The Church, part 5

Jesus said, “I will build my church” (Matthew 16:18). Modern church leaders say, “We will build our church.” The modern church is preoccupied with what it can do for Christ. The Bible focuses on what He does through His followers. So, we must each ask, “Am I a Christ-follower, or am I seeking to serve for Him on my terms?”

If Jesus is building His church, what does it look like? What are its characteristics? Christ’s kingdom is “not of this world” (John 18:36) but is spiritual in nature and only when He returns does His kingdom come to earth (Revelation 21:1–4). Believers are “called out” of the world and joined in His mystical body, the church (Romans 1:6, 7). This spiritual kingdom is expressed by local congregations on earth as governed by King Jesus seated at the right hand of Majesty. This spiritual kingdom is administrated through the Holy Spirit and the Word of God.

There are seven defining elements of a New Testament church. (1) The true church is made up of a regenerate membership, partakers of the grace of Christ, forming His body (Galatians 3:28). (2) This invisible body is represented by a local physical organization—e.g., the church at Antioch (Acts 13:1). All regenerate persons should be active in such a local church organization to grow in spiritual maturity by hearing the Word preached and obeying it (Acts 2:42–47; 2 Timothy 4:1–4). However, it is possible for one to be a member of such an organization and not be a true believer in Christ (Matthew 7:21–23).

 (3) All truly regenerate church members are separated from the world in fact—saints, sanctified in Christ (e.g., 1 Corinthians 1:2) and must thus strive to make it so in practice (Hebrews 12:14). (4) These saints observe the ordinances of Christ (baptism and the Lord’s supper, each of which speaks of Christ’s death and resurrection and the believer’s participation in them). The ordinances consist of Christ in Word and Spirit and are intended to mark death to self in full surrender and obedience to Christ. They are the fruit of faith and are obeyed for neither merit nor approval.

(5) All members are to exercise mutual watch-care over each other in Christian love. Four things characterize this love: exhortation, encouragement, correction, and discipline (Hebrews 10:23–27). Loving is often wrongly perceived as protecting the dignity of others and thus care must be exercised not to offend those who do wrong. What is an offence? Why is telling someone the truth about themselves with the motive of helping their walk with Jesus offensive? The church suffers because there is more concern for preserving feelings than promoting holiness. 

(6) The church is governed by Christ and His Spirit through the gift offices of elders and deacons who provide leadership to the flock as examples and not overlords (Ephesians 4:11–16; 1 Peter 5:2, 3). Finally, (7) The purpose of the assembly is to carry out Christ’s will, to fulfill the great commission in the earth and to glorify Him, watching, praying, and waiting for His return (Matthew 28:16-18).