The Church – Christ’s Body

Lesson 8

The purpose of the study before us is to learn something of the origin and nature of the church revealed in the New Testament.  We hear the word “church” used in a variety of ways today. Not all uses are scriptural. Some people use it to refer to a building, some to a man-made organization, and some to what amounts to a religious social club. We want to learn how the word is used in the New Testament.

I.    IN THE NEW TESTAMENTS THE WORD “CHURCH” IS USED OF A BODY OF PEOPLE WHO BELONG TO THE LORD.

A.  “Church” Is From The Creek Word “Ecclesia”

1.   The literal meaning of ecclesia is “to call out” It was used among the Greeks of a body of citizens gathered to discuss the affairs of state, Acts 19:39.

2.   The word was used in a very special way by Jesus and the apostles to describe a body of people who are “called out” by the Lord.

a.   It is the body to which the saved are added, Acts 2:47; Matthew 16:18.

b.   Christ is the head of this body of people, Ephesians 1:22-23; Colossians 1:18.  The terms “body” and “church” are used interchangeably in these verses.

3.   It is proper for us to conclude that the church is not a building, but s body of people who are called out of the world by Christ.  It is the body of the saved, Ephesians 5:23.

B.   The Word Church Is Used In At Least Two Senses In The New Testament.

1.   It can refer to the called out in a given locality, 1 Corinthians 1:2; Galatians 1:2.  This is what we sometimes call the “local church.”

a.   Note that in Galatians 1:2 reference is made to a number of local churches in one province.

b.   Some more examples of local churches: Romans 16:16; 2 Corinthians 8:23-24.

2.   “Church” can also refer to all the called out the world over. This uses the term in a universal sense. See Matthew 16:18; Ephesians 5:23-25.  These passages do not speak of the local congregation, but of all of the saved, regardless of locale. This is the “universal church.”

C.   Being “Called Out” Is A Divine Calling, 1 Peter 5:10.

1.   We are called into the fellowship and peace of the one body, 1 Corinthians 1:9; Colossians 3:15.

2.   As a result of our calling we have a new relationship. Romans 9:25-26; 1 John 3:1.

3.   We now belong to God, 1 Corinthians 6:19-20.

4.   The price paid for our calling was the blood of Christ, Acts 20:28; 1 Peter 1:18. Since the church was bought and paid for by Christ, its ownership is in Christ.

a.   This is why the church is referred to as ‘the body of Christ,” 1 Corinthians 12:27.

b.   Jesus spoke of “my church” in Matthew 16:18, again denoting His ownership:

D.   The Church Is The Body Of The Saved.

1.   There is but one body and one Savior, Ephesians 4:4-5; 5:23.

2.   Entrance into the one body is by baptism, 1 Corinthians 12:13.

II.   THE BIBLE USES ANOTHER TERM TO REFER TO GOD’S PEOPLE: THE KINGDOM.

A.  “Church” And “Kingdom” Are Often Used Interchangeably, Matthew 16:18-19.

B.   The Kingdom Was Foretold In Prophecy, Daniel 2:44; Mark 9:1.

1.   Christ is the King over the Kingdom, just as he is Head over the church, John 18:36. Notice, that just as he spoke of “my church,” he also spoke of “my kingdom.”

2.   The people in the kingdom and the people in the church and the people in the body are one and the same, Colossians 1:13-18; 3:15.

C.  If The Kingdom And Church Are The Same, Then They Must Have The Same Rules Of Admission.

1.   Note that entrance into the kingdom involves water and the Spirit, John 3:5.

2.   Entrance into the body of Christ the church, is the same, 1 Corinthians 12:13.

III.  THE BIBLE ALSO USES THE TERM “HOUSEHOLD OF GOD” TO DESCRIBE THE SAME PEOPLE.

A.   God Is The Father And Christ Is The Son Over The House, Ephesians 3:14-15; Hebrews 3:6.

1.   Those in God’s house are called sons and heirs, Galatians 4:4-7; Romans 8:15-17.

2.   There are but two kinds of children, those of the devil and those of God, 1 John 3:10.

B.   What Are The Terms Of Admission Into The Household Of God?

1.   They must be the same as the church/kingdom, for the household of God is the same body of people as the church/kingdom though described by another term.

2.   One becomes a member of God’s family by birth, 1 Peter 1:23.

3.   The seed, the word of God given by the Spirit, produces faith in Christ, which leads one to be baptized into Christ, Galatians 3:27.

C.  All Of God’s Children Are In God’s Family.

1.   It the church is God’s family, how many churches does God have?

2.   How many of God’s children are in the church?

3.   What would be the consequence of saying “God has children who are not in his church”? ·

Conclusion:  Remember, respect for Christ demands that we respect the body that he purchased with his own blood, Acts 20:28.

QUESTIONS:

1.   What are some common uses of the word “church” that are not consistent with the scriptures?

2.   What difficulties did you have, as you learned the gospel, in understanding the truth about the church?

3.   In this lesson we discussed a few of the terms the Bible uses to describe the church.  We discussed the “body of Christ,” the “kingdom,” and the “household of God.” Can you find some more Bible terms used to describe God’s people?

4.   In the previous question you may have found some references like “church of God,” 1 Corinthians 1:2, or “churches of Christ,” Romans 16:16.  What does terminology like this mean? Are these talking about different kinds of churches?  Explain your answer.

5.   In your own words, describe the difference between the local church and the universal church.

6.   What are some things you have heard in the world that show disrespect for the church?

 

Page last revised January 19, 2008 by Bob Sarrett.