Foundation Study
The Church
What do the following verses say about the Church?
1. Acts 2:41
notes
The church came into existence at Pentecost. (Acts 2:1-47) It exists in two forms; the universal Church and the local church. The universal church is composed of people who possess saving faith. (1 Corinthians 12:13; Hebrews 12:23) The local church is a gathering of people, at a specific location, who profess faith. (Romans 16:5; 1 Corinthians 1:2) They may or may not possess saving faith. (1 John 2:19; 2 Timothy 2:19). Saving faith consists of trusting in the substitutional death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ for forgiveness and eternal life. (John 3:36)
David Platt states, "The local church is a group of baptized Christians who are committed to being the body of Christ to one another by coming together regularly and carrying out the functions of a biblical church; Preaching, teaching, prayer, evangelism, discipleship, leadership, fellowship, accountability, discipline, worship, ordinances, giving and mission."
The church refers to people, not a building. The church is God's agent to reach the world with the gospel of Jesus Christ. (Matthew 16:18, Ephesians 3:10, Romans 15:20-21) Ryrie states, “Building His church constitutes Christ’s principal work in the world today.”1 Enns adds, “The two overriding purposes of the Church can be delineated: gathered, ministering to the body, scattered, ministering to the world.”2 The church exists in two states; gathered and scattered. The function of the gathered Church is to worship; build up the saints. The function of the scattered Church is to witness.
David Platt states, "The local church is a group of baptized Christians who are committed to being the body of Christ to one another by coming together regularly and carrying out the functions of a biblical church; Preaching, teaching, prayer, evangelism, discipleship, leadership, fellowship, accountability, discipline, worship, ordinances, giving and mission."
The church refers to people, not a building. The church is God's agent to reach the world with the gospel of Jesus Christ. (Matthew 16:18, Ephesians 3:10, Romans 15:20-21) Ryrie states, “Building His church constitutes Christ’s principal work in the world today.”1 Enns adds, “The two overriding purposes of the Church can be delineated: gathered, ministering to the body, scattered, ministering to the world.”2 The church exists in two states; gathered and scattered. The function of the gathered Church is to worship; build up the saints. The function of the scattered Church is to witness.
- Charles Ryrie, Basic Theology: A Popular Systematic Guide to Understanding Biblical Truth (Chicago: Moody, 1999), 455 Kindle
- Paul Enns, The Moody Handbook of Theology (Chicago: Moody, 1989), 365-66
2. Ephesians 3:21
notes
The Church exists to glorify God. (Ephesians 3:10) To glorify God means to display His attributes. The church displays the attributes of God by fulfilling the Great Commission. The church showcases the character of God by making disciples of all nations. The purpose of the church is to glorify God by making disciples of all nations. This one statement contains the church's vision (glorify), mission (make disciples), and goal (of all nations). The church does not need to find its purpose; it needs to fulfill its purpose. Local starting points further explain the Great Commission.
Interestingly, Romans 9:17 also reflects the purpose of the church. Different age and agent, but the same purpose. To display God's power and spread His fame. God created the Church to showcase His power through the radical transformation and Spirit-filled living of believers. (2 Corinthians 5:17; Galatians 5:16) He also created the church to spread his fame throughout the earth as empowered believers make disciples of all nations. (Matthew 28:19) Just as God revealed Himself to the ancient world through Pharaoh (unwilling as he was), He reveals himself to today's world through the church.
Interestingly, Romans 9:17 also reflects the purpose of the church. Different age and agent, but the same purpose. To display God's power and spread His fame. God created the Church to showcase His power through the radical transformation and Spirit-filled living of believers. (2 Corinthians 5:17; Galatians 5:16) He also created the church to spread his fame throughout the earth as empowered believers make disciples of all nations. (Matthew 28:19) Just as God revealed Himself to the ancient world through Pharaoh (unwilling as he was), He reveals himself to today's world through the church.
3. Colossians 1:18
notes
Christ is the head of the church. (Ephesians 5:23). Just as the head of the human body has prominence, Christ is preeminent in the church. As its head, Christ is the ultimate authority. He controls, directs, and gives life to the Church. Elders may function as human leaders, but they are subject to Christ. The church belongs to God. He formed it, purposed it, empowers it, and controls it through Christ.
The Church is the body of Christ. (Ephesians 1:23, 4:12; Colossians 1:24; 1 Corinthians 12:27) Just as a human body represents a person, the church represents Christ to the world. Additionally, just as each human body is composed of different parts, the body of Christ is composed of people with different abilities. (1 Peter 4:10) These abilities are called spiritual gifts—each believer posses at least one. They are described in 1 Peter 4:10-11; 1 Corinthians 12: 27-28; Ephesians 4:11-13; Romans 12:6-8.
Spiritual gifts can be divided into two main categories; those that started the church, and those that sustain the church. Those used to begin the church consist of miraculous gifts (called sign gifts), those used primarily to maintain the church age are the remainder of the gifts.
Other figures of speech that define the relationship between Christ and the church are: vine and branches (John 15:5), sheep and shepherd (John 10:11), and cornerstone and building. (Ephesians 2:19–21) As the vine, Christ provides essential life giving support to the church. As the shepherd, Christ provides guidance and protection. As the cornerstone Christ is foundational and supporting.
The Church is the body of Christ. (Ephesians 1:23, 4:12; Colossians 1:24; 1 Corinthians 12:27) Just as a human body represents a person, the church represents Christ to the world. Additionally, just as each human body is composed of different parts, the body of Christ is composed of people with different abilities. (1 Peter 4:10) These abilities are called spiritual gifts—each believer posses at least one. They are described in 1 Peter 4:10-11; 1 Corinthians 12: 27-28; Ephesians 4:11-13; Romans 12:6-8.
Spiritual gifts can be divided into two main categories; those that started the church, and those that sustain the church. Those used to begin the church consist of miraculous gifts (called sign gifts), those used primarily to maintain the church age are the remainder of the gifts.
Other figures of speech that define the relationship between Christ and the church are: vine and branches (John 15:5), sheep and shepherd (John 10:11), and cornerstone and building. (Ephesians 2:19–21) As the vine, Christ provides essential life giving support to the church. As the shepherd, Christ provides guidance and protection. As the cornerstone Christ is foundational and supporting.
4. Philippians 1:1
notes
The church consists of saints, deacons, and elders.
Saints are all true believers, not a select class of people. Every Christian is a saint. The term means to be set apart or holy. (Romans 1:7; 1 Corinthians 1:2)
Deacons are believers who perform various roles of service within the church to free the Elders to devote themselves to the ministry of the Word and prayer. (Acts 6:1–4) They serve under the direction of the Elders and are qualified based on 1 Timothy 3:8–13.
Elders are a group of men who serve as the leaders of a local church. (Titus 1:5) The term Elder is also used interchangeably with bishop and pastor. (Titus 1:5-7; Acts 20:17,28) Elders are qualified based on 1 Timothy 3:1–6 and Titus 1:7–9.
The duties of elders include the following:
Saints are all true believers, not a select class of people. Every Christian is a saint. The term means to be set apart or holy. (Romans 1:7; 1 Corinthians 1:2)
Deacons are believers who perform various roles of service within the church to free the Elders to devote themselves to the ministry of the Word and prayer. (Acts 6:1–4) They serve under the direction of the Elders and are qualified based on 1 Timothy 3:8–13.
Elders are a group of men who serve as the leaders of a local church. (Titus 1:5) The term Elder is also used interchangeably with bishop and pastor. (Titus 1:5-7; Acts 20:17,28) Elders are qualified based on 1 Timothy 3:1–6 and Titus 1:7–9.
The duties of elders include the following:
- Overseeing and ruling. (1 Timothy 5:17)
- Preaching and teaching. (1 Timothy 5:17–18; Ephesians 4:11)
- Shepherding: caring, protecting, and feeding. (Acts 28:20)
- Guarding against false doctrine. (Titus 1:9)
- Managing the Church. (1 Timothy 3:5)
- Modeling Christ. (1 Corinthians 11:1)
5. 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, Matthew 28:19
notes
The two ordinances of the church are communion and baptism. The term ordinance (practice) is used so as not to confuse it with the term sacrament, which some religions believe bestows grace. Communion and Baptism do not merit saving favor of God. Communion (also called the Lord's Supper) is a memorial. Its purpose is to announce the sacrifice of Christ until he returns, through humble remembrance. (1 Corinthians 11:23-34)
Baptism is an outward expression of inward belief. It is the wedding ring of the Christian faith. It is a public announcement of belief in the redemptive work of Jesus Christ. It is also declares association with Jesus Christ, and dissociation from a former worldview. It is symbolic of cleansing of forgiveness, the resurrection of the redeemed, and inseparable union with Christ. (Romans 6:5–11)
Resources.
Baptism is an outward expression of inward belief. It is the wedding ring of the Christian faith. It is a public announcement of belief in the redemptive work of Jesus Christ. It is also declares association with Jesus Christ, and dissociation from a former worldview. It is symbolic of cleansing of forgiveness, the resurrection of the redeemed, and inseparable union with Christ. (Romans 6:5–11)
Resources.
6. Matthew 22:37-39 & 28:16-20
notes
The purpose of the church is to fulfill the Great Commandment (Matthew 22:37-39) and carry out the Great Commission (Matthew 28:16-20). Ask Rick Warren says, "The church should have a great commitment to the Great Commandment and the Great Commission." The church should have a laser-like focus on worship and witness. The church (and hence every Christian) is given a simple five word job description; make disciples of all nations. Every program and practice should be aimed at that one outcome.
6. Video Resources
notes
- Refuting Objections to the Church Ordaining Women by Ben Wayman. (8:07) Seedbed
- Why women should be church leaders and preachers // Ask NT Wright anything (12:43) Premier on demand
- What does the Bible say about women pastors? (5:00) Got Questions
- Do women have to stay silent in the church? (6:25) Got Questions
- Complementarianism vs. Egalitarianism. (2:31) ASKDrBrown
- Men's and women's roles (4:21) John Piper
- When a Man loves a woman well (4:00) Desiring God
Which verse meant the most to you? Explain.