01/27/19 THE CHURCH an article dlg

01/27/19 THE CHURCH an article dlg

In this article, from several years ago, I expressed my view of the CHURCH throughout my ministry. As we have passed through Philadelphia and as we are crossing into Laodicea, the reality of these truths becomes even more vital to personal salvation.

THE CHURCH IS GOD'S PLAN TO REACH THE WORLD.
THERE IS NO CHRISTIANITY WITHOUT THE CHURCH.

A. THE MAGNIFICENCE OF THE CHURCH
THE CHURCH is the most powerful, important wonderful body of people in the world. The Church is only mentioned two times in the four Gospels of the New Testament. Jesus said He would build His Church on the fact that He is the Christ, the Son of the Living God and the said that when there is dissension between followers of Christ, they should eventually bring the problem to the Church. But notice, when He said that He would build His Church, He said, “...the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” The Church is magnificent because it is His Church and it is built upon Christ and it is will prevail against the gates (the power, wisdom, resources) of hell.

B. THE MYSTERY OF THE CHURCH
THE CHURCH was God's idea from before the foundation of the world, though it was not known for four thousand years.

Basically, the Church is a BODY people who have a saving faith in Jesus Christ and follow the teachings of the Holy Bible. The body is universal, regional and local. In the Old Testament the people of God were distinguished by being part of the Jewish faith, practicing Jewish religious ritual, but God had always planned to include people of all racial backgrounds in a saving relationship with Himself. This plan is called The Church. The Church is not obligated to observe Jewish laws of sacrifice, diet or ceremony. The Church is comprised of people who trust in the sacrificial death and physical resurrection from the dead of Jesus Christ, as the only acceptable way to find God's approval. However, this plan did not become evident until after Jesus Christ came into the world.
(I emphasize portions in this comment by using all caps, since I cannot bold face).

Ephesians 3:3-9
(3) HOW THAT BY REVELATION HE MADE KNOWN UNTO ME THE MYSTERY; (as I wrote afore in few words,
(4) Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)
(5) WHICH IN OTHER AGES WAS NOT MADE KNOWN UNTO THE SONS OF MEN, AS IT IS NOW REVEALED UNTO HIS HOLY APOSTLES AND PROPHETS BY THE SPIRIT;
(6) THAT THE GENTILES SHOULD BE FELLOW HEIRS, AND OF THE SAME BODY, AND PARTAKERS OF HIS PROMISE IN CHRIST BY THE GOSPEL:
(7) Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power.
(8) Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;
(9) AND TO MAKE ALL MEN SEE WHAT IS THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE MYSTERY, WHICH FROM THE BEGINNING OF THE WORLD HATH BEEN HID IN GOD, WHO CREATED ALL THINGS BY JESUS CHRIST:

THE CHURCH was a MYSTERY (a secret) in the Old Testament, revealed to Paul in the New Testament. A Biblical Mystery is a secret that can only be discovered, understood, when God explains it or reveals it. The Church has been God's plan from the beginning, but was kept hidden from the human history until the coming of Christ and the teaching of Paul the apostle.

C. THE MASTER OF THE CHURCH
Remember, when Peter identified Jesus as the Christ, the Son of the Living God, Jesus said,
Matthew 16:17-18
(17) And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.
(18) And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I WILL BUILD MY CHURCH; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

1. THE CHURCH belongs to Jesus
The Bible says Jesus is the Head of the Church.
Ephesians 1:22-23
(22) And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,
(23) Which is his body, the fullness of him that filleth all in all.

Ephesians 5:23
(23) For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the savior of the body.

Colossians 1:18-19
(18) And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.
(19) For it pleased the Father that in him should all fullness dwell;

2. Jesus Died for THE CHURCH
Ephesians 5:23
(23) For the husband is the head of the wife, even as CHRIST IS THE HEAD OF THE CHURCH: AND HE IS THE SAVIOR OF THE BODY.

Ephesians 5:25-27
(25) Husbands, love your wives, even as CHRIST ALSO LOVED THE CHURCH, AND GAVE HIMSELF FOR IT;
(26) THAT HE MIGHT SANCTIFY AND CLEANSE IT with the washing of water by the word,
(27) 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.

Jesus is the only Head of THE CHURCH, on earth and in heaven. In fact, the Biblical models of the Church recognize the Authority of Jesus over the Church.

D. THE MODELS OF THE CHURCH

1. THE CHURCH is the BODY OF CHRIST
Ephesians 5:23
(23) For the husband is the head of the wife, even as CHRIST IS THE HEAD OF THE CHURCH: AND HE IS THE SAVIOR OF THE BODY.

1 Corinthians 12:27
(27) NOW YE ARE THE BODY OF CHRIST, and members in particular.

Ephesians 4:12
(12) For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, FOR THE EDIFYING OF THE BODY OF CHRIST:

Colossians 1:24
(24) Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the AFFLICTIONS OF CHRIST IN MY FLESH FOR HIS BODY'S SAKE, WHICH IS THE CHURCH:

2. THE CHURCH is the BRIDE OF CHRIST
1 Corinthians 11:3
(3) But I would have you know, that THE HEAD OF EVERY MAN IS CHRIST; AND THE HEAD OF THE WOMAN IS THE MAN; and the head of Christ is God.

2 Corinthians 11:2
(2) For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: FOR I HAVE ESPOUSED YOU TO ONE HUSBAND, THAT I MAY PRESENT YOU AS A CHASTE VIRGIN TO CHRIST.

Ephesians 5:23
(23) FOR THE HUSBAND IS THE HEAD OF THE WIFE, EVEN AS CHRIST IS THE HEAD OF THE CHURCH: and he is the savior of the body.

3. THE CHURCH is the BUILDING OF CHRIST
1 Corinthians 3:9
(9) For we are laborers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, YE ARE GOD'S BUILDING.

Ephesians 2:20-22
(20) AND ARE BUILT UPON THE FOUNDATION OF THE APOSTLES AND PROPHETS, JESUS CHRIST HIMSELF BEING THE CHIEF CORNER STONE;
(21) In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto a holy temple in the Lord:
(22) In whom YE ALSO ARE BUILDED TOGETHER FOR A HABITATION OF GOD THROUGH THE SPIRIT.

4. THE CHURCH is the ARMY, THE SOLDIERS OF CHRIST
Philippians 2:25
(25) Yet I supposed it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, and companion in labor, AND FELLOW SOLDIER, but your messenger, and he that ministered to my wants.

2 Timothy 2:3-4
(3) Thou therefore endure hardness, AS A GOOD SOLDIER OF JESUS CHRIST.
(4) No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may PLEASE HIM WHO HATH CHOSEN HIM TO BE A SOLDIER.

Philemon 1:2
(2) And to our beloved Apphia, and Archippus OUR FELLOW SOLDIER, and to the church in thy house:

5. THE CHURCH is the HOUSEHOLD, FAMILY OF CHRIST
Galatians 6:10
(10) As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are OF THE HOUSEHOLD OF FAITH.

Ephesians 2:19
(19) Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and OF THE HOUSEHOLD OF GOD;

Ephesians 3:15
(15) Of whom THE WHOLE FAMILY IN HEAVEN AND EARTH IS NAMED,

6. THE CHURCH is the PILLAR AND GROUND (SUPPORT) OF THE TRUTH
1 Timothy 3:15
(15) But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the HOUSE OF GOD, WHICH IS THE CHURCH OF THE LIVING GOD, THE PILLAR AND GROUND OF THE TRUTH.

E. THE MINISTRIES AND MINSTERS OF THE CHURCH

1. The GIFTS of the Spirit are given to and for THE CHURCH
1 Corinthians 12:27-31
(27) Now ye are THE BODY OF CHRIST, and members in particular.
(28) And GOD HATH SET SOME IN THE CHURCH, first APOSTLES, secondarily PROPHETS, thirdly TEACHERS, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.
(29) Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles?
(30) Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?
(31) But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet show I unto you a more excellent way.

All of 1 Corinthians 14.

Ephesians 4:11-12
(11) AND HE GAVE SOME, APOSTLES; AND SOME, PROPHETS; AND SOME, EVANGELISTS; AND SOME, PASTORS AND TEACHERS;
(12) For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, FOR THE EDIFYING OF THE BODY OF CHRIST:

Ephesians 4:15-16
(15) But speaking the truth in love, MAY GROW UP INTO HIM IN ALL THINGS, which is the head, even Christ:
(16) From whom THE WHOLE BODY FITLY JOINED TOGETHER and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh INCREASE OF THE BODY UNTO THE EDIFYING OF ITSELF IN LOVE.

2. THE CHURCH sent the APOSTLES TO PLANT CHURCHES
(The apostles not only made converts, they established fellowships, churches, and appointed elders for those churches).

Acts 13:1-3
(1) Now there were IN THE CHURCH THAT WAS AT ANTIOCH CERTAIN PROPHETS AND TEACHERS; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.
(2) As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, THE HOLY GHOST SAID, SEPARATE ME BARNABAS AND SAUL FOR THE WORK WHEREUNTO I HAVE CALLED THEM.

(3) AND WHEN THEY HAD FASTED AND PRAYED, AND LAID THEIR HANDS ON THEM, THEY SENT THEM AWAY.

Those converted to Christ became THE CHURCH
Acts 2:47
(47) Praising God, and having favor with all the people. AND THE LORD ADDED TO THE CHURCH DAILY SUCH AS SHOULD BE SAVED.

3. The Origin of THE CHURCH at Antioch
Acts 11:19-26
(19) Now THEY WHICH WERE SCATTERED ABROAD upon the persecution that arose about Stephen TRAVELED as far as Phoenicia, and Cyprus, and Antioch, PREACHING THE WORD to none but unto the Jews only.
(20) AND SOME OF THEM were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, which, WHEN THEY WERE COME TO ANTIOCH, spake unto the Grecians, PREACHING THE LORD JESUS.
(21) And the hand of the Lord was with them: and A GREAT NUMBER BELIEVED, AND TURNED UNTO THE LORD.
(22) THEN TIDINGS OF THESE THINGS CAME UNTO THE EARS OF THE CHURCH WHICH WAS IN JERUSALEM: AND THEY SENT FORTH BARNABAS, THAT HE SHOULD GO AS FAR AS ANTIOCH.
(23) Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord.
(24) FOR HE WAS A GOOD MAN, AND FULL OF THE HOLY GHOST AND OF FAITH: AND MUCH PEOPLE WAS ADDED UNTO THE LORD.
(25) Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul:
(26) AND WHEN HE HAD FOUND HIM, HE BROUGHT HIM UNTO ANTIOCH. AND IT CAME TO PASS, THAT A WHOLE YEAR THEY ASSEMBLED THEMSELVES WITH THE CHURCH, AND TAUGHT MUCH PEOPLE. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.

4. Converts, CHURCHES and CHURCH Elders
Acts 13:48; 14:1, 4, 22-23, 27; 15:3, 22-23, 36, 41;16:5; 18:22; 20:17, 28; 21:18

5. God gave Officers and Offices to THE CHURCH
Elders, Deacons, Shepherds, Bishops, Presbyters,

F. The MESSAGE of THE CHURCH

1. CHURCH EPISTLES...
God gave His instructions and revelation to specific CHURCHES.
Romans, 1 and 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 and 2 Thessalonians.

2. CHURCH PASTORS...
God gave His instructions and revelation to Pastors of local CHURCHES.
Timothy and Titus.

3. SCATTERED CHURCHES...
God gave His instructions and revelation to the CHURCH in various regions or scattered abroad.
Hebrews, James, 1 and 2 Peter.

4. HOUSE CHURCHES...
God gave His instructions and revelation to CHURCHES meeting in homes.
1 and 2 and 3 John.

5. SEVEN CHURCHES...
The Book of Revelation was sent to seven specific LOCAL CHURCHES.