Christian Maturity Series - The Church of Jesus Christ

Continuing our Christian Maturity series of bible studies, we are looking this evening at: The Church of Jesus Christ and our objectives will be to find what is this church, who makes up this church, and what is the purpose of this church.

In past weeks and months, we have learned about Jesus’ arrival in the world; His teachings and ministry; His death and His resurrection. Last lesson we saw how the Holy Spirit of God lives within each of us and that we - you and I, individually - are the New Temple – where God’s Holy Spirit enters into this new temple through Jesus opening the doorway of our hearts

[i]“I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (John 14:6)[/i]
[b] and[/b]
[i]“Because strait [is] the gate, and narrow [is] the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” (Mat 7:14)[/i]
Through Him, we have gained the restoration of the daily walk, or communion with God, that He wants with us and that Adam and Eve enjoyed before our enemy fooled them and tempted them into sin.

In the Old Testament, beginning in the Garden, God walked with Adam. After the Fall, God established His Old Covenant temple, so that He could inhabit the Holy of Holies and speak to His people through the High Priest. The New Covenant through Jesus, established a new temple within each of His people individually, Jesus being our High Priest. (For God had appointed an Old Covenant High Priest to take the people’s sacrifice, made by the temple priest, from the outer court of the temple into the Holy of Holies. Now, Jesus our High Priest, takes our sacrifice from our temple directly to the Holy of Holies on God’s throne.)

If we individually (our bodies) are temples, collectively we are The Church. The Church is the Body of Christ, with Jesus as the Head.

We see the church scripturally in a couple of different ways: the Universal Church and the Local Church.
[b]
i) The Universal Church[/b]

(1) Paul frequently compares the church to a body. A body can have only one head. Who is the head of the church body? (Ephesians 5:23)
[i]Eph 5:23   For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.[/i]

Who are the members? (I Corinthians 12:27)
[i]1Cr 12:27   Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.[/i]

The word “members” here is not speaking of membership as in being the member of a club, or even signing a membership roster at your local church. Here, in your local church, as we will speak of later in this study, you personally would be a member (as in an arm or a leg) of your church body. Each member has a specific function different from, say, the function of your church pastor. You might function for the body as the hands that keep the sanctuary clean, for example; or the mouth that lovingly admonishes or encourages the wise virgins to keep their lamps trimmed (while the Bride awaits the return of Her Groom); or the feet that carry dinner to an elderly shut-in.

Speaking of the Universal Church, rather than your local church and you, the word “members” is speaking of each local church body, or even a denomination, as being a member (as in an arm or a leg) of the whole body of Christ of all saved people of all ages, past, present and future. Some churches may have an anointing for praise music that goes out to the nations to glorify God, and to encourage, uplift and edify the Church; Some churches may have a gift for enormous relief ministry following disaster.  You get the picture.

There is no building, or religious administrative or financial institution that serves as the one body of Christ. It is everyone and every organization that has Christ as his/her/its head. No-one and no denomination can claim Headship but Christ alone.

However, there are Christians who disagree with the above definition or even the existence of the Universal Church. For full disclosure of that opinion, I offer the following web page link to save or mark for your independent reference in your own time and to draw your own conclusions. Mr. Williamson, affiliated with the Baptist Missionary Association, writes a paper in defense of his argument here:

http://www.thomaswilliamson.net/uct_new.htm

(2) We all have a body image, right? So how does Christ see His body? This is how Paul puts it: (I Corinthians 12:12-13)
[i]1Cr 12:12-13 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also [is] Christ. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether [we be] Jews or Gentiles, whether [we be] bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.[/i]

As an individual, we are baptized into the Body of Christ by the Holy Spirit and Jesus sees each of us (and each church denomination, whether they play instruments as part of their worship service or sing a capella, whether they swing an incensor or dance in the aisle), as part of His own Body, be they sick or well.

(3) As members of His body, how should we feel toward each other? (I Corinthians 12:25-26)

[i]1Cr 12:25-26  That there should be no schism (division, break or rift) in the body; but [that] the members should have the same care one for another. And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.[/i]

So, if Christ suffered a schism, or a cut or break to his arm (whether an individual church member or whether a break in denominations), he’d hurt. It would hurt Him personally. He would want to heal the wound, else infection might set in and spread. Christ loves His Body. He has a great “body image”. He knows who made that body and it is good.

If there were a schism or a break in the Church today, how might a schism in the local body look?

Might it be infighting over minute points of legal doctrine? Might it have a motive other than a Godly one? Power, money, control?

Infection in a body is bad. Wholeness is good. It might be necessary to cut off an offending arm if it would cause infection to spread, but certainly, Christ having good body image would try everything in His power to save His arm first, wouldn’t you imagine?

This is speaking not only of ourselves in our local churches, but everyone in the whole body of Christ. We all agree in Christ.

[i]Mar 9:39-40 But Jesus said, Forbid him not: for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me. For he that is not against us is on our part.[/i]

I live in a small community (tiny actually – 800 people). Each year at Thanksgiving, we have a tradition that all our local denominations come together for a thanksgiving service. However, one denomination and no members of that denomination will ever participate because all the other denominations give thanks in music with instruments. Further, in this tiny community, there many denominations, yet there are sub-denominations of some of the bigger ones. That is a sad schism of the Universal Body. However, that does not prevent each of us, each member of the community, from loving one another as fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. We recognize Christ in each other and celebrate Christ, not our differences (for the most part!). We hurt when a member of our community hurts. We celebrate when one of our community has a victory. We love one another. We protect one another. We admonish one another in Christ. We encourage one another in Christ, leaving the differences of our separate doctrines aside.

Much as we do here in the fellowship of the4Gospels.

(4) If differences in legal doctrine are not to be our greatest concern, what is it supposed to be? Let’s look at verse 8 of the first Chapter of Acts:

[i]Act 1:6-11   When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power. But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.[/i]

So this then, is the Great Commission, the thing that the Body is to be busy with – we are (having been filled with the Holy Ghost and not before) – witnesses of Christ - His birth, resurrection, transfiguration, and His eventual return for His bride.

[i]Mat 22:9 Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage.
Mat 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:[/i]

(5) Read Acts 1-11 again.

Where did Jesus physically go?

And how will Jesus come again for His church?

Who knows when that will be?
[i]
Mar 13:32-33 But of that day and [that] hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father. Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.[/i]

Not even Jesus knows when He will be sent back for His bride. Only the Father knows. Jesus said while He was here He never did anything except what the Father told Him or what He had seen of the Father.
[i]
Jhn 5:30 I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.[/i]

And so Jesus tells us of the Holy Ghost by whom we will receive that Will of the Father when Jesus is no longer with us, but preparing that place for His bride, the Body of Christ.
[i]
Jhn 14:26 But the Comforter, [which is] the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.[/i]

(7) Although Jesus-God is spiritually present in our hearts through the Holy Ghost-God, He, Jesus is with God the Father-God in Heaven in person in His body. In the future, He will return in His bodily form to judge the world and rule the nations:
[i]Mat 25:31-32 When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth [his] sheep from the goats:[/i]

In the meantime, the church is to be His witness on Earth and, working with the Holy Ghost, tell the Good News of the New Covenant Salvation, so that as many people as possible may be brought, having been called of God, and by the working of the Holy Ghost through us and our witness, into a personal relationship with Him.

Let’s take a look at some scriptures that speak of the commission of the church, beginning with one from the Old Testament:
[i]
Pro 25:25 [As] cold waters to a thirsty soul, so [is] good news from a far country.[/i]

The commentary describes this as being like news of an absent friend coming from far off. I believe (and this is a personal opinion), it foretold in the Old Testament, of John the Baptist who was the witness of the coming Messiah. In New Testament terms it alludes to the witness of the future return of Christ - and who would be the voice in the wilderness (or witness) today?

So to wrap up the “story” of the commission of the Universal Church in scripture, here is my message in scriptural form:

[i]Act 7:44 Our fathers had the tabernacle of witness in the wilderness, as he had appointed, speaking unto Moses, that he should make it according to the fashion that he had seen.
Act 15:8 And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as [he did] unto us;
1Jo 5:6 This is he that came by water and blood, [even] Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth.
1Jo 5:8 And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one.[/i]

Remember we read in Acts that the Holy Spirit must FIRST come upon the disciples and THEN they would be witnesses of Christ.
[i]
Luk 15:4 What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?
Luk 15:7   I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.
[/i]
This, together with the earlier texts regarding the function of the members of the body, speaks of the exhortation of our church family to good deeds, but it also speaks regarding the evangelization of those who have not yet heard the good news.

(a) In light of all of this – witnessing after having received the Holy Ghost, that they will know us by our love, that the fruits of our faith will be evident in us as witness to all mankind - what should be one of the church’s main purposes here on Earth?

[b]ii) The Local Church.[/b]

(1) As members of the body of Christ, what are Christians not to do? (Hebrews 10:25)

[i]Hbr 10:25   Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some [is]; but exhorting [one another]: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.[/i]

We are to continue to gather together. God tells us that no man will ever know the exact time when Christ is to return, but Christ did give us some clues to look for. Here Paul says that as that day comes closer the church should encourage one another all the more, so that she will be “the glory of Christ” spoken of in 2 Corinthians:

[i]2Cr 8:23 If [anyone inquires] about Titus, [he is] my partner and fellow worker concerning you. Or if our brethren [are inquired about, they are] messengers of the churches, the glory of Christ. Therefore show to them, and before the churches, the proof of your love and of our boasting on your behalf.[/i]

So, this is the Great Commission given to the Church – to witness in the whole world - and to encourage each other to remain steadfast in our faith, so that we can be the Glory of Christ. Is there more?

(2) We are saved by faith (yet, without works our faith is but a clanging cymbal – it is empty if we are not obedient to Christ’s commands). The church has two simple, yet meaningful ordinances that we are to observe: baptism and communion. Why? How? And by Whom?

(Eyes on Him and IgotSunshine have both done great studies recently on baptism, so I won’t go into too much detail. Though there is so much more to be learned about the origins. Jesus didn’t just throw these things at us because they seemed like a good idea to keep some of the old traditions and laws going. Jesus gave us a commandment and it is wise to obey! I would like to give a few foundational texts both from the Old and New Testaments (afterall, Jesus’ own Words say that the Old Testament speaks directly and specifically of Him).

We know from previous studies (that our member Romans has presented) that throughout the Old and New Testaments of the bible we have examples, or types, of Christ. God’s Word also gives us throughout, examples or types, of the baptism, and of communion. These biblical types of the Old Testament give us the answer as to the why of the question:

Why did Jesus insist that as often as we gather together as His Church (His Body) We should “Do this in remembrance of me” when he spoke of the communion (which we’ll get into here shortly)? And why did Jesus insist that his disciples should wash one another’s feet (even as they objected to Jesus washing theirs)? And why did Jesus instruct them to go and baptize everyone in all nations?

Yes, there’s the obvious “so we don’t forget” and “so we’ll be humbled in service of others” This is often taught and true. But, what do these two acts REPRESENT?

We are spared from eternal death and separation from God by the blood of Jesus, the Passover Lamb, symbolically placed on the doorway of our hearts. We take the communion to remind us of this symbolism and as part of our witness of obedience.

We are purified and refreshed by the living water of Jesus, the spring that never runs dry that was symbolized both by the stream that emanated from the doorway to the New Temple of Ezekiel, and as symbolized by ceremonial washing in the Old Testament. Because nothing unclean must come near to God. Also, the washing of the feet (and, as Simon Peter aptly said: “Lord, not my feet only, but also [my] hands and [my] head.” Jhn 13:9). So, if we are baptized to Christ by the Holy Spirit, and can be ceremonially washed, why the ordinance to baptism by immersion? Again, it is a symbolic cleansing of sin, it is for the completion of righteousness, but it is also part of our witness.

The washing of the feet represents not only humility and service, and washing off obviously the grime of the city, but the washing away of sins. Self-immersion was a ritual spoken of in the Old Testament in several places. Ron Moseley writes in “The Jewish Background to Christian Baptism: “Immersion was so important that it occurred before the high Priest conducted the service on the Day of Atonement, before the regular priests participated in the Temple service, before each person entered the Temple complex, before a scribe wrote the name of God, as well as several other occasions.”

Public baptism was one of the requisites, along with circumcision, for conversion from paganism to Judaism.

And then Jesus himself instructed His disciples, as follows:

[i]Mat 28:18-19   And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: [/i]

Ron Moseley summarizes (numericals added by me for clarity):

 “A detailed study of the Jewish background of Christian baptism shows that it is vitally important, but God doesn't always tell us why. Obviously, the convert could repent and have a part in the life to come without it, but the emphasis seems to be pointing to the taking on of a new "believer" status illustrated as a "new birth" by immersion. In any covenant with the Lord the three items of 1) God's Word, 2) the blood, and 3) a token are always present (Genesis 17:11). Jesus was always cautious to have three witnesses in everything He did (I John 5:7-8). In the Old Testament circumcision was considered the token of God's covenant, and in the New Testament we see the same wording concerning baptism as it is referred to as "circumcision made without hands" (Colossians 2:11-12). Whatever religious denomination, all believers should agree that immersion has its roots in the Jewish mikveh of Jesus' day, and it is of utmost importance for each of us to fulfill this righteous deed.”

(3) What is the purpose of the communion service? (I Corinthians 1:23-26)
[i]Deu 32:21 They have moved me to jealousy with [that which is] not God; they have provoked me to anger with their vanities: and I will move them to jealousy with [those which are] not a people; I will provoke them to anger with a foolish nation.
1Cr 1:23-26  But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumbling block, and unto the Greeks foolishness; But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men. For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, [are called]:[/i]
[i]Jhn 5:37-40  And the Father himself, which hath sent me, hath borne witness of me. Ye have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen his shape. And ye have not his word abiding in you: for whom he hath sent, him ye believe not. Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life. No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.[/i]

[i]Luk 22:19 And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake [it], and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.
1Cr 11:24-25 And when he had given thanks, he brake [it], and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. After the same manner also [he took] the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink [it], in remembrance of me.[/i]

Fulfilling these ordinances is to remember Christ and Him crucified and resurrected for the forgiveness of MY sins – but it is not merely for MY salvation and the salvation of the gentiles (though it is that) – NO! As we will see soon in the scriptures I will post from the book of Romans – it is another vital part of our witness – Our witness of Christ is to remind God’s people, ISRAEL by our example, that their inheritance is shared with adopted sons and daughters, grafted in. It is and always has been to provoke His people to jealousy of their inheritance, so that they will know what they missed when they rejected Jesus. The Old Covenant MUST BE RECOGNIZABLE in the New Covenant because of GOD’S LOVE FOR ISRAEL!

Taking communion is a frequent reminder of the New Covenant, not for us gentiles only, but it is to remind Jews as they see our love of Christ and of one another, and our witness of Christ, that there has been a one-time blood sacrifice - that Passover Lamb is born, slain, his blood is placed on the doorway to the hearts of millions, and He lives forever in the body of His Church.

Do not forget WHY we have this inheritance. Do not be selfish and make it about ME only (though I am eternally grateful for my personal salvation). Remember His People Israel. Pray for Israel. Be grateful for the blindness of the Jews. Because of their blindness, we have life! Let’s not forget our Father’s love for Israel. Pray their eyes be opened and see the New Covenant IN US.

[i]
Rom 10:19 But I say, Did not Israel know? First Moses saith, I will provoke you to jealousy by [them that are] no people, [and] by a foolish nation I will anger you.
Rom 11:11 I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but [rather] through their fall salvation [is come] unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy.
Rom 11:14 If by any means I may provoke to emulation [them which are] my flesh, and might save some of them.[/i]

Merriam-Webster: Emulation: “1 obsolete : ambitious or envious rivalry 2 : ambition or endeavor to equal or excel others (as in achievement)” Note the OBSOLETE next to the first definition – do you suppose that unbelievers would like to blot out the original use of the term “emulation” from literature because of it’s religious context, just as they seek to rewrite history and redefine other words in an attempt to water down the message of salvation?

What sort of a witness are we as Christ’s Body? Is your life’s witness one that will testify of God’s grace and mercy and the VICTORY of JESUS over sin? Is the local church of which you are a member, reaching out to hurting people locally and spreading the Good News of Messiah outside its own four walls and far beyond?

Or, will your life or the witness of our local churches testify to Israel an “obsolete plan of salvation” that feeble-minded men have watered down for political power and monetary gain? Have our churches turned to idols, seeking fame and ever-increasing coffers by flattery and the perversion of God’s Word? God forbid! Yet in some, it is so.

(4) Here are two examples, for contrast, of the witness of two very different churches:

(a) Thessalonica (I Thessalonians 1:6-10)
[i]1Th 1:6   And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost: So that ye were ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia. For from you sounded out the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad; so that we need not to speak any thing. For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God;  And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, [even] Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.[/i]

And by contrast, Laodicea:

(b) Laodicea (Revelation 3:14-17)

[i]Rev 3:14 And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;  I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:[/i]

Which of these two churches would have the witness of the sacrifice of Jesus as saviour and as the Messiah (as opposed to just another prophet as some would like to believe)?

(4) Just as some New Testament churches were dynamic and others were powerless, so it is today. Not all churches are alive, and great variety exists within a single denomination.

To stimulate your Christian growth (and thereby your witness), you should attend a church that exalts Christ, teaches the Bible, explains clearly what a Christian is and how to become one, and provides loving fellowship, exhortation and accountability.

What could happen to your spiritual growth if you do not attend church regularly or attend a church that is powerless?

iii) Life Application

(1) Give at least two reasons why it is important for us to be part of a
local church.

a) Loss of witness
b) Sickness of whole body of the church

(2) If you are not active in a local church, plan right now to get involved. Don’t just join - Join IN. Be an active member. Find whether you are an arm, a leg, a mouth, etc. Find your function. Find your calling. You might ask Christian friends for recommendations of some dynamic local churches that are unafraid of the witness of Jesus Christ, and make a list of churches that you would like to visit.