1 The Church Jesus Built Mt. 16:13-19. 2 Nature of the Church Jesus Built Consider the meaning of...

1

The Church

Jesus BuiltMt. 16:13-19

2

Nature of the Church Jesus Built

•Consider the meaning of "church"–From Greek word ekklesia

•means "an assembly"

–Used most frequently in the New Testament in two senses:•The church "universal" - that company of souls redeemed by the blood of Christ

3


•Consider the meaning of "church"–From Greek word ekklesia

•means "an assembly"–Used most frequently in the New Testament in two senses:•The church "universal"•The church "local" - Christians in a geographical area that work and worship together as a congregation of God's people

4


•Consider other terms which enhance our view of the "church"–The "body" of Christ–The "household" of God–The "temple" of God–The "kingdom" of Christ–The "bride" of Christ

•These expressions reveal different aspects of the Lord's great assembly!

5


•Our understanding of the nature of the church can also be enhanced by...–Contrasting the church "universal" with the church "local"

–Noting how the New Testament carefully delineates between the two

6


•Failure to observe the distinction between the church "universal" and church "local"...–Leaves one open to erroneous concepts of the church

–Makes one susceptible to false views of the church

7

The Church “Universal”

•Composed of ALL Christians–Mt. 16:18 “I also say to you that you

are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.”

–Heb. 12:22-24

8

Hebrews 12:22-24

“But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly

Jerusalem, and to myriads of angels, 23 to the general assembly and church of the

firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the Judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, 24 and to

Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood, which speaks better

than the blood of Abel.”

9


•Composed of ALL Christians–Mt. 16:18; Heb. 12:22-24

•There is only ONE church–Eph. 1:22-23

10

Ephesians 1:22-23

“And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and

gave Him as head over all things to the church, 23 which is His body, the fullness of Him

who fills all in all.”

11



•There is only ONE church–Eph. 1:22-23

•There is only ONE body•Eph. 4:4 “There is one body and one

Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling;”

12



•There is only ONE church–Eph. 1:22-23; 4:4

•Began on the day of Pentecost–Acts 2:1-47; 11:15

13


•Enter only by being added by the Lord–One cannot "join" the church by their own volition

–They are "added" by the Lord Himself when saved

–Acts 2:41,47

14

Acts 2:41

“So then, those who had received his word were

baptized; and that day there were added about three

thousand souls.”

15

Acts 2:47

“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. ”

16


•The Lord keeps the books of Membership–There is no agency on earth that keeps the registry of true members

–Enrollment is in heaven–Only the Lord knows those who are truly His•Heb. 12:23; 2 Tim. 2:19

17

Hebrews 12:23

“to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God,

the Judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made

perfect,”

18

2 Timothy 2:19

“Nevertheless, the firm foundation of God stands, having this seal,

"The Lord knows those who are His," and, "Everyone who names the name of the Lord is to abstain

from wickedness.”

19


•Consists of ALL the Saved–The Lord is presenting to Himself a church holy and without blemish

–Eph. 5:25-27

20

Ephesians 5:25-27

“Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her, 26 so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, 27 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.”

21


•Consists of ALL the Saved–The Lord is presenting to Himself a church holy and without blemish

–Those in the church who are sinning and refuse to repent are "cast out", "cut off", “spit out"•John 15:2,6; Rom. 11:19-22; Rev. 3:16

22

John 15:2,6

2“Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit.”

6“If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch and dries up; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire and they are burned. ”

23

Romans 11:19-22

“You will say then, "Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted

in." 20 Quite right, they were broken off for their unbelief, but you stand by your faith. Do not be conceited, but fear; 21

for if God did not spare the natural branches, He will not spare you, either.

…”

24

Romans 11:19-22

“… 22 Behold then the kindness and severity of God; to those who fell,

severity, but to you, God's kindness, if you continue in His kindness;

otherwise you also will be cut off.”

25

Revelation 3:16

“So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My

mouth.”

26


•Consists of ALL the Saved•Must be in this church to be Saved–Eph. 5:23 “For the husband is the

head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, He Himself being the Savior of the body.”

27


•Consists of ALL the Saved•Must be in this church to be Saved–Eph. 5:23–Since the Lord adds one to His church when they are saved,

–One cannot be saved and not be in the church "universal"!

28


•Consists of ALL the Saved•Must be in this church to be Saved

•Has no “Earthly” Organization–The church "universal" has organization•Eph. 2:19-22; 1 Pet. 2:5

29

Ephesians 2:19-22

“So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens

with the saints, and are of God's household, 20 having been built on the

foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being

the corner stone, …”

30

Ephesians 2:19-22

“… 21 in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a

holy temple in the Lord, 22 in whom you also are being built together into a

dwelling of God in the Spirit.”

31

1 Peter 2:5

“you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy

priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through

Jesus Christ.”

32


•Has no “Earthly” Organization–The church "universal" has organization

–What organization exists is spiritual in nature•Christ as the cornerstone, together with His apostles and prophets as the foundation, and all Christians as "living stones"

33


•Has no “Earthly” Organization–There is no earthly headquarters for the church•No telephone number to call to speak with the "head" of the church (for He is in heaven!)

34


•Cannot be Divided–There is no earthly organization to divide!

–If division appears to exist...•Some unscriptural organization of churches must have been created

•Such an organization can have division, but the Lord's church "universal" cannot!

35


•Cannot be Divided–Those who would seek to divide the church through doctrine, conduct, etc., are simply cut off by the Lord Himself!

–There is and always will be, "one body"! - Eph. 4:4•We need to make sure we are remaining faithful to be in it!

36


•Cannot be Divided•Death does not affect Membership–The church "universal" is made up of the saved, both living and dead

–Heb. 12:22-23

37

Hebrews 12:22-23

“But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the

heavenly Jerusalem, and to myriads of angels, 23 to the general assembly and

church of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the Judge of all, and to the spirits of the

righteous made perfect,”

38


•Cannot be Divided•Death does not affect Membership–The church "universal" is made up of the saved, both living and dead

–When one dies, they are still with Christ! - Phil. 1:21-23; 1 Thess. 5:10

39

Philippians 1:21-23

“For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 22 But if I am to live on in the flesh, this will mean fruitful labor for

me; and I do not know which to choose. 23 But I am hard-pressed from both

directions, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very

much better;”

40

1 Thessalonians 5:10

“who died for us, so that whether we are awake or

asleep, we will live together with Him.”

41


•Composed of All Christians•There is only One church•Began on the day of Pentecost

•Enter only by being added by the Lord

•The Lord keeps the books of Membership

42


•Consists of ALL the Saved•Must be in this church to be Saved

•Has no “Earthly” Organization

•Cannot be Divided•Death does not affect Membership

43

The Church “Local”•Composed of Christians in One Location–A local church is made up of Christians in one geographical area

–For Example:•The church at Corinth – 1 Cor. 1:2

44

1 Corinthians 1:2

“To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who have been

sanctified in Christ Jesus, saints by calling, with all who in every place call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,

their Lord and ours:”

45

The Church “Local”•Composed of Christians in One Location–A local church is made up of Christians in one geographical area

–For Example:•The church at Corinth – 1 Cor. 1:2

•The church at Thessalonica - 1 Thess. 1:1

46

1 Thessalonians 1:1

“Paul and Silvanus and Timothy, To the church of the

Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and

peace.”

47

The Church “Local”•Composed of Christians in One Location

•There are “Many” churches–Paul had reference to local churches when he wrote “All the churches of Christ greet you.” Rom. 16:16

–And again when he wrote “To the churches of Galatia:” Gal. 1:2

49

The Church “Local”•Begins whenever people “Join themselves” together–As the gospel spreads and people respond to it… •Those in a particular area start a local church when they agree to work together as one

50

The Church “Local”•Begins whenever people “Join themselves” together–Just as the church in Antioch began later than the church in Jerusalem - Acts 11:19-26

51

Acts 11:19-26

“So then those who were scattered because of the persecution that occurred in

connection with Stephen made their way to Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch,

speaking the word to no one except to Jews alone. 20 But there were some of them, men

of Cyprus and Cyrene, who came to Antioch and began speaking to the Greeks

also, preaching the Lord Jesus. …”

52

Acts 11:19-26

“… 21 And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a large number who believed

turned to the Lord. 22 The news about them reached the ears of the church at

Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas off to Antioch. 23 Then when he arrived and

witnessed the grace of God, he rejoiced and began to encourage them all with resolute

heart to remain true to the Lord; …”

53

Acts 11:19-26

“… 24 for he was a good man, and full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And

considerable numbers were brought to the Lord. 25 And he left for Tarsus to look for Saul; 26 and when he had found him, he

brought him to Antioch. And for an entire year they met with the church and taught considerable numbers; and the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.”

54

The Church “Local”•Begins whenever people “Join themselves” together–Whereas the church "universal" began in Jerusalem on Pentecost

–“Local" churches have begun at different places and different times!

55

The Church “Local”•Enter by “Joining” the church–When one wishes to become an accepted member of the local church, they must "join themselves" to that church

–Such as Paul sought to do when he came to the church in Jerusalem - Acts 9:26-28

56

Acts 9:26-28

“When he came to Jerusalem, he was trying to associate with the disciples; but they were all afraid of him, not

believing that he was a disciple. 27 But Barnabas took hold of him and brought

him to the apostles and described to them how he had seen the Lord on the

road, …”

57

Acts 9:26-28

“… and that He had talked to him, and how at Damascus he had spoken out

boldly in the name of Jesus. 28 And he was with them, moving about freely in Jerusalem, speaking out boldly in the

name of the Lord.”

58

The Church “Local”•Enter by “Joining” the church–Whereas one is "added" by the Lord Himself to the universal church

–We can seek to "join" a local congregation •If its members are willing to accept us

59

The Church “Local”•Enrolled through Human Judgment–Whether we are accepted into a local church is a decision made by the leaders or members of that church

–Sometimes people are rejected when they should be received - 3 John 5-9

60

3 John 5-9

“Beloved, you are acting faithfully in whatever you accomplish for the

brethren, and especially when they are strangers; 6 and they have testified to your love before the church. You will do well to send them on their way in a

manner worthy of God. …”

61

3 John 5-9

“… 7 For they went out for the sake of the Name, accepting nothing from the

Gentiles. 8 Therefore we ought to support such men, so that we may be

fellow workers with the truth. 9 I wrote something to the church; but

Diotrephes, who loves to be first among them, does not accept what we say.”

62

The Church “Local”•Enrolled through Human Judgment

–Evil men may succeed in kicking one out of a local church

–But only the Lord determines who stays in the universal church!

63

The Church “Local”•Consists of both Saved and Lost–Since enrollment occurs through human judgment, fallible decisions can be made

–A local church may therefore have some who are nominal Christians •cf. Rev. 3:1-4

64

Revelation 3:1-4

“To the angel of the church in Sardis write: He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars, says this: 'I

know your deeds, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead. 2 'Wake up, and strengthen the things

that remain, which were about to die; for I have not found your deeds

completed in the sight of My God. …”

65

Revelation 3:1-4

“… 3 'So remember what you have received and heard; and keep it, and repent. Therefore if you do not wake

up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come to you. 4 'But you have a few people in

Sardis who have not soiled their garments; and they will walk with Me

in white, for they are worthy.”

66

The Church “Local”•Consists of both Saved and Lost

–Hypocrites may become members of a local church

–But they don't sneak by the Lord to become members of the universal church!

67

The Church “Local”•Do Not have to be in this church to be saved–One can be saved, and not belong to any local church•Such was the case of the Eunuch immediately following his conversion - Acts 8:39

68

Acts 8:39

“When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord

snatched Philip away; and the eunuch no longer saw him, but

went on his way rejoicing.”

69

The Church “Local”•Do Not have to be in this church to be saved–One can be saved, and not belong to any local church•Such was the case of the Eunuch immediately following his conversion

•Also of Paul when he was in transit between Antioch and Jerusalem - cf. Acts 9:26

70

Acts 9:26

“When he came to Jerusalem, he was trying to associate with the disciples; but they were all afraid of him, not believing that

he was a disciple.”

71

The Church “Local”•Do Not have to be in this church to be saved–Of course, this should be temporary•Remember, Paul desired to join himself to the church in Jerusalem – Acts 9:26

–In the universal church, it is impossible to be saved without being in the church!

72

The Church “Local”•Has “Earthly” Organization

–A local church when scripturally organized will have overseers (bishops - KJV) and deacons

–Phil. 1:1 “Paul and Timothy, bond-servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, including the overseers and deacons:”

73


–A local church when scripturally organized will have bishops and deacons - Phil. 1:1

–These overseers/bishops were also called "elders" and “shepherds” (pastors), whose role was to oversee and feed the local congregation

74

Acts 14:23

“When they had appointed elders for them in every church, having prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in

whom they had believed.”

75

Acts 20:17,28

17 “From Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called to him the elders of the church.”

28 “Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.”

76


–The only role or position ever given men over the universal church on earth was the apostles, and they were not replaced when they died •e.g., James in Acts 12:2 “And he

had James the brother of John put to death with a sword.”

77

The Church “Local”•Can be Divided

–Local churches can easily be divided over doctrine or personalities

–Such was the case with the church at Corinth•1 Cor. 1:10-13; 3:3-4

78

1 Corinthians 1:10-13

“Now I exhort you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all agree and that there be no divisions

among you, but that you be made complete in the same mind and in the same judgment. 11 For I have been

informed concerning you, my brethren, by Chloe's people, that there are

quarrels among you. …”

79

1 Corinthians 1:10-13

“… 12 Now I mean this, that each one of you is saying, "I am of Paul," and "I of Apollos," and "I of Cephas," and "I

of Christ." 13 Has Christ been divided? Paul was not crucified for you, was he?

Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?”

80

1 Corinthians 3:3,4

“for you are still fleshly. For since there is jealousy and strife among

you, are you not fleshly, and are you not walking like mere men? 4 For when one says, "I am of Paul," and another, "I am of Apollos," are you

not mere men?”

81

The Church “Local”•Can be Divided

–While we can't divide the universal church

–We can be responsible for dividing local churches!

–Remember, one of the six things the Lord hates, " one who spreads strife among brothers." Prov. 6:19

82

The Church “Local”•Death affects Membership

–When we die, our membership in a local congregation ends

–Just as when Stephen died, he was no longer a member of the Jerusalem church - Acts 8:1-2

83

Acts 8:1-2

“Saul was in hearty agreement with putting him to death. And on that day a

great persecution began against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all

scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the

apostles. 2 Some devout men buried Stephen, and made loud lamentation

over him.”

84

The Church “Local”•Death affects Membership

–When we die, our membership in a local congregation ends

–Our membership in the church universal continues on after death!

85

“Universal” vs. “Local”

•Composed of All Christians

•There is only One church

•Began on the day of Pentecost

•Enter only by being added by the Lord

•Composed of Christians in One Location

•There are “Many” churches

•Begins whenever people “Join themselves” together

•Enter by “Joining” the church

86

•The Lord keeps the books of Membership

•Consists of ALL the Saved

•M ust be in this church to be Saved

• Enrolled through Human Judgment

• Consists of both Saved and Lost

• Do Not have to be in this church to be saved


87

•Has no “Earthly” Organization

•Cannot be Divided

•Death does not affect Membership

•Has “Earthly” Organization

•Can be Divided

•Death affects Membership


88

Key difference between the two …

•The church "universal" in essence concerns our relationship with Christ

•The church "local" basically concerns our relationship with one another–Of course, our service in the “local” church can certainly affect our standing in the “universal” church!

1 The Church Jesus Built Mt. 16:13-19. 2 Nature of the Church Jesus Built Consider the meaning of...

Documents

Transcript of 1 The Church Jesus Built Mt. 16:13-19. 2 Nature of the Church Jesus Built Consider the meaning of...