PASTORAL WORD: What is the Church?

 

Dear brothers and Darlings sisters, the idea of this study here in our pastoral care is help for everyone to think carefully about the importance and relevance of the Church of Christ.

Church. We see this word everywhere. Some people use "Church" to describe a beautiful building in the Centre of a prominent square. Others use it to describe a world religious organization, complete with regions, districts and dioceses. Confusing definitions of Church, in our time, often seal the original meaning of this word when applied in the New Testament, the people of God. In this article, we will examine briefly the meaning of "Church" in the Bible.

Church: what does it mean?

Church is a building constructed with blocks and cement? Don't. Is a building built with living stones. "Yourselves, like stones, are built up a spiritual House to be Holy Priesthood, in order of oferecerdes spiritual sacrifice pleasing to God through Jesus Christ" (1 Peter 2:5). These living stones are called saints and are members of the family of God: "So, you are no longer strangers and aliens, but fellow citizens with the Saints, and are of the family of God, built upon the Foundation of the Apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone; in which the entire building, well adjusted, grows to sanctuary dedicated to the Lord, in whom you also along are you being built up for God in the spirit "(Ephesians 2:19 -22).

The Greek word translated as "Church" means, literally, "called out" and thus refers to a group of people called out of sin in the world and serve the Lord. The Church is not any kind of imposition or impersonal object. It is a body made up of living components. Like a living organism, the Church may feel fear (5:11 Acts), can pray (acts 12:5) and can speak (Matthew 18:17). People who are called out of Sin are still not participating in the evil in the world, because they are sanctified or separated from sin (study John 17:14 -23; Colossians 1:13; 1 Peter 2:9; 1 John 4:5-6). God calls the people to leave the evil of this world through the Gospel message (2 Thessalonians 2:13 -14). Those who are truly converted to Christ are called Saints (1 Corinthians 1:2; Colossians 1:1-2).

Understand the biblical concept of Church as a body of people called out of sin, to be holy, help us to appreciate the richness of Paul's description of the "Church of God which he purchased with his own blood" (acts 20:28). Jesus died to buy land and buildings, nor to establish any institution. He died to buy the souls of men and women who were dead in sin, but who now have salvation and hope of eternal life (Romans 5:8; 1 Corinthians 6:19 -20).

The Universal Church and the Local Church

Sometimes the Bible uses the word "Church" in the universal sense, that is, to talk about all the people who belong to Christ, no matter where he might be. Jesus spoke of the Church in this way: "I tell you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it" (Matthew 16:18). He's not just talking about a local congregation, nor is speaking of an organization or institution. He's talking about people, living stones, built on Jesus Christ, the solid foundation. Paul spoke of the Church, in this same sense, when he wrote: "... Christ is the head of the Church, even the Savior of the body "(Ephesians 5:23). Jesus is the head on all those who serve him, all those washed and cleansed from their sins (Ephesians 5:26).

Often, the word "Church" is used to describe a local congregation or Assembly of Saints. Note a few examples: "... to the Church of God that is in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints." (1 Corinthians 1:2); "And if he doesn't answer, tell it to the Church; and, refusing to hear the Church also considers him as Gentile and publican "(Matthew 18:17); "... greet also the Church that meets at their house" (Romans 16:5). Local churches are the result of the preaching of the Gospel. When people obey the word and become Christian, they begin to meet with other brothers and sisters in the faith.

The Church: body, no Organization

The Church is an organization? Many people have the wrong notion that the Church is an organization or institution, independent of the people who make up the Church. This is not the biblical concept of Church. Jesus didn't die to establish an institution, but to save the people of sin (acts 20:28; 1 Corinthians 6:20). Jesus and the father did not dwell in an organization, but the people that follows (John 14:15, 23) Instead of talking about an organization, the Bible describes the Church as a body composed of living members (Romans 12:4-5; 1 Corinthians 12:12 -27; Colossians 1:18 .24; Ephesians 5:23). These limbs are "blocks" or "stones" used in the construction of the Church (1 Peter 2:5; 1 Corinthians 3:10 -15).

Many people suggest that the "universal Church" consists of all local congregations in the world. This is not a biblical concept. A local Church consists of Christians who gather in a certain place. They can be identified and counted (Romans 16:14, 15; 1 Corinthians 16:19; Colossians 4:15). The universal Church consists of all the disciples of Christ throughout the world. No man is able to identify and count all the members of this universal body. Attempts to count all the true Christians in a nation or the world illustrate the ignorance and vanity of men. Only God can count and identify their "firstborn listed in the heavens" (Heb. 12:23).

Biblical descriptions of the Church that belongs to Jesus

The Bible does not use a unique name for the Church. It is wrong, therefore, to insist on a single name that every church faithful have to use. Many passages speak simply of the Church, sometimes identifying the location (city or House) where the Christian group was meeting. So, we can refer to the Church as "the Church" (acts 8:1; 9:31; Romans 16:1).

Often, the descriptions of the Church in the New Testament show the relationship between the Lord and his Church. The Church belongs to God, and is often called "the Church of God" (see Acts 1 Corinthians 1:20:28; 2; 10:32; Galatians 1:13; 1 Timothy 3:5.15). Jesus shed his blood to buy the Church. Therefore, Paul spoke of "churches of Christ" (Romans 16:16) and Jesus spoke of his own Church (Matthew 16:18). The people of God can be properly described as the "Church of the firstborn listed in the heavens" (Heb. 12:23).

Consider the meaning of biblical common descriptions of the Church.

-The body of Christ (Colossians 1:24; Ephesians 1:22 -23; 4:12). As well as the human body cannot survive separately from the head, we can't live without our head, Jesus Christ (Ephesians 5:23; Colossians 1:18). Disciples of Jesus are members of the body (Romans 12:4-5; 1 Corinthians 12:12 -27; Ephesians 3:6; 4:16; 5:30).

-The Kingdom of God or Kingdom of Heaven (Matthew 3:2; 4:17; Lucas 4:43; 8:12 acts; 19:8; 20:25; 28:23.31). The idea of the Kingdom stresses the position of the King's authority (see 1 Corinthians 4:20; Hebrews 1:8; 12:28 -29; Matthew 28:18-20; Apocalypse 12:10). The Kingdom of Christ is not of this world (John 18:36). Instead of being a political entity and worldly, the Church is a spiritual realm in the Holy character of God seated. We can enter the Kingdom only when we are transformed spiritually (Colossians 1:13). As servants of the King, we have to develop the spiritual features of our Lord (James 2:5), including his humility, innocence (mark 10:14 -15) and Holiness (1 Corinthians 6:9-10; Galatians 5:19 -21).

-The House of God (1 Timothy 3:15) is a building material, but the sanctuary and the housing of the Lord (Ephesians 2:21 -22). Is a spiritual building (1 Peter 2:5).

-The flock of God (acts 20:28). Jesus is the good shepherd who laid down his life for the sheep (John 10:11). The sheep hear his voice and follow him to receive eternal life (John 10:27 -28).

Human Names Cause Division

The religious Division in our society is shameful. Many people are confused in a world with many different names of churches. Some of these names honor certain men, while others emphasize doctrinal points.

The unit of the saved is based on the name and in the doctrine of Christ. We must do everything for Jesus ' authority or on its behalf (Colossians 3:17). "There is salvation in no other name ..." (4:12 Acts). This unit is possible only when we speak and think the same thing, which is the doctrine of Christ (1 Cor 1:10). When men begin to follow other men, lose the unity with Christ and his people (1 Corinthians 1:11 -13). Divisions and disputes happen in Church, in part because some people identify themselves only with human names. Paul argued that we should identify ourselves only with the Lord we serve. Jesus was crucified for us and we are baptized in his name. Jesus, not men, deserve our dedication and honor. The true followers of God are part of the Church that belongs to Jesus.