Church?

Ecclesiology – the study of the church

Ephesians 1:22–23 (NASB95)  And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church,  which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all. 

Colossians 1:18 (NASB95)  He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything.

The word “Church”

“The word church and cognate terms in other languages (e.g., Kirche) are derived from the Greek word κυριακός (kuriakos), “belonging to the Lord.” They are, however, to be understood in light of the New Testament Greek term ἐκκλησία (ekklēsia). Paul uses the word ἐκκλησία more than does any other New Testament writer. Since the majority of his writings were letters addressed to specific local gatherings of believers, it is not surprising that the term usually has reference to a group of believers in a specific city. Thus we find Paul’s letters addressed to “the church of God in Corinth” (1 Cor. 1:2; 2 Cor. 1:1), “the churches in Galatia” (Gal. 1:2), “the church of the Thessalonians” (1 Thess. 1:1). The same holds true of other New Testament writings as well. The opening portion of John’s Apocalypse (Rev. 1–3) was addressed to seven specific churches. In Acts also, ἐκκλησία refers primarily to all the Christians who live and meet in a particular city such as Jerusalem (Acts 5:11; 8:1; 11:22; 12:1, 5) or Antioch (13:1). Paul visited local churches to appoint elders (14:23) or to instruct and encourage (15:41; 16:5). This local sense of the church is evidently intended in the vast majority of occurrences of the word ἐκκλησία.”

What is the “church”? 

"They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles. And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common; and they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need. Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved." (Acts 2:42-47, NASB95) 

The church has been defined as an institution that has truth as it’s nourishment, love for its atmosphere, and Christ as its head.

Ephesians 5:27 (NASB95)  that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy and blameless. 

The church is an expression of God’s glory!

"And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all." (Ephesians 1:22-23, NASB95) 

"to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen." (Ephesians 3:21, NASB95) 

"So we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another." (Romans 12:5, NASB95) 

"He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything." (Colossians 1:18, NASB95) 

"And not holding fast to the head, from whom the entire body, being supplied and held together by the joints and ligaments, grows with a growth which is from God." (Colossians 2:19, NASB95) 

In Ephesians 5:27 Paul said, “that He might present to himself the church in all of Her glory.”  He is speaking about the glory of the Lord Jesus as it radiates through the body of Christ.

• The church is a building. (1 Peter 2:4-5)
• The church is a body. (Ephesians 1.22-23; 1 Corinthians 12.12-13; Romans 12.3-5; Colossians 1.24)
• The church is a bride. (Ephesians 5:25-27; Revelation 19:7-8)

The church is an expression of God’s grace.

(Ephesians 5:27; 1 Peter 2:4-5; Malachi 3:17; 1 Corinthians 6:20)

Grace is to be understood in terms of a dynamic expression of the divine personality rather than as a static attribute of God’s nature. Grace is the dimension of divine activity that enables God to confront human indifference and rebellion with an inexhaustible capacity to forgive and to bless.¹

• Jesus bought the church with his blood. (1 Cor. 6:20; Eph. 1:22)
• Jesus is bringing the church to Himself! (Ephesians 5:27; John 14:3)
• Jesus is beautifying the church for Himself! (Eph. 5:27)

Why does the church matter? 

^{Ephesians 4:11–16 (NASB95)  And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ. As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ, from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.} 

• The church is not only an institution founded by Christ it is His body, the church reflects God’s glory.  
• The church is the gospel made visible.
• The church is God’s plan for gospel proclamation and mission.
• While salvation is personal and individual, there is no place in the scripture where salvation is separated from being in relationship to God’s people. 
• The spiritual health of individual Christians is in part dependent on the church corporately. 
• The assembling of God’s people for the purpose of 
  • Worship
  • The ordinances 
    • Baptism
    • The Lord’s Supper
  • Accountability 
  • Spiritual growth
  • Mission

 Can I be a Christian and not attend a local church? 

Can You be a Christian without Going to Church?   PHIL NEWTON
So, can he/she still be a Christian without going to church? If one means, does church attendance save anyone, we have to agree that it does not. Jesus Christ saves. Certainly, a lack of church attendance likely inhibits one coming to faith in Christ by not being under the proclamation of the gospel. But the question is really not about whether attending church saves anyone—that’s only a ruse to steer the conversation away from the pointed realities of the gospel. Instead, what happens once a person is united to Jesus Christ through faith in Him? Can that person, despite his/her profession of Christ, maintain a go-it-alone approach to Christianity and be legitimate as a true believer?

• Jesus established community with His first followers (e.g. Matt 4:18–5:2). 
• Jesus charged His followers to make disciples, baptize them, and then to go on teaching them to faithfully observe (obey, put into practice, live in) all that He had taught them (Matt 28:19–20). 
• The Great Commission directed gospel work to be done within the ongoing framework of Christian community. 
• The continual teaching and shepherding toward faithful observance of Christ’s teachings is not done in isolation. 
• The accountability necessary to hold our spiritual feet to the fire of obedience is not done in isolation.
• So many of the commands in the New Testament are relational. “Put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you” (Col 3:12–13). 

Colossians 3:12–17 (NASB95) So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful.  Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father. 

This is an issue of biblical discipleship and the disciplines of the Christian life. Just as a Christian must have deep conviction about the need for reading the Bible, prayer, etc…, we must also have a deep conviction about the discipline of gathering with God’s people to worship God and edify one another.

I have been hurt by the church, what do I do now?

-          Remember, the church is made up of people and people are sinners.

-          Follow biblical principles of reconciliation.  

-          Be an example of redemptive love.

-          Do not let a root of bitterness set up in your heart.

"Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord." (1 Corinthians 15:58, NASB95) 

"But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; " (1 Peter 2:9, NASB95) 

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Foot Notes

1. Elwell, Walter A. ; Beitzel, Barry J.: Baker Encyclopedia of the Bible. Grand Rapids, Mich. : Baker Book House, 1988, S. 898