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Christianity for Dummies - 10 - The Church

by Michael Russell
December 2002

Based upon a sermon series by Pastor Jim Henry, senior pastor of First Baptist Orlando, and enhanced with my personal commentary. Apologies to the book publisher for the title.

It goes by many names -- the universal church, the body of Christ, the bride of Christ, fellowship of believers, and more. But, what exactly is the church?

1. Key Scripture

The following Scripture are some key verses that describe the nature and origin of the Church. The discussion that follows is based upon these verses and more.

Matthew 16:13-19 (NIV)
When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?”
They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”
“But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”
Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven. And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”

Colossians 1:15-18 (NIV)
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy.

Ephesians 3:20-21 (NIV)
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

Ephesians 1:22-23 (NIV)
And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.

Acts 1:8 (NIV)
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 (NIV)
Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope. We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. According to the Lord’s own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage each other with these words.

2. A called out people

2.1. What it is not

The church is not a building. We may call the building, church, but that is just overloading the word.

The church is not a denomination or organization. Again, this is overloading the word, church. In fact, nowhere in the New Testament is there instruction for an institutionalized governing body to oversee the local assemblies. The church "government" and organization is purely at the local level. There were no denominations in the Apostolic churches between 33 AD and about 150 AD.

2.2. What it is

The Old Testament equivalent term for a body of believers was assembly or congregation. That term was used regardless of the setting.

In the New Testament, a local assembly of believers was referred to as the church. However, the whole universal body of believers is also referred to as the church. The term church indicated if it was a local setting or universal setting by the context of its usage in the Scripture verse.

2.3. It is not perfect

Do not be deceived -- No church is perfect. Every church has problems. It is interesting to note that all of the letters from the Apostle Paul were written to local churches that were having problems. His letters were instructions to them to clarify doctrine or to correct mistaken practices.

The active church is also the target of attack, both from inside and outside. False teachers and laypeople can bring down a church from the inside by destroying the ministry or giving the church a bad reputation. Otherwise, there are also many outside the church who hate it -- or more accurately they hate Jesus and thus hate the church by association. These can bring down a church from the outside by repeated attacks. A possible sign of a compromised church is that it is very likely not under attack.

3. A called together people

3.1. Nature of belonging

The church consists of only believers who have come into a personal, saving relationship with Jesus. Surveys show that a large number of people who attend a local church congregation are not "born again" in the sense Jesus describes in John 3. Many who belong to a church organization, do not belong to the church that is the body of Christ.

The church is not a social club, but it provides a social framework for believers.

The church has a set of rules for behaviour. These rules only apply to members and take affect AFTER the person is saved. That is, following these rules does not make a person a member. Instead, when a person is saved and thus becomes a part of the body of Christ, then he will want to change his behaviour to be more in tune with the head - Jesus. Again, the Apostle Paul's letters provide instruction to the local churches.

Finally, unlike the Army slogan, there is no "church of one". There is a common and very incorrect philosophy that a believer does not have to belong to a local assembly of believers. "Hey, I know Jesus, that's enough. I'm a church of one." However, this is against Scripture, which commands that believers are to join and become involved with a local assembly of believers. God created us as social beings, and the church provides the social network for believers.

3.2. Nature of community

The local congregation provides community to believers. Some of the benefits include:

• Fellowship (society)
• Relationshp (belonging)
• Mutual protection (protection)
• Discipleship (education and wisdom)
• Encouragement (purpose)

3.3. Nature of a good local church

The local congregation will exhibit several external evidences that it is a faithful and true church. These are characteristics to look for when searching for a local congregation. Some include:

• The teaching is Biblically based, not man based.
• The congregation is stable or growing.
• The ministry is outreaching and external; an emphasis on missions both local and far.
• The people exhibit joy and love.
• Finally, remember no church is perfect.

3.4. Nature of the ordinances

The local church should actively implement the two ordinance commanded in Scripture - The Lord's Supper and Baptism. The particular way these are performed is not important, but that they are performed on a regular basis. The ordinances do not save a person. The ordinances to bring the local church together to remember what Jesus did for the body of believers.

3.5. Nature of service

All members of the local church are commanded to be active. The church and the church membership are to be service oriented -- outward focused. The worship service is not for our personal entertainment, it is for worship and our enrichment to enable us to serve others. All believers have a place to serve in the local assembly. It can be as a teacher or a deacon or a provider of help. It can be in a public position like a pastor or behind the scenes like a janitor. Every role is vital.

4. A people called to go forth

The local church is commanded to be outward focused.

The first command is to go out into the community and be a witness about Jesus. The local church is to provide support for its missionaries. It is to touch the local community.

But, the church is also to provide good works in the community. This is more than doing good things. It is doing good things in God's way.

5. A people that will be called home

Finally, the church has a special relationship with Jesus. When Jesus returns, He will call the church to join Him. The church will have a special place prepared for the members in Heaven.

The beauty of this relationship is shown in how the church is referred to as the bride of Jesus.