The Church

“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.” (Matthew 16:18)

Preview

There was a time when the church was considered to be the most prominent and necessary institution in the life of a person, community, or nation. That, however, is not the case today. In reaction to the church’s abuse of its role and function in society, many people have come to perceive the church as an irrelevant relic of the past. Others regard the church at best as a religious social club of human origin. Still others judge the church to be the institution that has shackled the positive progress of human existence.

Over against such human history, experience, and perceptions is the biblical profile of the church. The Bible presents the church as not of human origin but of divine planning. Christ is the Founder, Lifegiver, and Sustainer of the church. God’s successful plan of salvation is evidenced by the global extent of the church.

Points to ponder

1. Jesus began the Christian church as His “body” on earth. Why?

It was intended to demonstrate that Jesus has successfully enacted the plan of salvation, whereby human beings who accepted that plan are restored to their rightful place in God’s plan. As the benchmark for all societies and cultures, the church was to be the new community, showing people how to live in a harmonious relationship with God, each other, and the environment.

2. Sometimes a person may choose to be a Christian but does not want to be a part of the church. Why?

Unfortunately, negative perceptions or disappointing personal experiences may influence an individual to decline membership in the church. A huge chasm often exists between what the church claims to be and what the searcher finds it to be. This gap may be too wide for some to cross. It is the responsibility of the church as a body and the members individually to ensure that the gap does not exist.

3. Being a Christian includes membership in the church. Is membership important?

Unfortunately, many people are of the opinion that church membership is an optional extra to be taken up or discarded as they choose. But the Christian faith expects Christians to experience it in community. Hence, the existence of the church. Participation with Jesus is not complete without membership in His “body”—the church. It is not an optional extra. Individuals do have the freedom of choice in deciding which denomination of the church to belong to. That choice should be guided by the desire to be a member of a denomination that most closely reflects the character of Jesus. The choice should be one that declares an accurate, integrated understanding of life as taught in the Word of God.

Nuts & Bolts

(This is a Questions and Statements section condensing the SDA Believe chapter The Church. Make sure you read the chapter first.)

1. How can I be sure that the church is of divine origin rather than human?

Matthew 16:18

2. What gifts can church members expect to find in this body of believers?

1 Corinthians 12:28

3. How extensive is the authority God gave His church on earth?

Matthew 16:19

4. What plan did Jesus present for resolving differences and misunderstandings among members of the church?

Matthew 18:15

5. What assurance did Jesus give concerning the meeting and fellowship of His followers?

Matthew 18:20

6. What directions did Paul give to attain unity in the church?

Galatians 3:26-29. Thus the New Testament church was a universal church. Unlike the restricted community of Israel, Jesus founded the church to include the redeemed from all nations.

7. What metaphor (word picture) is used to describe the church in the following texts?

Matthew 5:13-15

Ephesians 1:22, 23; 2:16

Ephesians 3:15

Ephesians 5:25, 26; 2 Corinthians 11:2

1 Corinthians 3:16, 17

1 Peter 2:5

1 Timothy 3:15

Ephesians 6:12, 13

8. What commission did Jesus give His disciples and the visible church?

Matthew 18:19, 20

9. What two things must one do to become a part of the body of Christ and receive the Holy Spirit?

Acts 2:38, 39

10. What are some of the functions of the church?

Hebrews 10:25

Philippians 1:5

John 6:68

Luke 22:19

Matthew 28:19, 20

11. What qualifications must characterize the elders of the church?

1 Timothy 3:1-7

12. If church discipline is needed, how should it be carried out?

1 Thessalonians 5:14, 15

Words to Remember

• Community: A group of people bound by a common faith and fellowship.

• Metaphor: A word picture. A descriptive illustration, i.e., the church is the bride (the bride is the metaphor).

The Difference Between

• The Church: A divine institution that consists of those who have heeded the call of God to accept Jesus as their personal Saviour.

• A Club: A voluntary association of individuals who come together for a common purpose or interest.

• A Company: An organization of employer and employees established to produce goods or services.

I Truly Believe

Nestled close to the Rocky Mountains is a humble home filled with unusual treasures. Mr. Ross enjoys a lifetime hobby of collecting and studying rocks, minerals, and gems. “You’ll like my thunder eggs,” he said, pointing to ugly, round, rough, unpromising rocks. “With my diamond saw I’ve cut them in two.”

As he opened the parts, his friends gasped in wonder. Inside one was a beautiful display of quartz crystals. Another had a banded agate with multi-colored bands circling the core. Others were imaginary scenes of landscapes with mountains, valleys, ocean waves, or trees along a river. From these masterpieces of nature, Mr. Ross had cut thin slices and mounted them as colored slides. Thrilled at the beauty of each, his friends noted that nature had supplied her own picture frame with a crystalline quartz border around each lovely scene.

Thunder eggs are like Jesus’ counsel about His church. Do not judge by outward appearances. Let the “wheat and the tares” grow together until the harvest. People who aren’t rock hounds would never pick up those ugly geodes or thunder eggs. Like Mr. Ross, who knew inward beauty, Jesus looks at the heart. What most folks see as ugliness is really a stone all glorious within. What does Jesus see inside your heart?

If you truly believe the concepts of each statement below, place a check in the box.

My Prayer

Dear Father,

Thank You for the church You have built on Christ Himself. I praise and thank You that its ultimate victory is assured. Lord, transform me into Your likeness, and make me a living stone in Your temple to spread Your light to someone today.

Amen.