The foundation of the Church is Jesus, and the Church is living body of Christ for redemption of souls of men from eternal destruction. The Church is built to serve local communities of believers and do global mission work. The Church is also to participate fully in the Christ’s commission, which is to take gospel to all people. The Church shall continue to be relevant for as long as people are relevant in the presence of God. Ephesians 5:29,30 – No man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the Church; for we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. The followings are discussed: Foundation of the Church; Symbols for the Church, and Community of Faith.
Foundation of the Church: Before Jesus began teaching his disciples about his death and resurrection he asked them question about who they thought he was. They gave different answers similar to what anyone could say about Jesus today. Some said he was one of the greatest prophets (like Elijah, Jerimiah, John the Baptist among others, Matthew 16:13-19) . We too could have placed Jesus in the highest of human categories, but doing that will be inadequate. Peter gave the real answer, “Thou art the Christ, the son of living God”. Peter’s confession was beyond human reasoning, it was divine revelation. There is divine and eternal blessing for everyone doing his own part of the mission work.
There is no other foundation that man can lay aside Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 3:10,11). Jesus has laid the Foundation of the Church which believers should build upon as the wise ‘master builders' . An individual should build what can stand on Christ, the Foundation. Enemies of Church have always attacked the Foundation, thinking they can weaken it and cause it to fall. They have ridiculed and rejected the deity of Christ - his birth, atonement death, resurrection and second coming. Despite all attacks the Foundation stays.
The Symbol for the Church: Symbols or metaphors are used to describe the Church in the New Testament. The church is described as a Flock of Sheep (Acts 20:28) which means the members need a leader as a ‘shepherd’ who is to protect and provide for their needs. Apostles Paul committed the elders to oversee the affairs of the members of the Church that is, to provide for physical and spiritual needs.
The Church as a Field or a Building means all ministers and workers are ‘labourers together with God’ (1 Corinthians 3:9). All labourers on the field or a building are working together with the Owner. We are working together with God to build His Church. No one owns the Church. It belongs to God. It is absolutely wrong to personalise a Church except you are referring and directing others to the physical structure in which you are worshipping.
The Church is Christ’s Body. Paul referred to the Church as a body of Christ (Ephesians 1:22,23). He revealed that God has put everything under Christ’s feet and made him the head of His Church. As the head Christ directs God's people and expresses God’s will to the world. Christians are expected to be an expression of Christ, “the fullness of Him that filleth all in all”
The Church as Christ’s Bride is shown in Ephesians 5:25-27. Here the Church is described as the Bride of Christ. Jesus loved the Church and gave himself to it so that he could make it holy and acceptable in all good manners.
The Church is a Community of Faith, made up of people reconciled to God by Christ (Ephesians 2:13-18 ). Before the coming of Christ there was a separation between the Jews and the gentiles, but through his death and resurrection the barrier was broken, thus people were reconciled to God. Whether Jews or gentiles, all people now have access to God and can build relationship with Him.
The Church must be a Holy Temple. Paul said gentile believers were no longer strangers and foreigners. As many people as reconciled to God have the right to citizenship in His kingdom. Through faith in Christ we are fellow citizens with the saints (Ephesians 2:19-22). Lesson Texts: Matthew 16:13-19, Acts 20:28; 1 Corinthians 3:9-11; Ephesians 1:22-23; 2:13-22; 5:25-27.
Foundation of the Church: Before Jesus began teaching his disciples about his death and resurrection he asked them question about who they thought he was. They gave different answers similar to what anyone could say about Jesus today. Some said he was one of the greatest prophets (like Elijah, Jerimiah, John the Baptist among others, Matthew 16:13-19) . We too could have placed Jesus in the highest of human categories, but doing that will be inadequate. Peter gave the real answer, “Thou art the Christ, the son of living God”. Peter’s confession was beyond human reasoning, it was divine revelation. There is divine and eternal blessing for everyone doing his own part of the mission work.
There is no other foundation that man can lay aside Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 3:10,11). Jesus has laid the Foundation of the Church which believers should build upon as the wise ‘master builders' . An individual should build what can stand on Christ, the Foundation. Enemies of Church have always attacked the Foundation, thinking they can weaken it and cause it to fall. They have ridiculed and rejected the deity of Christ - his birth, atonement death, resurrection and second coming. Despite all attacks the Foundation stays.
The Symbol for the Church: Symbols or metaphors are used to describe the Church in the New Testament. The church is described as a Flock of Sheep (Acts 20:28) which means the members need a leader as a ‘shepherd’ who is to protect and provide for their needs. Apostles Paul committed the elders to oversee the affairs of the members of the Church that is, to provide for physical and spiritual needs.
The Church as a Field or a Building means all ministers and workers are ‘labourers together with God’ (1 Corinthians 3:9). All labourers on the field or a building are working together with the Owner. We are working together with God to build His Church. No one owns the Church. It belongs to God. It is absolutely wrong to personalise a Church except you are referring and directing others to the physical structure in which you are worshipping.
The Church is Christ’s Body. Paul referred to the Church as a body of Christ (Ephesians 1:22,23). He revealed that God has put everything under Christ’s feet and made him the head of His Church. As the head Christ directs God's people and expresses God’s will to the world. Christians are expected to be an expression of Christ, “the fullness of Him that filleth all in all”
The Church as Christ’s Bride is shown in Ephesians 5:25-27. Here the Church is described as the Bride of Christ. Jesus loved the Church and gave himself to it so that he could make it holy and acceptable in all good manners.
The Church is a Community of Faith, made up of people reconciled to God by Christ (Ephesians 2:13-18 ). Before the coming of Christ there was a separation between the Jews and the gentiles, but through his death and resurrection the barrier was broken, thus people were reconciled to God. Whether Jews or gentiles, all people now have access to God and can build relationship with Him.
The Church must be a Holy Temple. Paul said gentile believers were no longer strangers and foreigners. As many people as reconciled to God have the right to citizenship in His kingdom. Through faith in Christ we are fellow citizens with the saints (Ephesians 2:19-22). Lesson Texts: Matthew 16:13-19, Acts 20:28; 1 Corinthians 3:9-11; Ephesians 1:22-23; 2:13-22; 5:25-27.
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