
center for the discipline of Christians (1 Co. 5); the corporately through the churches. (6) The church is not
exercise of spiritual gifts (1 Co. 12-14); the training of mentioned during the Tribulation period. The church is
Christians (He. 13:7); ordaining missionaries (Ac. mentioned 19 times in the first three chapters of
13:3); supporting missionaries (Ph. 4:16; 2 Co. 11:8); Revelation, but not again until 22:16. Israel comes back
Christian service (Tit. 2); and prayer (Ac. 12:5). (7) It is to center stage during the Tribulation (Re. 7:3-8;
the institution through which God is to be glorified (Ep. 11:3-13; 12:13) because this is the seventieth week of
3:21). (8) It is God’s church (Ac. 20:28). The term Daniel (Da. 9:24-27). The Harlot “church” also comes to
“church of God” is used 13 times in the N.T. and always center stage in the Tribulation (Re. 17).
of the local church. (9) It is purchased with Christ’s Church Services and “Liturgy.” The Bible says very
blood (Ac. 20:28). (10) It is Christ’s body (1 Co. 12:27). little about the church meetings and gives no set
Faithfulness to the Church. Hebrews chapters 10 and “liturgy” or pattern of worship. We are only given a
13 give at least nine reasons why the believer must be couple of hints about how the early churches conducted
faithful to the church: (1) Steadfastness (10:23). The their meetings. We do know that they had organized
believer needs the church so he can remain steadfast in meetings that were different from the everyday house to
his faith. (2) Fellowship (10:24). The believer needs the house fellowship (1 Co. 11:22; He. 10:25). Paul rebuked
fellowship and example of the believers. (3) the Corinthians for treating the church services like a
Responsibility (10:25). The believer has a responsibility common activity at home. Thus, even though the church

140 Way of Life Encyclopedia of the Bible & Christianity