The Church
“Jesus replied, ‘Believe me, dear woman, the time is coming when it will no longer matter whether you worship the Father on this mountain or in Jerusalem. (…) But the time is coming—indeed it’s here now—when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The Father is looking for those who will worship him that way.’”
(John 4:21,23 NLT)
What is the church? It is not a building or man-made structure (John 4:19-21), or a man-made illusion of a singular secular institution that claims to have all authority and thereby is the one and only way to God. Rather, the church is all about Jesus Christ and His final completed work on the cross, calling us to Him with humble, surrendered, obedient and especially, repentant hearts. In short, the church is comprised of every true believer in Jesus Christ, who as individuals comprise the ‘body of Christ’ (the church) in all its diverse parts, with Christ at its head (1 Corinthians 12:12-13; Colossians 1:18; Romans 12:5). The doctrine of the church (Ecclesiology) deals with the nature, organization, function, the church sacraments and related principles. (1)
The church (the body of believers in Christ) comes into being at Pentecost, as the Holy Spirit is released to all Christians (Acts 2:1-21) and we immediately see the gospel and missional part of the church, as expressed in Peter’s witness (Acts 2:25-47) with an early community of believers being established. The term “church” (ekklésia) is relatively uncommon in the NT and more prominent in the use of the earlier believing community, called “the Way” (hodos, i.e. “way”). The term “Christians” is rare, but appears for the first time in Acts 11:26. (2)
As the early church comes into being, the initial use of ‘church,’ can be seen in the events surrounding the judgement of Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:11), who pretend to be believers, but turn out to be ‘false disciples,’ leading to their demise before God’s holiness. God holds them accountable for their evil actions (‘blaspheming the Holy Spirit’). Indeed, Jesus warns us about false disciples: [Matthew 7:21-23] this warning is also evident in other parts of the Bible (2 Timothy 4:3-4; 2 Peter 3:3-4) – this is essentially a call to unity among true believers. (3) (Bock, Luke Acts, p. 307).
So, unity is an essential part of a believing community – thus, the church refers to all true believers forever. Hereby, the church is invisible, and at the same time visible. The former refers to the way God sees the church, that is, all people’s hearts. The latter refers to the church as believers see and experience it (1 Corinthians 1:2; Philemon 1:2), and as the Bible tells us, there will always be unbelievers among the true believers (Matthew 7:15-16; Acts 20:29-30). As such, the term “church” in the NT may refer to a community of believers that can be comparatively small, gathering in a private home (‘local church’) ranging to all believers anywhere in the world (‘universal’) (Acts 9:31; Romans 16:5; 1 Corinthians 1:2; 1 Corinthians 12:28). (4)
Church Government
As for church government, that is – who should lead and teach in a Christian community – the Bible gives us important rules that must be followed, in order to establish and maintain a spiritually healthy church. In the local church there are different offices the Bible reveals (Hebrews 13:17) with people who are called to look after the body of Christ, as ‘good shepherds.’ Here we have the office of elders which operates within a twofold distinction – ‘presbyters’ (presbuteros) and ‘overseers’ (episkopos). The former are called to express maturity and dignity as part of their authority (Acts 11:30; Acts 15:2; Acts 20:17) and are to be treated with respect (1 Timothy 5:17), but they must not be oppressive (1 Peter 5:1-3). The latter are genuinely to be ‘good shepherds’ nurturing and feeding the flock – that is the body of Christ (Acts 20:28; 1 Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:7) – with an emphasis on work, while presbyters are called to the highest dignity of the office. (5)
To be an elder in a church, there are specific qualifications required as the Bible reveals in 1 Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9. The specific duties as good shepherds (Acts 20:28) include teaching (1 Timothy 3:2), leadership (1 Timothy 5:17) and to maintain sound teaching (Titus 1:9). Elders are assisted by ‘deacons’ (diakonos) – whose qualifications point to their dignified character (1 Timothy 3:8-13), as they look after congregational material needs and also visit other believers, who may not be able to join the local gathering (1 Timothy 3:8).
It is important to understand that Scripture tells us that women are not to take on the position of pastor and elder (1 Timothy 2:12-14; 1 Timothy 3:15). The reason for this is a God-given created order, that is reflected in the congregational context, since Adam (in Eden) was created first (Genesis 1-2; 1 Timothy 2:12-14). While the secular realm may present itself suggesting a different view on the government of a body of believers, we do well to follow God’s Word, and to be thankful that God has given us clear instruction here. However, any God-fearing woman who understands and embraces the Bible, can be used mightily in all kinds of different ways, as to ‘be a good shepherd’ and look after the body of Christ in many ways (mission, discipleship and assisting roles). (6)
Lastly, among different denominations there are three main kinds of church government. Firstly, ‘Episcopal’ with the authority placed on Bishops (Roman Catholic, Orthodox, Episcopal, Lutheran, Methodist) based on Acts 6:6; 14:23; Galatians 1:19; 2:9. Secondly, ‘Presbyterian’ with elders in authority (Presbyterian, Reformed) as seen in Acts 20:17; 1 Timothy 5:17 and Titus 1:5. Thirdly, ‘Congregational’ where the authority is held by the congregation (Congregational, Baptist, Mennonite) found in Acts 15:12, 22-25; Colossians 1:18; 1 Peter 2:9. (7)
Purpose
Given the variations of church government, the bottom line is about the purpose of the church. In a nutshell, the purpose of the church is and must be to point people to the atoning work of Jesus Christ on the cross, as ‘God in the Flesh,’ dying in our place for our sins, rising from the dead, ascending to Heaven and sending us the Holy Spirit. In Acts we find a purpose summary: [Acts 2:42] admonishing us to teach sound Bible-based and Christ-centred doctrine, coming together in fellowship, to observe the Lord’s Supper, Baptism and pray together. Essential here is the proper respect, honour and authority given to God’s Word (the Bible) and encouraging daily activity in opening, reading, studying and following Scripture. Wherever this is not done, and Christ is not acknowledged as ‘God in the Flesh,’ this not a true church. The goal is to help people grow in their own personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
The Ordinances (Sacraments)
The two ordinances, Baptism and Lord’s Supper (the Eucharist) are also referred to as sacraments, and are the main tasks Christ has given believers to observe (Matthew 26:26-29; Mark 14:22-25; Luke 22:14-23). As for Baptism, it is important to understand that it is a sign, not a means to an end. Baptism (in and by itself) does not save a person (1 Peter 3:21), neither does the way it is done (sprinkling, dripping or immersion). Therefore, Baptism is a sign that points to the New Covenant instituted by Jesus. Our union with Christ, as the rite of Baptism signifies, reminds us of God’s promises to us: [Colossians 2:8-12]. To qualify for Baptism, a person must wholeheartedly believe in the Gospel (the death, burial and resurrection of Christ). A case against infant Baptism can be made, based on Acts 8:35-37. Here we see that a person must understandand believe the Gospel, which is not possible for and infant, unable to meet this requirement. Hence, key to a proper understanding of Baptism is to understand what it signifies. (8)
The Lord’s Supper is an ordinance recorded in Acts 2:46-47. It is also a sign of the New Covenant that points to Christ. There are different views held on this sacrament. Since Jesus is now in heaven in a raised physical body, it is not present in any form in the sacraments. As Calvin clarifies, it is the divine nature of Jesus which can be everywhere simultaneously. Therefore, it is Christ’s divine nature that is present at the Lord’s Supper (he is no physically, but spiritually present). Any group of believers can perform the Lord’s Supper (1 Corinthians 11:23-26). Before partaking though, it is important that believers examine themselves first (1 Corinthians 11:27-29), which means we come before the Lord with a surrendered, humble, repentant heart – that is ready to receive Him as guided and convicted by the Holy Spirit. (9)
Worship, Evangelism, Discipleship and Mission
There are four aspects that are part of the purpose of the church. One, genuine worship is part of our ministry to God, since we are called to this spiritual activity, as we are empowered by the Holy Spirit working within us (John 4:23-24). It is a matter of the heart and God calls us into His presence as we join in worship with an attitude of humility (Matthew 14:33; Hebrews 12:28-29). Two, evangelism is announcing the Good News, as Jesus commands us (Matthew 28:19) thereby being merciful, kind and expressing God’s grace (Luke 6:35-36). Three, discipleship is about understanding the cost of following Jesus (Luke 14:26-30) and surrendering ourselves to Christ wholeheartedly, continuing to be faithful to Him and leading to a growing of the body of Christ. This means being ‘in the world’ but not ‘of the world,’ turning away from hindrances in our walk of faith, such as idols (money, power, influence, wealth and objects) (Luke 6:27-36). Four, mission is communicating Christianity to others – foremost to people who may have never heard about the Gospel (Matthew 28:18-20). (10)
Summary
As seen, there are many hallmarks of the nature and purpose of the church as seen in the foregoing considerations, which are derived from the early church as seen in Scripture. While unity, government and purpose are important for a community of believers (‘the church’), what is even more crucial is to identify the marks of a true church, since unfortunately, there are false churches. So, if any of the aforementioned points are not adhered to, this can be an indication of a false church. The Bible warns repeatedly about false teachers – including the warning our Lord Himself gives us (Matthew 7:15-20) and also what we read in 2 Peter 2. As such, just as there are ‘false disciples,’ there are also ‘false teachers,’ who are not looking after the body of Christ, and may even put it at risk and harm – for example during a time of war or a global uncontained health crisis. The people here may be – ‘hired hands’ at best, but never – ‘good shepherds.’
As believer, the best way to be prepared for identifying people acting in the spirit of the Antichrist (1 John 4:1-3) is to spend as much time in the Bible as possible, in prayer and to associate with godly people (who are not necessarily in a person’s own household – Matthew 10:36-37). It is then, in our personal relationship with Jesus, that the Holy Spirit reveals to us, if people are true followers of Christ or not (Matthew 7:15-20).
At times, we may not even have a ‘church’ to go to, since it may be unsafe to do so, or avoiding being part of a ‘false church,’ but remind yourself, that we always have Christ as our cornerstone (Ephesians 2:19-22; 1 Corinthians 3:11). He will guide us, lead us and see us through, as we persevere in Him (Matthew 28:20). Remember, that Jesus is aware of those whose heart is truly bent toward Him, and those whose heart is not. This is what we see in the state of the churches in Revelation 2-3, where the Philadelphia church is not rebuked – like the Smyrna church – but is the only one praised by Jesus (Revelation 3:8-12). This spiritual reality brings us to the last doctrine (Eschatology).
Notes
(1) Erickson, Millard J. The Concise Dictionary of Christian Theology. Wheaton, Ill.: Crossway Books, 2001. p.35.
(2) Bock, Darrell L. A Theology of Luke and Acts: God’s Promised Program, Realized for All Nations. Biblical Theology of the New Testament. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Academic, 2012. p.303-306.
(3) Bock, 307.
(4) Grudem, Wayne A. Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2000. p. 853-858.
(5) Enns, Paul P. The Moody Handbook of Theology: Revised and Expanded. Chicago, IL: Moody Publishers, 2014. p.370-372.
(6) Enns, 373-374.
(7) Enns, 374-375.
(8) Sproul, R. C. Everyone’s a Theologian: An Introduction to Systematic Theology. First ed. Orlando FL: Reformation Trust a division of Ligonier Ministries, 2014. p. 284-288.
(9) Sproul, Everyone, 289-294.
(10) Grudem, 867-869.
AMEN.
Bible-Based & Christ-Centred 