THE CHURCH LESSON 9  OCTOBER 28, 2000

These lessons are from the Seventh Day Baptist Church of Toronto

STUDY SCRIPTURES:      MATTHEW 16:13-20;  ACTS 2:41-47;  ROMANS 12:4-5; 15:5-7

                                             1 CORINTHINAS 12:12-13:  EPHESIANS 2:19-22; 4:11-16

                                             COLOSSIANS 1:18:  HEBREWS 10:23-25

INTRODUCTION

We are now at the stage where we begin to focus on the fact that once a person is saved, and has experienced the new birth, their life ceases to be simply an individual matter of concern, but instead they are now in a life where they are not alone in any meaningful sense.

This means that converted individuals are now in a group of believers, and reconciled and placed into fellowship not only with God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, but into fellowship also with the believers. This new relationship with the believers is what we call the Church, and now it points to completely new area of Christian life.

The word ‘church’ is in translation into English of a Greek word which means ‘ assembly’ or  'gathering’.  The word as used in the Scriptures never referred to a building but referred to a specific local congregation of Christians.

The word was also used by the Jews for the ‘ congregation’ of Israel that was established formally at Mount Sinai, and which met at the annual feasts. 'The congregation’ thus referred to Israel, which had been gathered together by God as a people ruled and directed by Him.

The word meaning ‘assembly’ or ‘Church’ was one of the two main words also used by the Jews to refer to the People of God, Another specific word meaning the ‘synagogue’ was the other word used. 

It must be remembered that the ‘ Church’ first consisted mainly of Jews, and they, whether Greek speaking or God fearing Gentiles, looked at the Church as having its roots in the Old Testament, believing that they too were the people of God named in the Old Testament.

Those in the church therefore drew freely from the Old Testament, for this was the Scriptures to them.  They applied Old Testament images to themselves, explaining their status as was done in 1 Peter 2: 6-10.  They considered themselves to be grafted into the Olive tree of Israel, which they considered to be the true olive tree, called themselves the children of Abraham, as well as fully expecting the promises to Israel to also come to them.

The early Church believed that Jesus was the Messiah that the Jewish nation had long looked for.  Jesus’ personal disciples and followers were all Jewish, and Jesus' ministry was directed mainly toward the nation of Israel, drawing from them the people that would be the foundation of the church, and missionaries for this new addition to his kingdom.

It is quite clear therefore that the people of God have been and will be related to God in a particular way.  It was in Israel and in the Church established by the Apostles that we find God's special people and God's special agents.  It is there alone that we find the divine presence and activity, and God dealt with the world only through those instruments.

The Scriptures therefore present Israel as being distinct from the world, being separate from it, and established for the purpose to transform the world.

In the same way, the Church was regarded as the people of God, and given the Gospel, the good news of salvation. Though separate from the world, their mission was to reconcile the world to God, and bring the world to believe in God.

Some people have tended to believe that the world can come to God by many ways and through many structures.  But the Scriptures indicate that God had a good reason for establishing Israel, and for establishing the Church.

The congregation of the people of God should therefore look seriously at the history of the people that God created, and examine the things, good and bad, that the people of God have done.  They must understand the reality of the situation.

There has always been one people of God, and there always will be one People of God.  Israel has always been the Apple of God's eyes, and so is the Church regarded. The Scriptures have told us that all the people of God are now brought together in the Son of God Jesus Christ.

It cannot be overemphasized that the word ‘ Church’ really means “belonging to God”.  The church is thus centered around the fellowship with God through Jesus Christ.  At its core are the Commandments of Jesus and the activities that flow when his people act in line with his wishes.

It should also be remembered that the stress or meaning in the term is to a local assembly of believers, whether meeting in the city, or in houses, or in a larger area.  The specific local group is not regarded as a part of the whole Church, but each group in every different place is the whole Church.  The church is not the sum of individual local groups.  Each group, no matter how small, represents the total Church .

The church therefore has a universal nature.  It might be where two or three are gathered together in the name of Jesus, but irrespective of the amount of people, the Church is considered to be fully present.

In the study which follows, we will look at several images used to describe the Church.  We would also look at the relationship between the Church and Kingdom of God, the Church and Israel, the functions of the Church, the Biblical guidelines and practice in the government of the Church, and see what we can learn by looking at specific churches.

The Biblical imagery used to describe the Church tell us in great detail about the nature of the Church, how God regards the church, and how it is supposed to function in the world.

The most important image of the Church is its description as the body of Christ. Paul in Romans 12 discussed the absolute necessity for holiness, for a rejection of the values of the world, and for dedicated service to God. This would lead to humility and a rejection of self-exaltation and conceit. He then gave the reason why believers should have such an attitude to each other.

Verses 4 and 5 highlight the fact that just as the body has many members, but is still one body, so there are many believers, but only one body. Most important that one body was in Christ, and each believer, being in Christ, was in unity with every other member.  Paul having laid that basis, could discuss the matter of spiritual gifts, and show how and why these gifts were given by the Holy Spirit.

In 1 Corinthians 12:27, Paul again discussed how believers should live, and the matter of spiritual gifts. In the discussion about the unity of believers, he again discussed spiritual gifts at length, and made it abundantly clear that the believers, the Church, were the body of Christ, and members were individually a part of that Body.

This image of believers as members of the Body of Christ emphasizes that all those who are saved are in union with Christ.

Christ is the Head of the Body (Colossians 1:18) and each believer are the individual parts or members of that body. The parts are guided and controlled by the Head, who has all authority and power. See Colossians 2:9-10.

This image also stresses that fact that all who are in the body of Christ are connected to each other. There is therefore no such thing as a purely personal individual relationship with Christ. The solitary, isolated, and hermitlike Christian life is not the ideal or recommended form of the Christian life. Every believer is connected to, and depends on the other Christian. See 1 Corinthians 12:12.

The gifts given to individual members are therefore not for their own satisfaction, but are for the

edification of the Body of Christ, and for building up the Body so that it can come to full maturity.

Since members belong to one body that has one aim and purpose, and is led by one Head, there should be no division, no competition, no hostility and infighting, and only perfect coordination and cooperation.

Ephesians 2:21, and 4:11-16 emphasizes this close, loving and holy relationship. Galatians 6:1,2 thus can call on believers to be active in restoring those who defiled themselves, and to bear one another’s burdens.

There must be genuine fellowship and a concern for others and their difficulties. See 1 Corinthians 12, Ephesians 4, and 1 Peter 2:5.

In this regard, we find another image. The church is compared to a building. See Matthew 16:18, 1 Corinthians 3:10, and 1 Peter 2:5 among the other passages.

The believers, members of the Church, can thus appreciate and see themselves as being the Temple of the Holy Spirit. Believers and the Church are indwelt by the Spirit, which gives life. See 1 Corinthians 3:16-17; 6:9; 2 Corinthians 6:16, Ephesians 2:20-22.

The Spirit demands holiness of life, since God can only live in the light. The light and holiness that belong to the Temple of God must therefore be seen in the believer and in the Church. If the fruit of the Spirit is not found there (Galatians 5:22-23) there is no true Church.

Note that all this flows from the fact that believers are made the People of God. This is a powerful image of the Church. See 2 Corinthians 6:16.

God chose his people in the Old Testament and he chose his people in the New Testament. See Exodus 15:13-16, Deuteronomy 32:9-10, Hosea 1:9-1-; 2:23; 1 Thessalonians 1:4; 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14; Romans 9:24-26.

People were chosen, created, and adopted by God, and he therefore loved, protected, and guided them. There was therefore not to be divided loyalty. The people of God were in covenant relationship with him, and hence purity, holiness, and obedience to Him and his Word followed logically.

The relationship between believers and Christ was so close that we find the beautiful image that Jesus was the Vine, and his people were the branches. See John 15:1-11. This continued the idea that Israel was the Vineyard of Jehovah, and he had cared and tended it lovingly. Now all believers were branches in Christ.

The preciousness of the people of God, who were so called because they were in covenant relationship with God, was shown by several images.

They were described as the "Apple of God's eyes". (Deuteronomy 32:10;Zechariah 2:8) They were described also as "a crown of glory", and a "royal diadem". (Isaiah 62:3;Zechariah 9:16). See also Malachi 3:17 where Israel is described as God's jewels.  Similar imagery appears in the New Testament.

The Church is also described as the "Bride of Christ". See Isaiah 62:5, Romans 7:4; 2 Corinthians 11:2; Revelation 19:7; 21:2, and 22:17. Jesus pictured himself as the Bridegroom often. See Matthew 9:15; 25:1-7; John 3:29.

Another revealing and beautiful image used is that of Israel and the Church as the family of God. See Isaiah 63:16; Hosea 11:1; John 1:12; Romans 8:15; 2 Corinthians 6:18; and Galatians 4:5-6. As Family, there are certain high things that are connected with this status.

As such, believers are called Children of God,(Matthew 5:9; Luke 20:36; Romans 8:16-21; 9:26; 1 John 3:10), Sons of God (John 1:12; Romans 8:14; Phillippians 2:15; Galatians 4:7), Sons of Light (Luke 16:8; John 12:36; Ephesians 5:8; 1 Thessalonians 5:5), and Heirs of God (Romans 8:17; Galatians 3:29; Hebrews 6:17).

A very comforting but unflattering image of the believer and the Church is that of the Flock of God. Isaiah 40:11, Zechariah 9:16; John 10:12, 16:32; 1 Peter 5:2 and many passages compare believers to a flock, and connect this with Jesus as the Shepherd of the sheep.

Of course, it is often pointed out that sheep have the most bizarre behaviour, and disconcerting habits. It is often necessary for the shepherd to apply discipline, and exhibit tremendous patience over and over again. 

One author, Paul S. Minear, suggests that there are over one hundred images used in the New Testament to describe the Church. This testifies to the extensive relationship that God has with his people, and points to the all encompassing nature of the obligations of the people of God to him and to their brethren.           

THE VISIBLE VERSUS THE INVISIBLE CHURCH

The extensive nature of the images suggest that one should expect any group that professes to belong to the Body of Christ, and so be eligible to call themselves the Church, to readily submit to having their walk and their performance compared to that taught by the images.

This is critical for Jesus himself warned us in the Parable of the Wheat and the Weeds in Matthew 13:24-43, and in the Parable of the sheep and the Goats in Matthew 25:31-46 that there would be deceit and hypocrisy. 2 Timothy 2:19 assured us however that the Lord knows those that are his. Jesus himself stated that his sheep knew his voice.

Whatever the claims that groups might make therefore, we know that only true believers are acceptable to God. Mere profession or membership in a visible group is not sufficient to make an individual one of the People of God. In addition, those that are People of God, will show the marks of the Body, such as assembling with each other where possible, and showing by word and deed that they are sensitive to, and concerned about the brethren, as well as the salvation of the souls of unbelievers.

The visible Church should therefore make every effort to display its relationship to God, and to show that the Holy Spirit exists within it, by displaying the fruit of the Spirit. The true Church will

carry out God's will by the power of the Spirit, and will aim for purity and devotion to God. It will follow closely the commandments of God, and though it will not be perfect, will strive to improve its faith and work, and grow in sanctification.

God has always required his people to have faith in him, to trust and obey him, and to walk with him. It was so from the time of Adam and Eve, all through the ages, and from the inception of Israel, to the coming of Jesus, and to our days.

WHEN DID THE CHURCH BEGIN

The Church, in the sense that it is the manifestation of the Kingdom of God with the Coming of the Jewish Messiah, and his incorporation of Gentiles into the Vineyard, can be said to have begun at Pentecost. There is really no solid or definitive statement to that effect, but Matthew 16:18, 18:17 has been used to support this position as to the time of the inception of the Church.

But in view of the clear teaching that the people of God existed before the Coming of Christ, and the great promises about his Coming, and the blessings he would bring for all the world, leads one to think that there is not such a significant split among the people of God, that warrants such an interpretation.

The sweep of Scripture is not to represent the incorporation of Gentiles into the People of God, as brushing aside all history previous to this event. The Holy Spirit came at Pentecost in fulfillment of promises made to Israel, and to correct their rebelliousness. The Coming of the Messiah is certainly a pivotal event for the remnant of God, and it is not too helpful to propose theories that suggest that the church is anything but a continuation of the presence of and ministry of Jesus Christ in the world. 

The people of God are one people, and the body of Christ is one body. Our emphasis is very important, for this is the only way to avoid being guilty of ignoring Paul's pointed and emphatic warnings to Gentiles in Romans 11.

THE ROLE OF THE CHURCH

Note again the identity of the followers of Christ. This identity is the orbit in which believers move.

The People of God are especially and totally related to Christ. They are in Christ, and have been given the Spirit of Christ.

He is the Head, and the believers are his Body.

They are a building of God.

They are the Bride of Christ.

Christ is the vine and they are the Branches.

They are the Flock of God, and Christ is the Shepherd.

They are the Family of God.

They are the children of God.

They are the Elect of God.

They are the Apple of God's eyes.

These and all the remainder of the over a hundred images, show that Christians are one with Christ.

Their role is therefore described over and over again. Peter puts it this way

"Ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light."  (1 Peter 2:9)

The heart of the role of believers and of the Church is therefore absolute dedication in holiness and ministry.

Holiness comes about because the believer and the Church have a new nature, and are indwelt and empowered by God the Holy Spirit. The fruit of the Spirit is therefore manifested in the life of the believer and in the life and activities of the Church. This is at it must be for all those who profess the name of Christ. There can be no compromise on this matter. The presence of the fruit of the Spirit identifies those who belong to God, and those who are simply professing with their lips.

Ministry is carried out in the power of the Holy Spirit. Ministry can be stated in general terms, as in 1 Thessalonians 5:12; and Hebrews 13:7. It is also described specifically by the titles or descriptions of work listed such as

Deacons  (1 Timothy 3:1-7),

Elders      (1 Timothy 4:17-20)

Pastor       Ephesians 4:11

Teacher     1 Corinthians 12:28

Prophet      1 Corinthians 12:28

Evangelist   Ephesians 4:11.

In addition many gifts are listed, and it is made clear that these gifts are given to all believers as the Holy Spirit wills, for the work of ministry. The Church is the light of the world, the salt of the earth, and the leaven which leavens the whole lump. Accordingly, the Holy Spirit gives believers the ability to perform their tasks, and lives within them to guide, direct and take them to full maturity.

As the People of God, who have been endowed with the ability to continue the work of Christ, the church was explicitly instructed to

"Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit;

Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you"  (Matthew 28:19-20)

Note that the call to evangelize is a command. The Church is under the rule of Christ, and has been given the power and ability to be witnesses all over the world. (Acts 1:8) The message of Christ was to be spread without restriction. Each believer has this obligation, and there is no escaping it.

Each believer and the Church collectively, must therefore carry the message of Jesus.

Jesus preached that the Kingdom of God was at hand, and called on all to believe the Gospel and repent. (Mark 1:14-15) This message of course was in fulfillment of Isaiah 61:1-2 and quoted in Luke 4:18-19.

This proclamation of the "good news" was detailed by the Apostle Paul, who noted that

"it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek." (Romans 1:16)

This Gospel was spelled out

"Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God.

(Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,)

Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh;

And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead." (Romans 1:1-3)

This was the gospel, for it saved men, gave them life and peace, and removed the condemnation of death. This gospel was the only means to save men and to make them partakers in the blessings of eternal life.

There could therefore be no modification, alteration or addition, to this gospel. (Galatians 3:1-10).

The Church has been entrusted with the only "Good News" that this world will ever receive.

The task of the Church therefore is to protect, preserve, and carry the Gospel to every person who ever lives. Believers are saved, and since they have the love of God in their hearts, they too are not willing that any should perish. The Church must work at presenting the Gospel of the kingdom to all men , and work hard to persuade them.

THE EDIFICATION OF BELIEVERS

Note that Jesus instructed the believers to teach all men. This includes the people of God. It was very important that they be built up and brought to full maturity so that they would do their mission. See Ephesians 4:12-29; 1 Corinthians 12 and chapter 14.

Believers are to be instructed and taught so that they too can teach others. (Matthew 28:20; 2 Timothy 2:2) Believers must be able to give an account of their faith to others. Therefore the gifts given by the Holy Spirit are intended to edify, and equip the Church.

As the work of evangelization proceeds, the matter of edification of believers becomes more and more important. This is so, because there is another false Gospel, and another Jesus, which is not the true one.

Proper instruction and the requirement that believers study the Scriptures regularly for themselves, will preserve the Church from gross error and heresy. Unfortunately, the Church is most often lax in this matter of teaching the true doctrine, and encouraging personal study of the Bible itself (not commentaries and other books from the then popular religious guru). As a result, the Church has significantly lost its power.

WORSHIP

As was the practise in the old Testament, the believers worshipped and exalted God. The People of God must declare the greatness of God, praise and glorify him, focusing on who God is, and what he wills for his creation. This activity in itself is a part of the process of edification, and building up the strength of the Church for its witnessing.  

In worshipping also, the Church bears witness to the power of God in their individual lives, both to believers and unbelievers alike.

SOCIAL CONCERNS AND CARING FOR OTHERS

God and his Son Jesus cared for the poor and the needy, and the Scriptures often emphasize that the People of God should do likewise. (Deuteronomy 10:17-19; Matthew 25:31-36)

The Parable of the Good Samaritan emphasized this aspect of the work of the Church. In fact, practical Christianity is a test of the truth of a person's profession of faith. See James 1 and 2, and 1 John 3:17-18.

Clearly, if the Church does not pay attention to this command, and does not reflect the nature of God, it will be shown to be a fake. The record of the Church needs improvement. Many in the church have done great work, but many ignore this responsibility.

It often appears that Churches which stress the new birth and regeneration do less than they should, but this is likely not the case for those Churches involved in worldwide evangelism. The record of the Church though, is generally spotty.

Clearly, Jesus and the Scriptures have given the Church its task. It is to preach the Gospel, and it is to show practical concern for men. There can be no radical separation of the tasks, and neglect of any component. All the commands of Jesus must be done, and it is not acceptable that we argue about where our emphasis should be, and then neglect significantly one or more  our tasks. The Church must be flexible, and as Jesus did, go to where the needy is. He has given us an example.

GOVERNMENT OF THE CHURCH

The primacy of the Apostles appear to have been accepted by the early Church. These men were directly commissioned by Christ and were the foundation pillars, Jesus being the chief cornerstone. Those men who knew and worked with Jesus exercised general authority, and it is noted that they sent men to investigate and if necessary validate developments in Samaria (Acts 8:14). They also formed the core of the Jerusalem council which decided on a common policy with respect to Gentiles (Acts 15).

James, the brother of Jesus, rose to prominence in the early church in Jerusalem, and seems to have acted as Chairman or Moderator at the Acts 15 meeting. The word and teachings of the  Apostles were the basis for teaching in the Church, however.

Deacons were elected by the congregation to take the pressure of non-teaching work from the Apostles, but in the case of Stephen and Phillip, the Holy Spirit directed them in other specific activities, different from those for which they were first chosen.

The Scriptures refer to elders and Pastors, Prophets and Teachers, along with Deacons as forming the leadership of the Church. Gifted men led by the Spirit performed according to their offices, leading and participating in worship, and indications are that this was a co-operative type of leadership, rather than a monarchial system.

The people chose the leaders in some cases, while in other cases they were appointed by the Apostles or those acting as their representatives. Paul seemed to have appointed leaders in Churches that he had established.  In some cases he had Timothy and Titus, his personal lieutenants in missionary work, exercise his authority and appoint leaders in the Churches.

In every case though, the feeling was that the people, or the Apostles, in selecting the leaders, were doing what God had already done. See Acts 20:28, 1 Corinthians 12:28, Ephesians 4:11-12. It was held that it was God who had chosen the leaders, and the Church therefore had to ensure that these leaders met up to the stated requirements as commanded by Jesus and the Apostles.

There is no specific instruction as to what the perfect government structure of the Church should look like. But it is probably safe to say that the New Testament does not present a picture that is anywhere near the fully developed systems of Church government that we find today. We know that the modern system of having a Pastor who is at the top of the hierarchy, guiding and doing everything, and stressing himself out, is not patterned after any biblical model.

It might be that there is no perfect system or model. But at the same time there are certain principles that were laid down.

First, the congregation of God, had some considerable say in choosing of the leaders, even when the Apostles were around and exercised their Apostolic authority. Leaders were chosen after much prayer and consideration, in the light of the qualities that God required in those exercising authority. Those chosen had to be of good repute, full of wisdom and the Holy Ghost. It was not simply choosing from a seniority list. It had to be accepted that the Holy Spirit was doing the choosing, that the Spirit had gifted the person for the task, and that that person was accepted by the Spirit.

Second, it was acceptable that some decisions be made by assemblies of the believers and leaders from the local congregations. In this regard it must be stated that, the Acts 15 Council was convened and attended by the Apostles, who were inspired and guided by God. Whether or not this model will always work when men of lesser status than the Apostles dominate, is a matter open to question.

But it can be argued that men of God can meet in assembly and make decisions as long as these decisions are based and guided by the Holy Spirit and the Word of God. The results from historical "Church Councils" leave much to be desired, though some good work has been done. Generally we find that councils become dominated by political considerations rather than by the demands of the Word of God. But it is possible of course to have assemblies or Councils that are guided by the Word of God and the Holy Spirit.

Third, Jesus gave considerable warnings about those, even among the Apostles, who loved to establish their mastery over others. Jesus called his people to serve and not to be masters, and not to seek rank over others. Read Luke 22:25-27. Paul also warned the Corinthians about false teachers and false apostles whose aim was to deceive and rule others, leading them to disasters. See 2 Corinthians 11:13.

Both Jesus and the Apostles referred to the exercise of authority by the Church body. See Matthew 18:15-17, 1 Corinthians 1:2, 1 Corinthians 5. Clearly then, the Church body does have an important role to play in maintaining the holy life of the believer.

The value of Church government is clearly to maintain order, and the Scriptures have laid down a pattern for us. This pattern requires some to be in authority, after due election by the congregation and then exercising their given authority in particular ways only.

Those elected must have conformed to the standards laid down in Scripture, or their election would be in opposition to the Word of God. Once elected, they must behave in the was that Godly leaders are required to behave, or they will come under the judgment of God. They must be men who have been endowed by the Holy Spirit for the particular tasks, and there must be evidence of this in their prior behaviour, and in their future behaviour.

There does not appear to be any concept of our kind of representative democracy in the Scriptures. The Bible insists that all believers are priests of God and Christ. Each person is fully capable of going directly to God, and are to be taught so that they can learn to respond to the leading of the Spirit.

Our difficulties come from our unwillingness or lack of understanding about who People of God are, and what is required of them. We have the evidence and the warnings from the behaviour of the Corinthian and other churches. We must avoid the errors of those Churches.

The general tendency has been in the church to lower the level of truth, both in teaching and in its application to life.

The letters to the churches in Revelation warn that the conduct, character, and beliefs of believers must never conflict. The Word of God is sufficient for doctrine and for life. Worldly compromise must never take place, and believers should pray that God deliver them from experiments with the world.

It is required that we hold fast the name of Christ, displaying his Deity. The gospel is the only thing that will deliver from sin and give eternal life. It is at the heart of our mission.  

If believers were truly prepared to follow the leading of the Spirit, and obey the commandments in the Scriptures, the Church would retain its power and perform its task admirably.

Regretfully, history has shown us that men living after the first Coming of Christ, tend to disobey, just as Israel did. They tend to compromise and inject the world into the structures that have been established.

We in the Church tend to reject the warning of Paul and continue to do as we please. True believers will always hear the voice of God, and turn from their error. It is therefore most critical that we understand that if we are people of God we must be holy, and demonstrate that we have the mind of Christ. We cannot be led out of the path by seeking after things which are spectacular, but which do not profit.

Let us listen to what Paul says in Romans 11:20-22,36.

"Be not highminded, but fear:

For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed least he also spare not thee.

Behold therefore the goodness and the severity of God: on them which fell,severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness; otherwise thou also shall be cut off...

For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever."

But we remain confident that the grace of God will save those that belong to him.