If there has been any area unnecessary confusion concerning understanding the difference between Biblical Christianity and "organized religion", it is the question of "what?". How would you define the church? Would you define it based on creeds, traditions, or personal preferences? If so, could I humbly ask you to be open to a closer look at the definition the Bible shows us? Over the next four weeks, we will see the grouping, the growing, the giving, and the going of the church.
First, let's define the grouping of the church. What is the church in its makeup? At its simplest, you could define the church as a voluntary assembly of saved, baptized believers, gathered for the purpose of the exaltation of Christ, edification of the believer, and the evangelization of the spiritually lost.
First, the church is comprised of saved and baptized believers. We find this example in two places. In Matthew 28:19, Jesus instructs to baptize those that receive the Gospel and teachings of Christ. We see this carried out physically on the day of Pentecost in Acts 2:41,
"Then they that gladly received (believed, accepted...ie. salvation) his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls."
This was no social club, no random band of half-interested seekers. These were those who believed, in faith, the truth of the Gospel, and were so committed that they chose to obey the command to identify with Christ in believers baptism, come what may.
This was naturally followed by the second characteristic of the church, which is that they gathered for the purpose of edification. Not just in their homes (as some would have you think), but also in corporate fashion. It is true that there is such a thing a universal body of believers (I Corinthians 12:13), but it is not possible that that body could meet on this side of heaven, which is what has led to the establishment, in the Scriptures, of many local churches. (Galatians 1:2, Colossians 4:16) You see this voluntary, unified gathering in places like Acts 2:46 where it states they, "continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart." (emphasis mine). Noah Webster defines "corporate" in his 1828 edition of the English dictionary as:
CORPORATE, adjective [Latin , to be shaped into a body, body.]
1. United in a body, or community, as a number of individuals, who are empowered to transact business as an individual; formed into a body; as a corporate assembly, or society; a corporate town.
2. United; general; collectively one.
Corporate worship and corporate outreach is not a morphing of the church into a corporation, but rather the act of the church gathering for worship and ministry in a unified, Spirit-filled fashion, to the end of studying the scriptures, enjoying Christian fellowship, observing the Lord's Table, and prayer.
Lastly, as the church grows in its unity of love for Christ, deepens it understanding of the Scriptures, and grows in its desire to serve in obedience of Christ's instruction, there will, no doubt, be an overflow into a compassion for, desire to reach, those for which Christ died, was buried, and rose again for.
This attempt at a concise definition and explanation of the church will, hopefully, lay the foundation for us to address a devastatingly ignored, but highly important function of the church that we will discuss, Lord willing, next week. Discipleship.
- Pastor Knight
Today's Bible Reading:
Acts 2:1-47 (KJV)
[1] And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. [2] And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. [3] And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. [4] And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. [5] And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven. [6] Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language. [7] And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans? [8] And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born? [9] Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia, [10] Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes, [11] Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God. [12] And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this? [13] Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine. [14] But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all [ye] that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words: [15] For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is [but] the third hour of the day. [16] But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; [17] And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: [18] And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy: [19] And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke: [20] The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord come: [21] And it shall come to pass, [that] whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved. [22] Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know: [23] Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain: [24] Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it. [25] For David speaketh concerning him, I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved: [26] Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope: [27] Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. [28] Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance. [29] Men [and] brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day. [30] Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne; [31] He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption. [32] This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses. [33] Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear. [34] For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, [35] Until I make thy foes thy footstool. [36] Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ. [37] Now when they heard [this], they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men [and] brethren, what shall we do? [38] Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. [39] For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, [even] as many as the Lord our God shall call. [40] And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. [41] Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added [unto them] about three thousand souls. [42] And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. [43] And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. [44] And all that believed were together, and had all things common; [45] And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all [men], as every man had need. [46] And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, [47] Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved. - Act 2:1-47 KJV