The Church
The Church Universally. Within scripture, a distinct organism, called the church, exists. Before the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ, scripture declared that the church would come into existence (Matthew 16:18). After the death, burial and resurrection Jesus Christ, scripture declared that the church had already come into existence (Acts 8:1-3).
The preaching of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ resulted in people becoming forgiven of sins (Acts 2:36-38), in people becoming saved (Acts 2:47), and in people becoming members of the church. Therefore, becoming forgiven of sin is equivalent to becoming saved which is equivalent to becoming a member of the church.
The message of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ brought the church into existence. A response of faith to the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ causes one to become forgiven of sins, saved and a member of the church. What is an adequate response of faith? Adequate responses of faith include:
Believing that Jesus is the Christ the Son of God is an adequate response of faith. The death, burial and resurrection proves that Jesus is the Christ the Son of God (Acts 15:7).
Since Jesus is the Son of God, what he says is true. Therefore, only those who believe that Jesus is the Christ the Son of God, can become forgiven of sins, saved, and members of the church (Acts 8:35-39).
Repenting of sin is an adequate response of faith (Acts 17:30). Repentance is a change of mind that takes place in our heart. We must change our minds about sin. In repentance we accepted what we had neglected and/or rejected relative to God's standard.
Becoming baptized is an adequate response of faith; for, it is our response to the call of God (1 Peter 3:21). Baptism takes place while a penitent believer is in the water (Acts 8:36-39). When we believe, repent, and are baptized we become forgiven, saved and members of the church.
The prophets of old predicted that God would provide a "new" institution of his people (Isaiah 2:2-3; Micah 4:1-2; Zechariah 1:16).
That new institution will be international (Revelation 5:9), interracial, (Galatians 3:27-29), and indestructible (Acts 20:28).
God intends for all of his people to be one (John 17:21). Scripture calls the body the church (Ephesians 1:22-23). Seeing that there is just one body; there must also just be one church (Ephesians 4:4).
The church is the one family of God. All of God's children are within his family (1 Corinthians 12:12-14, 20, 27). There are no Christians outside the church.
Some people believe that all denominations are really united as one. They believe that all denominations constitute the one true church of Christ.
Both the Pharisees and Sadducees experienced the baptism of John (Matthew 3:4-7). Together they tempted Jesus (Matthew 16:1).
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Both the Pharisees and Sadducees cooperated in their religious activities. They appeared to be united as one.
The apostle Paul skillfully exposed their opposition to each other (Acts 23:6-8). We ought to expose the divisiveness of denominationalism.
How can we expose the divisiveness of denominationalism?
Expose the differences in their beliefs. The Sadducees were rationalistic. They denied the resurrection of the dead, the existence of angels and spirit (Acts 23:8a).
The Pharisees were legalistic. They believed in the resurrection of the dead, the existence of angels and spirit (Acts 23:8b).
Expose the differences in behaviors. The Pharisees taught that there would be a resurrection, yet they opposed the very one who would be raised (Matthew 22:15-22).
The Sadducees taught against the resurrection and opposed him who would be raised (Acts 4:1-4).
The Church Locally. The church exists as a universal body and as a local body of believers. Universally it is divided into individual congregations or local churches.
Every disciple of Christ should identify with a local congregation of the church of Christ. Each week each local congregation should assemble and provide an opportunity for its members to worship God and edify each other (Hebrews 10:23-25).
God designed the church to advance his ideas and ideals (Ephesians 3:10). It must perpetuate the distinctive message that causes the church to come into existence. That message is that Jesus is both Lord and Christ (Acts 2:36). As the Christ, Jesus is our redeemer. As Lord, Jesus is our ruler.
The church must also perpetuate the distinctive ministry that carries the church into its existence. This ministry consists of evangelism. Evangelism consists of a thorough indoctrination of what we possess in Christ, and a complete explanation of how we come to possess those spiritual possessions. Before we can evangelize, we must first be edified to grow in spiritual wisdom. Therefore, we gather for edification (1 Corinthians 14:5, 12, 26), but we scatter for evangelism (Acts 8:4-5).
God has divided the responsibilities among:
(A) the evangelist, who may also be considered as the minister or preacher. He teaches and trains all facets of the church (body) in all phases of its work. The New Testament books of First Timothy, Second Timothy and Titus provide valuable insight into the work of an evangelist.
(B) the elders, they may also be called bishops, overseers, pastors, and/or shepherds. They model, supervise and administrate the affairs of the church. These passages of scripture, (Acts 20:17-35, 1 Timothy 3:1-7, Titus 1:5-16), and (1 Peter 5:1-3) speak directly and by implication to the work of elders.
(C) deacons, designated servants who may also be called messengers or ministers. The New Testament book of (1 Timothy 3:8-13) outlines the character qualities for deacons. The Bible does not assign to the deacons their responsibilities; therefore, they are specified supporting servants who receive their assignments of work from the evangelist and/or elders.
(D) all other members, they should be gainfully employed, participating in the ministries of the church (Ephesians 4:12-16).
God opposes religious divisiveness. He opposes division within the local congregation (1 Corinthians 1:10) and within the universal body (John 17:20-21).
Denominationalism embraces religious divisiveness; for, the very concept of denominationalism (1/2) means division. Therefore, God opposes the divisiveness of denominationalism.
Since God opposes the denominational divisiveness, we ought to expose the divisiveness of denominationalism.
Call attention to the doctrine taught by others. Jesus warned his disciples about their doctrine (Matthew 16:1-12).
Written Review for Lesson Twelve
Write within the blank the letter of the term that is related within the lesson and then transfer answers to ANSWER SHEET. Each correct answer is worth five (5) points each.
1. ___ prophets a. Becoming a member of the church
2. ___ the church b. After the death of Jesus
3. ___ brought the church into existence c. the message of the death burial and resurrection of Jesus
4. ___ becoming saved equals d. Predicted the coming of the church
5. ___ the church came into existence e. God's united and unified family
Fill in the blanks. Five points each.
1. The church is the new ____________________ of the people of God.
2. God intends for all of his people to be ______________.
3. The church is a distinct _________________.
4. The church exists universally and ___________________.
5. Every disciple should identify with a _________________body of believers.
True or False. Five points each.
1. ______ Baptism has no relationship to the church
2. ______ All members should participate in the ministries of the church.
3. ______ We should gather for edification.
4. ______ The evangelist teaches and trains in all facets of the church.
5. ______ Deacons receive their specific assignments from the evangelist and/or elders
Circle the one answer that best answers the question or completes the statement and then transfer answers to the ANSWER SHEET. Five points each.
1. God has divided the responsibilities in the church among the
a. Evangelist
b. Elders
c. Deacons
d. All members
e. All of the above
2. The elders may also be called
a. Bishops
b. Pastors
c. Shepherds
d. All of the above
e. Both B & C
3. The church is to be
a. International
b. Interracial
c. Indestructible
d. All of the above
e. Both B & C
4. The church exists
a. Universally
b. Locally
c. Only in the mind of the members
d. All of the above
e. Both A & B
5. Adequate response of faith include
a. Believing
b. Repenting
c. Becoming baptized
d. All of the above
e. Both A & B
