Nature of a Church

Prayer:
That God will bless us in our study of the doctrines during this year.



The term Church occurs in the New Testament more than a hundred times. The word thus translated means congregation or assembly; but it does not indicate the purpose for which the congregation or assembly meets. Hence it is used, Acts 19:32, 39, 41, and rendered assembly. In every other place in the New Testament it is translated church. In its application to the followers of Christ, it refers either to a particular congregation of saints, or to the church as an institution. It is employed in the latter sense in Ephesians 1:22; 3:21; 5:25, 27. Here we have the expressions, "Head over all things to the Church;" "To him be glory in the Church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages world without end;" "Christ loved the Church and gave himself for it ... that he might present it to himself a glorious Church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish."



The above Scriptures referred to by Dr. Pendleton do not refer to a universal, invisible body called by many "the mystical body of Christ into which all believers are born at the time of their salvation." These scriptures refer to the church as an institution.

Always, in its application to the followers of Christ, the word church refers either to a particular church or to the church as an institution. The New Testament knows nothing of an invisible, universal body of Christ. The "one body" of Ephesians 4-4 is the local, independent self-governing, democratic body we know today as a Baptist church. "One body" means one kind of body, even as "one baptism" means one kind of baptism. The church as an institution is referred to in a few passages but is always localized in time as the "church at Jerusalem," "the church at Antioch," "the church here" or "the church there."

Our business, however, is with the other signification of the word church. In a large majority of instances it is used in the Scriptures to denote a local assembly, convened for religious purposes. Thus we read of "the church at Jerusalem" (Acts 11:22), "the church of God which is at Corinth" (I Cor. 1:2), "the church of the Thessalonians" (I Thess. 1:1), "the church of Ephesus" (Rev. 2:1), "the church in Smyrna" (Rev. 2:8), "the church in Pergamus" (Rev. 2:12), etc., etc. Nor are we to suppose that it required a large number of persons to constitute a church. Paul refers to Aquila and Priscilla and "the church that is in their house" (I Cor. 16:19), to Nymphas and "the church which is in his house" (Col. 4:15), and in his letter to Philemon he says, "to the church in thy house" (Vs. 2). A congregation of saints, organized according to the New Testament, whether that congregation is large or small, is a church.

The inspired writers, as if to preclude the idea of a church commensurate with a province, a kingdom, or an empire, make use of the following forms of expression, "the churches of Galatia" (Gal. 1:2), "the churches of Macedonia" (11 Cor. 8:1), "the churches of Asia" (I Cor. 16:19), "the churches of Judea" (Gal. 1:22); but they never say the church of Galatia, the church of Macedonia, etc. Wherever Christianity prevailed in apostolic times there was a plurality of churches.

In answer to the question, What is a church? it may be said: A church is a congregation of Christ's baptized disciples, acknowledging him as their Head, relying on His atoning sacrifice for justification before God, and depending on the Holy Spirit for sanctification, united in the belief of the gospel, agreeing to maintain its ordinances and obey its precepts, meeting together for worship, and cooperating for the extension of Christ's kingdom in the world. If any prefer an abridgment of the definition it may be given thus: A church is a congregation of Christ's baptized disciples, united in the belief of what He has said, and covenanting to do what He has commanded.

If this be a correct description of a church of Christ, it is manifest that membership must be preceded by important qualifications. These qualifications may be considered as moral and ceremonial.



Discussion by Leader

1. The importance of the church in the life of the believer.

2. Why every Christian should be faithful in all church services.

3. How can we make this church a better church?



Parts for Assignment:

1. The word "church" in the New Testament.

2. Explain the plurality of churches in the Bible.

3. What constitutes a church?



Discussion Questions:

1. How many kinds of churches or bodies do we find in the New Testament?

2. Were all churches the same kind or were there different denominations in the New Testament period?

3. If there was only one kind of church in the New Testament period, how do we account for so many differing denominations in the world today?

4. Can all of these different kinds of churches be right? If not, why not?

5. Are all Christians in the church? If not, why not?

Midi paling is;
Oh, What Fellowship