THE CHURCH - WHAT IS IT?
Timothy Conklin
The word "church" strikes strangely different meanings in today's thinking. The word might bring to mind the thought of a cold, impersonal organization or the image of a fiery religious movement.
The church can be a congregation. A church can be a particular denomination or religious organization. The word "church" can refer to a building used for religious purposes, or to something that is distinct from a chapel. "The church" can be something held in contrast to "the world." In the Bible "the Church" as the Body of Christ (the term applied to God's people today) has special meaning reflected in none of the other foregoing usages.
We discover the frightening possibility that the object many people have in mind could be quite different from that which God intended. Tradition has imposed distracting, stereotyped meanings and misunderstanding has dulled the Biblical impact of the word "church."
Do you understand the "church" as God has revealed it to be understood? Do you understand your relationship to it? What could be more important than to personally trace this grand subject in the Word of God?
The English word church originates from the Greek word KURIAKOS, which means "of, or belonging to, the Lord." The English term comes to us directly through the Anglo Saxon CIRCE and the Scottish KIRK.
The New Testament Greek word for "church," however, is EKKLESIA, and is always translated "church" except in Acts 19:32,39,41, where it is rendered "assembly." Taken literally, EKKLESSIA means "assembly," or a gathering of "called-out ones."
Perhaps you will be somewhat surprised to discover that there is more than one church in the Bible! The following is a survey of the New Testament use of the Greek word EKKLESIA:
(1) A body of citizens gathered to discuss the affairs of State - Acts 19:39 ("a lawful assembly")
(2) A multitude in a riot — Acts 19:32,41 ("the assembly")
(3) Israel as a nation — Acts 7:38 ("the church in the wilderness")
(4) Redeemed Israel in the future — Matthew 16:18 ("I will build my church").
(5) Believing Jews and Gentiles bonded together apart from nationality - Ephesians 1:22,23; I Corinthians 12:13 ("the church which is His body").
You will find the term EKKLESIA 115 times in the New Testament. By understanding the Biblical use of the word, you will be in a position to know precisely which church is being spoken of in any given passage.
There are numerous places where specific "called-out ones" are said to be gathered together. Such gatherings may be connected either with the nation Israel and the Millennial Church or the Body of Christ, God's people of this age. For the former notice Matthew 18:17 and Acts 2:47; for the latter see I Corinthians 1:2 and I Thessalonians 1:1.
The distinctive character of "the church which is His [Christ's] body," is important to see. This Church is the real and genuine "church" of the time in which we are living. This assembly was not formed until the ministry of the Apostle Paul. Read carefully Romans 16:25,26; Ephesians 3:1-11; Colossians 1:24-27 ;Ephesians 1:1-14.A Divine Organism
The church can be a congregation. A church can be a particular denomination or religious organization. The word "church" can refer to a building used for religious purposes, or to something that is distinct from a chapel. "The church" can be something held in contrast to "the world." In the Bible "the Church" as the Body of Christ (the term applied to God's people today) has special meaning reflected in none of the other foregoing usages.
We discover the frightening possibility that the object many people have in mind could be quite different from that which God intended. Tradition has imposed distracting, stereotyped meanings and misunderstanding has dulled the Biblical impact of the word "church."
Do you understand the "church" as God has revealed it to be understood? Do you understand your relationship to it? What could be more important than to personally trace this grand subject in the Word of God?
The English word church originates from the Greek word KURIAKOS, which means "of, or belonging to, the Lord." The English term comes to us directly through the Anglo Saxon CIRCE and the Scottish KIRK.
The New Testament Greek word for "church," however, is EKKLESIA, and is always translated "church" except in Acts 19:32,39,41, where it is rendered "assembly." Taken literally, EKKLESSIA means "assembly," or a gathering of "called-out ones."
Perhaps you will be somewhat surprised to discover that there is more than one church in the Bible! The following is a survey of the New Testament use of the Greek word EKKLESIA:
(1) A body of citizens gathered to discuss the affairs of State - Acts 19:39 ("a lawful assembly")
(2) A multitude in a riot — Acts 19:32,41 ("the assembly")
(3) Israel as a nation — Acts 7:38 ("the church in the wilderness")
(4) Redeemed Israel in the future — Matthew 16:18 ("I will build my church").
(5) Believing Jews and Gentiles bonded together apart from nationality - Ephesians 1:22,23; I Corinthians 12:13 ("the church which is His body").
You will find the term EKKLESIA 115 times in the New Testament. By understanding the Biblical use of the word, you will be in a position to know precisely which church is being spoken of in any given passage.
There are numerous places where specific "called-out ones" are said to be gathered together. Such gatherings may be connected either with the nation Israel and the Millennial Church or the Body of Christ, God's people of this age. For the former notice Matthew 18:17 and Acts 2:47; for the latter see I Corinthians 1:2 and I Thessalonians 1:1.
The distinctive character of "the church which is His [Christ's] body," is important to see. This Church is the real and genuine "church" of the time in which we are living. This assembly was not formed until the ministry of the Apostle Paul. Read carefully Romans 16:25,26; Ephesians 3:1-11; Colossians 1:24-27 ;Ephesians 1:1-14.A Divine Organism
An organization is quite different from an organism. The first is a lifeless, mechanical structure while the second is a vital, growing creation.
The Church, the Body of Christ, is an organism.
Undoubtedly there are many people today who think of church as a kind of big business. Executives and various staff personnel order and execute an enormous variety of activity in the name of the church. In fact, some so-called churches own industry and real estate and operate them on a profit making basis.
Within the structure of popular denominations, church work operates like a well oiled machine. The congregation is divided into small committees. A region appoints numerous task forces to accomplish specific tasks. The home office, or headquarters, offers guidance, direction and command through appointed channels. And these channels in turn filter the information down through the or ganizational chain until the final link is made with the local congregation.
Certainly such practices lend ample support to the idea that the church of today is indeed an organization.
However, the human arrangement of spiritual affairs may or may not be in harmony with the revealed will of God in the Bible. Too often we are ensnared by this subtle trick of equating tradition with eternal truth. The supreme source of authority is the everlasting Word of God. We must always compare human insight with Divine revelation.
Scripture teaches that the Body of Christ is an organism; a living thing pulsating with potential growth and maturity. Remember, it is a Body (corporate individuals gathered together in Christ) with a Head (the source of rule and function); namely, the Lord Jesus Christ (Colossians 1:18; I Corinthians 12:13-27). Furthermore, consider the words of Ephesians 4:16:
"It is from Christ that the whole body, adjusted and fitted together by every ligament with which it is supplied, by the harmonious functioning of each and every part, acquires the power to grow up as a perfect organism, built up in love" (paraphrase by F. F. Bruce).
The Apostle Paul speaks of believers as "living epistles" (II Corinthians 3:1-3). In another place he refers to them as being accomplished through a process of progressive stages of spiritual growth (II Corinthians 3:18).
Finally, consider the clear teaching of Ephesians 2:20-22:
"And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief corner stone; In Whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy Temple in the Lord: In Whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit. "
The Church, the Body of Christ, is not an organization but a true organism in spite of external appearances. You see, this Church is spiritual in nature; invisible rather than materially obvious.
Spiritual In Nature
Contrary to much teaching today it is absolutely impossible for a person to become united with the Body of Christ by joining any organization. (See the tract in this series entitled, "The Church: How to Join It.")
The Body of Christ is an invisible company of believers united with Christ by the grace of God through the work of the Holy Spirit.
"For' by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit" (I Corinthians 12:13).
In other words, all genuine believers are members of the Body of Christ by virtue of their belief in the Person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ as revealed in God's Word for our time.
Salvation introduces the redeemed one into his everlasting relationship with Christ and his fellow spiritual brethren. Because no man can positively discern the spiritual welfare of other men in every instance, the Body of Christ consists of an uncertain number of believers. And because God is no respecter of persons, representatives of nations all around the world are involved in the make-up of Christ's Body.
Therefore, due to its spiritual nature and universal breadth, this Church is really invisible to the eyes of mankind.
Individual members of the Body of Christ might well be of different racial backgrounds and belong to differing denominational persuasions. The point is, God has not sanctioned just one externally organized group today as His single avenue of approach to men. (This was not always true, however. See the tract in this series entitled, "The Church: How Is It Different?")
Whoever and whenever a person believes the message of God concerning his sin and the provision of Christ for that sin, his faith, by the grace of God, brings the individual into redemption and the Body of Christ.
"For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation" (Romans 10:10).
Unity In Spirit
Someone has most graphically described the difference between Union and unity. Imagine two tomcats tied tail to tail and hung over a clothesline! That is union but hardly unity.
All kinds of religious mergers are taking place these days. Groups which were once splintered from a parent organization are agreeing to a sufficient compromise which allows them to band together once again. Others with more severe differences and no historic ties are engaging in high level counsel, seeking to effect an eventual union.
The most infamous of all such man made unions is the "one church" ecumenical movement. It is the fancy of some influential religious leaders that all men ought to be a part of one colossal, super church. The advocates of this dangerous design suggest that "Christians" abandon all conviction or persuasion which might threaten other "Christians" who harbor more liberal ideas.
These promotions and programs, varied in method but similar in goal, pump their water from the wrong well. That is to say, religionists are constantly depending on human resources and human ingenuity to establish human intentions. The inevitable result of this activity is a product fashioned after its designer; a human organizational union.
The Bible makes it plain that the Church, the Body of Christ, is a Divine organism patterned after a Divinely revealed spiritual unity.
"/ therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, with all lowliness and meekness, with long-suffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, and in you all" (Ephesians 4:1-6).
Perhaps it is easier to grasp the thrust of this passage by looking at it in the following manner:
ONE BODY ONE SPIRIT ONE HOPE
ONE LORD ONE FAITH ONE BAPTISM ONE GOD
This demonstrates the wonderful correspondence of these precious truths. There is one Body corresponding to one God; one Spirit explaining the nature of the one baptism; one hope relating to one faith; one Lord because, "Of Him, and through Him, and to Him, are all things: to Whom be glory for ever. Amen" (Romans 11:36).
To know that God has already established His outline of unity is of immense importance. Men are not expected to arrange -or formulate a basis of unity; they are enjoined to conform to the revealed pattern. All human statements of spiritual conformity must be measured against God's clear standard expressed in the above Scripture. Any differences on the human side must be abandoned or changed to the will of God.
The Bible also explains the true union of fellow believers. All genuine believers are already joined together, "for we are members one of another" (Ephesians 4:25). Compare I Corinthians 12:27.
Our first loyalty is to God and His Word. Whatever contradicts or compromises this pre-eminent loyalty is not worthy of allegiance. We need to examine the real, eternal foundations of spiritual union and unity. We must, at all cost, embrace the righteous teaching of God and ignore the false, foolish, fluctuating doctrine of mere men and their tradition.
Out of What Has It Been Called
In the simplest expression, a "church" is an assembly of called out ones. Obviously, such a group must have been called out of something and called into something else. For example, the riotous mob at Ephesus (Acts 19:32,41), was composed of more or less ordinary Ephesian citizens who were called out of their usual life style and called into a balking, shouting crowd until it grew into a full scale riot.
The Church, the Body of Christ, has indeed experienced a call from one form of existence to another dramatically different from the first. In that great passage of Romans 5:12-21, God reveals through Paul that believers have been taken out of Adam and placed into Christ. In the Colossians letter, chapter 2:13, Paul expresses the same truth this way: ^
"Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of His dear Son. "In still another verse we have these words: "For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death" (Romans 8:2).
Adam is the father of humanity. In a mysterious, and yet horribly real way, Adam passed on his act of rebellion and rejection of God's will to every human creature fathered by his seed. That ignoble inheritance which everyone shares in common is called the Adamic nature. Because of this, all men are naturally opposed to God. We prefer darkness, we want to be self-sufficient apart from God, we sincerely desire to keep away from enlightenment about our sin and the provision of the Lord Jesus Christ.
In fact, if it were not for the sovereign grace of God, not one soul would ever come to Christ for salvation (Romans 3:10-12; John 6:44). Nevertheless, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, many are saved through personal trust in Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour.
Through salvation and consequently becoming a member of the Body of Christ, every believer is delivered from the awful,, inevitable wrath which God will one day pour out on the world of the ungodly.
"For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ" (I Thessalonians 5:9).
"For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive" (I Corinthians 15:22).
All in Adam, every unbeliever, people refusing to accept the message of God concerning their need of deliverance from the power of sin, will assuredly be damned to an eternity of incomprehensible agony in their willful separation from God. There is no hope of anything less for sinners today outside the Church which is His Body (I Thessalonians 4:13).
The descriptions the Bible offers of the eternal state of the unbeliever are wretched and shocking. Hell is real. Damnation is certain. Everlasting torment is inescapable for Christ rejectors. Never ending separation from the sweet, joyous presence of a righteous God surrounded by holy angels and redeemed saints is the guaranteed goal for all stubborn sinners who refuse to be saved.
God has called the Church, the Body of Christ, out of this horrifying, hopeless judgment. He has taken us out of Adam and despair and placed us into Christ and deliverance. Praise God for His matchless grace!
Unto What Has It Been Called
Realizing that the Body of Christ has been removed from the sphere of destruction and hell, consider the positive side of its translation. Profound as it may be, members of His Body have been called to participate in the glory of God (Ephesians 1:12).
There is a rare word used only twice in the entire New Testament (II Thessalonians 1:10,12) and translated "glorified in" which sheds some light on the believer's future in eternity. At the coming of Christ for the Church which is His Body, the Lord will be "glorified in His saints." That phrase, "glorified in" is actually one word in the original language of the New Testament. Literally, it means to be "in-glorified."
Whatever else is taught in these verses, we are to understand that the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ will not be confined to Himself or merely among His saints, but that glory will be distributed in and through those who believe in Him!
Through the inscrutable era of eternity His Body will share in the blaze of splendor peculiar to God alone. Of course such things are utterly impossible to describe or comprehend. Whaseems to be words of eloquence and grandeur are nothing but poor tokens of what will really be.
It is enough for us to know that presently believers have already been delivered from the pleasure, penalty and power of sin. At the Rapture we shall be delivered from the presence of sin. Only righteousness awaits the Body of Christ. That which is evil in any way will be absent from the future of Christ's Church.
Precisely what fellowship in the glory of God entails is beyond our perception before the resurrection. In a feeble at tempt to say something regarding this, Paul wrote:
"For all things are yours; whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours, and ye are Christ's; and Christ is God's" (I Corinthian3:21-23).Summary
A "church" is many things. This article has been concerned about the Church mentioned in the Bible called "the body of Christ." While there are other Biblical churches, this Church is the only called-out assembly in God's present spiritual program.
In contrast to the mechanical organizations of today, the Church which is Christ's Body is an organism. Its structure is invisible and spiritual, being comprised of all true believers throughout the Dispensation of Grace.
God has revealed the basis of unity for the fellow members of the Church. Man made traditions and creeds must be brought into harmony with what God has plainly declared in His Word.
The Body of Christ has been called out of an existence doomed to everlasting degradation. As a result of this call, the Church looks forward to an eternity of intimate sharing of the glory of God Himself.
Are you a part of this great company of believers, dear reader? Are you a member of the Body of Christ, the only true church of God today?
Rejoice and praise God if you are. If you are not, throw yourself in humble faith on the hope which stems from the grace provided in the Person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ.
"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God. Not of works, lest any man should boast" (Ephesians 2:8
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