The Nature of the Church

Introduction:

Eph. 3:8-11 says the church of which we read in the New Testament was in the mind of God before the foundation of the world. When we think of the Church, we should think of it as a spiritual body – composed of those who are saved. The meaning of the Greek word for “Church” is the body of the saved. Taking this back to Eph. 3 – there has never been a time when God did not have His mind on saving us through the blood of Christ.

I.      The Church is a spiritual institution.

A.    From the very beginning, the church was spiritual & not material or fleshly.

1.     It is “the called out body.”

B.    The church began with those who had a spiritual birth.  John 3:5; 1 Peter 1:22-23

C.     Jesus died for a spiritual purpose. His entire mission was spiritual.

1.     John 18:36; Rom. 14:16-17; 1 Peter 2:4-5

D.    Think about the amazing conquest of the gospel during the first century.

1.     Done w/o an army – but by a spiritual army that moved forward with the love of Christ.

II.     The Church is Essential to Salvation.

A.    Some might wonder – must one be a member of the church to be saved?

B.    1 Peter 1:18-19 – church is the body of people who have been washed in the blood of Christ.

C.     Acts 2:38 – 3000 persons obeyed the gospel.

1.     2:47 – added to the church.

2.     This process: obeying the gospel & being added to the church is just that: a process. One. Singular.

D.    The point:  Often we hear that we must stress Jesus & minimize the church.

1.     I understand & agree with the perspective that some come from…we are not converting people to the “church of Christ denomination.”

2.     But…Christ cannot be separated from the church. The two subjects go hand in hand.

3.     Col. 1:18 – Jesus can’t be separated from the church…

III.   The Church is Undenominational.

A.    When God added to the church, they were not added to a denomination.

1.     No denominations in the NT.  Church in NT is undenominational in nature.

2.     Mt. 16:18 – Jesus instituted the church.  This verse teaches:

3.     Christ’s church is singular in nature.

B.    Eph. 4:4-6 – How many in today’s religious world agree that there is one God, One Lord, One Spirit, and One hope?

1.     Why then, can we not agree on the rest of this verse? Often hear of many faiths, many baptisms, and many bodies.  Why?

1.     John 17:20-21- Jesus prayed that His church be one. 1 Cor. 1:10 – Paul wrote….

Conclusion:

A.    People need to give a thoughtful study to what the bible says about the Church.

B.    To treat the church w/an attitude of disrespect is spiritually fatal.