Page 3 - The Church and Education PDF Pro

any conditions of obedience upon its fulfillment. The surety of promises made rests solely on God’s
faithfulness and character, and does not at all depend upon David or Israel’s performance or obedience.
This promise is significant because it shows that the Messiah will establish a kingdom from which He will
reign from a literal throne. Again, this promise is made to David and his seed (Israel)--- a promise to
send a Savior and King. It is NOT a promise made to the church or transferred to the church.

So while the idea of the “called out” assembly existed within the specially chosen nation of Israel, the
concept of the church in an age of grace was unknown before Christ’s death on the cross. But that both
Israel and the church are representatives of Christ on earth is true. In the Old Testament, Israel was to
make God known to the nations. In the age of a New Covenant (grace), the church has been called to
bring the world to repentance and salvation through Christ – to make Him known. God has chosen
people to represent Him.

Before Jesus Christ was crucified, He presented Himself to Israel as their King. The Jews rejected the
Kingdom under Christ and the apostles. That Kingdom, now rejected, will be set up again when Messiah
returns to reign as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. That is a future event. So when we pray, “thy
kingdom come” our prayers are for the lost to yield their hearts to the Gospel of Grace. But we also can
pray, “thy kingdom come” in a literal sense, waiting for the coming of the Lord to fulfill His promises to
Abraham and David --- a literal kingdom.

The Birth of the Church

It is from the New Testament primarily, if not really exclusively, that the real meaning and
idea of the Church is derived. This mystery of the Old Testament was introduced at
Pentecost and will end at a future rapture and wedding feast. Two words are of special
importance in understanding what the church is:

1. Ecclesia – comes from two Greek Words meaning “to call out from.” This word is used
about 111 times in the New Testament. In Acts 7:38 Luke refers to Israel in the wilderness by the same
word. Again, this is why Israel is a type of the church in the Old Testament. But it is primarily referred
to the assembly of believers in Christ (Matt 16:18, 18:17, I Cor. 1:2, Eph. 5:25-27). The idea of being
specially “called out” is understood in the book of Romans.

Romans 8:30 And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he
justified, he also glorified.

2. Kuriakon – Greek word which means “that which belongs to the Lord.” We have “supper with the
Lord” (I Cor 11:20) and worship him on the “day of the Lord” (Rev. 1:10. Luke 22:25 and Romans 14:8-9)
to illustrate that the Lord had dominion and authority over the church.

DEFINITION: The church, therefore, is composed of the body of believers who have been called out
from the world, and who are under the dominion and authority of Jesus Christ.

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