Study 11 - The Church

What is the church?

Brainstorm (write on board/ paper). How is the word used by us?

The word church means an assembly (a gathering of called-out ones. It refers to people, not buildings or organisations. It is used in two ways in the N.T.:

(1) Local churches.

Acts 11:25-26; Acts 14:23; Acts 15:41

(2) The church universal (believers everywhere in every age).

Ephesians 3:21

The church is called the body of Christ, a gathering of believers. Ephesians 1:22-23, 5:29

[See also Acts 14:27; 1 Corinthians 11:18]

(Once only does 'church' refer to churches in an area Acts 9:31 [A.V. Greek text has 'churches'].)

Who are the members?

Those who have been called to faith in Christ and redeemed by him.

1 Corinthians 1:2; Ephesians 5:25-26 [Acts 2:38-47, 5:14]

They show their new-found faith in Christ by being baptised and gathering with the other believers. See Acts 14:27; 1 Corinthians 11:18 [Acts 16] (and other texts above).

What are the functions of the local church?

(Brainstorm.)

(a) Worship of God.

Worship is a wide term, currently used too narrowly for 'singing'. It includes singing, prayer, reading the Bible, and preaching.

[It has an even wider use for the whole of the Christian's life.]

Hebrews 10:24-25; Ephesians 5:19-20; Romans 12:1-2

(b) Teaching and preaching the truth.

Paul's example:

Acts 20:29-31; 2 Timothy 1:13, 2:2, 4:2
[Other texts: 1 Timothy 3:14-15; 2 Timothy 3:15-16; Titus 2:1]

(c) Ordinances. Baptism and the Lord's Supper (see next study).

Acts 19:4-5; 1 Corinthians 11:28-30

(d) Fellowship ( sharing spiritual things.

Acts 2:42; Ephesians 4:16,29,32

(e) Discipline.

Matthew 18:15-18 [1 Corinthians 14:33,40; Titus 3:10-11]

(f) Evangelism (Mission).

Matthew 28:19-20; Romans 1:16-17; Romans 10:13-17

How is the church ruled?

• Christ is its head.
  Ephesians 1:22-23 [Colossians 1:18; Ephesians 5:23-24]

  Christ's rule is applied as the Holy Spirit applies the word of God to the community. Colossians 3:15-17

• Christ's authority is exercised also through

  - Elders/overseers/pastors.

  1 Timothy 5:17-20; 1 Peter 5:13

  - The gathered church.

  1 Corinthians 5:1-3,13; Matthew 18:15-18

Leaders in the church

Leaders in the church are referred to as elders and deacons and sometimes leaders.

In each local church there was a group of elders also known as pastors, overseers (bishops), and under-shepherds. The names are interchangeable. Their role is preaching, teaching, ruling, pastoral (shepherding) work and being a good example. See:

1 Peter 5:1-4; 1 Timothy 3:1-13; 1 Timothy 5:17-20; Hebrews 13:7; Acts 20:17-18; Titus 1:5-9.

Also there was a group of deacons (servants) to help the church. Philippians 1:1; 1 Timothy 3:1-13

Church membership

Early churches obviously recognised who belonged, e.g. 1 Corinthians 5:13; Acts 5:14.

It is the duty of all of us if possible to belong to a local church.

Hebrews 10:24-25; Acts 2:43-47

Qualifications for church membership:

• Believers
• Baptised by immersion
• Willing to join with that body in unity and love

  Ephesians 4:1-16

In our church you need to agree to the central doctrines of the faith and be in sympathy with a summary of biblical truth (the 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith).

[If you are interested, ask the elders at Grace for the church Constitution and Confession of Faith and discuss the matter with them.]