Sure-Foundation: CHURCH

CHURCH

A. What is “The Church” of God?
Church, in Greek is ‘Ecclesia’ = called out ones.
  1. It is Founded by Christ, Matt 16:18, 1 Cor. 3:11
  2. All believers of the New testament, Matt. 16:18, Eph. 5:25, Heb. 12:23
  3. Local groups of believers, Heb. 10:25,
  4. Jerusalem Acts 8:1
  5. Antioch Acts 13:1,
  6. Corinth 1 Cor 1:2,
  7. Thessalonica 1 Thess.1:1
  8. ‘House-churches’ Col. 4:14-16
  9. Groups are called ‘churches’, Acts 9:31, 15:41, 16:5 Rom. 16:4, Gal. 1:2, Col. 4:15-16
  10. It is a Mystery, between the Cross and the Crown, 1 Peter 1:9-12, Matt. 16

Revealed by Paul, Eph. 1:22-23, 3:1-11
  • An ‘Ecclesia’, ‘Called out ones’ Acts 15:13-18, Eph. 1:4-10
  • The Body of Christ, Acts 7:38-49, Eph. 1:22-23, 2:11 -22, 4:15:16, 1 Cor. 12:12-31, Rom. 12:4-5
  • For whom he gave his life, Rev. 1:18, Col. 3:4, 1 John 1:1-2, 5:1-12
  • It is a Living Temple as Christ, John 2:19-21, 2:21
  • HE is the Foundation, Matt.16:18, 1Cor. 3:16-17, 12:18,
  • Architect, Eph. 2:19-22,
  • Builder, 1 Peter 2:5, Matt.16:18
  • Christ’s Bride, 2 Cor. 11 :2, Eph. 5:25-32, Rev. 19:6-8,
  • The Life Giver, Eph. 5:23-32,
  • His Body, Eph. 1:22-23,
  • The City, Phil. 3:20, Heb. 12:22, Rev. 21:2, 22:19

It has only Regenerated members, Acts 2:47, Eph. 1:22-23, Rom. 12:4-12, 1 Tim. 3:15.
  1. With Christ as the Head can form a local Assembly, 1 Cor. 12:12-27, Col. 3:17.
  2. Infant Baptism or baptismal regeneration do not make a church-member.
  3. True partnership is ‘with God’ 1 John 1:3,
  4. ‘with one another’ 1 John 4:20.
  5. ‘The Church’ is not another name for Jewish Synagogues, John 1:7.
  6. It is not a Kingdom. It is not an Organisation. It is

B. Living Organism.
What is the ‘Church’ to Believers?
  1. A Nursery, where babes in Christ receive the Milk of the Word. An appropriate diet of teaching that suits the individual ability to digest.
  2. A School, Col. 3:16, where the more mature student receives the Meat of the Word. Encouraging growth and the ability to both “pass on to others and to be able to defend their faith. Matt 11 :29, Acts 2:42
  3. A Home, where Correction, Discipline, Obedience and Forgiveness are applied, Eph. 2:22, 1 Cor. 5:1-6, 11 -13, 14:40, 2 Cor 2:7-8, 1 Tim. 1:3, 5:19-22, 2 Tim. 1:6-9, 1 Thess. 5:14, 2 Thess. 2:11 -12, 3: 6-8, Titus 1:11 -16. Also study Rev. ch. 2 and 3.
  4. A Fellowship, where the personal needs are attended to through careful interaction. Acts 2:44-47, Gal. 3:28.
  5. A Temple, (spiritual) where we gather for prayer, James 5:13, worship, love each other, John 13:34, and share burdens. Gal. 6:2

C. What should the Church Believe and Teach?

  • “Sola scriptura” The whole Old and New Testament as it applies to our dispensation. John 16:13.
  • The Fundamental Doctrines of the Faith (most are included in this publication.) Acts 2:42, 1 Tim. 6:3, Titus 1:9, 2:1.
  • Preach the gospel to every creature. This means both in our area and on the mission field.
  • Appropriate teaching to help the believer to live an exemplary life in their culture and in all circumstances. 2 John 9-11
  • Men and Women have distinct spheres of service. With Christ as the Head, the men are to minister and govern under Him with the women serving in their spheres.
  • There is no room for competition. 1 Cor. 11 :1-16, see also ch.14
  • Receive the Tithing, Offerings and sacrifices from the members, and distribute to the needy in and outside the fellowship and to the missions they have a burden for. Prov. 3: 9-10, Mal. 3:8-10, Mark 10:21, 12:41-44, Acts 11 :29, 1 Cor. 16:2, 2 Cor. ch.8 & 9 6.
  • Share God’s Word in all the world. Psalm 25:4-5, Matt. 13:3-23, 28:19, Luke 16:1:14, Acts 1:8, 1 Cor. 2:13-17, 2 Tim. 3:14-17, Rev. 1:3, 22:14

7. Encourage each other in the faith and in holy living. Titus 1:9, 2 Tim 4:2

  • Separation from the world.
  • From its evil, Gal. 1:4, 1 John 5:19, John 17:14-19, Gal. 2:20, 5:24, Col. 3:1-3
  • Love not the world, Phil. 3:19-20, Col. 3:2, 1 John 2:15-15
  • Love not ‘money’, Prov. 13:7, 21:20, 23:4-5, 28:20-22, 1 Tim. 6:10
  • Work to His glory, 1 Cor. 10:31-33, 2 Cor. 5:10
  • Grieve not the Holy Spirit, Rev. 2:5, 3:14-22
9. Church ordinances. (see ‘E’ below)

D. Why so Many Different Churches?
There is only one true church; ‘The body of Christ’ i.e. regenerated individuals who are found in many ‘church’ organisations or denominations which have different accents and focuses, like a tree which has many branches, with many shapes. A branch, grafted in Christ, will have the Holy Spirit flowing through it and produce good fruit in its season.

E. What are its Ordinances?
  • Scripture gives us two ordinances, Baptism and the Lord’s Supper.
  • In Baptism the believer gives public witness to the death and burial that has already been experienced in the re-birth. Matt. 28:18-20, Mark 16:15, 16, Acts 2:38-41
  • Doctrine of baptism. Romans 6:1-11 , Gal. 3:27, Eph. 4:5, Col. 2:12, 1 Peter 3:21
  • It is symbolic, and significant. Romans 6:4, 1 Cor. 12:13, Gal. 3:27, Eph. 4:5, Col. 2-12
  • It’s mode: Baptizo: dipping a vessel in to draw out, or dipping a garment into dye, ie ‘immersion’. See Acts 8:36-39
  • Practised in Acts, 2:41, 8:12-13, 8:36-39. 9:18, 10:47-48, 16:15. 16:33, 18:8, 19:5
  • Lord’s Supper they fulfil the request from Jesus to remember his sacrifice, death and resurrection till his return.
  • Doctrine. 1 Cor. 10:16-22, 11 :23-29
  • Institution. Matt 26:26-29, Mark 14:22-24, Luke 22:14-20, John 6:53-58, (Jesus would have use local wine, (which has little or no fermentation) and ‘unleavened bread.’
  • Observance. Acts 2:42, 20:7. It is not to be taken unworthily. 1 Cor. 10:16, 11 :27-34
  • Purpose. It is ‘in remembrance’ and ‘until’ 1 Cor. 11 :25-26

F.Who is to Govern the Church?
  • Christ is the absolute and only Head of the church. Eph. 5:23-27, Col.1:18.
  • The government in the local Assembly is through the church recognising elders (because of the work they have already done in the church) who are gifted by the Holy Spirit, Col. 1:25, who must take responsibility to care as under-shepherds. Acts 20:28, 1 Cor. 3:7-9, 9:16-18, 2 Cor. 3:6, 1 Tim. 3:1, 2 Tim. 4:2, 1 Thes. 2:4, Titus 1:7, 1 Peter 5:1-3.
  • They are not elected but given the respect upon recognition of their gifts and pastoral care. Acts 13:2, Rom.1:1, Eph. 4:11 , 2 Tim. 2:2.
  • The Assembly may also charge Deacons (with the right gifts) to attend to temporal matters.

G. Will the Church Ever Cease to Exist?
  • · It has yet to be presented to Christ, Eph. 5:27
  • · It will be Consummated at Christ’s Advent, John 14:2-3, Rev. 21:3, 21:9