Here are some thoughts concerning the church:
Matthew 16:18
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.
1. The church is the only institution that our Lord promised to build and to bless (Matthew 16:18).
2. The church is the gathering place of true worshippers (Philippians 3:3).
3. The church is the most precious assembly on earth since Christ purchased it with His own blood (Acts 20:28; I Corinthians 6:19; Ephesians 5:25; Colossians 1:20; I Peter 1:18: Revelation 1:5).
4. The church is the earthly expression of the heavenly reality (Matthew 6:10; 18:18).
5. The church will ultimately triumph both universally and locally (Matthew 16:18; Philippians 1:6).
6. The church is the realm of spiritual fellowship (Hebrews 10:22-25; I John 1:3, 6-7).
7. The church is the proclaimer and protector of divine truth (I Timothy 3:15; Titus 2:1, 15).
8. The church is the chief place for spiritual edification and growth (Acts 20:32; Ephesians 4:11-16; II Timothy 3:16-17; I Peter 2:1-2; II Peter 3:18).
9. The church is the launching pad for world evangelism (Mark 16:15; Titus 2:11).
10. The church is the environment where strong spiritual leadership develops and matures (II Timothy 2:2).
Adapted from John MacArthur, Jr., “Wanted: A Few Good Shepherds,” Master-piece (November-December 1989).
Soli Deo Gloria,
Soli Deo Gloria,
Pastor Ed
2 comments:
What is the Church? Now that is an interesting question.
In my tradition, we feel that the Church on earth and the Church in Heaven are one (Eph. 3:14-15), inseparable in Christ. We often refer to that unity as the "Communion of Saints". Death does not separate those in the Church from each other, or from Christ. We understand that we are still united with each other, beyond death and the grave. (Rom. 8:35-39)
I know that many Protestants seem to be uncomfortable with that living portion of the Church, consisting of those whom we love but can see no longer.
I hope I don't overstep my welcome, but I wanted to say that those who have gone before remain members of the Church. From their vantage point close to God, (1 Cor 13:12) they see things as they are and continue to pray for us who are still struggling. (Rev. 8:3-4) We in turn pray for members of the church suffering still here in this life (James 5:16).
I get real transcendent and wordy when I think of that vast, numberless throng from every nation, tribe, and people, standing before the Throne and the Lamb, clad in white robes, with palms in their hands. Saints, our Lady, all nine Choirs of Angels, the Apostles and Prophets, the Martyrs in the crimson of their blood, and the white-robed Confessors, all in worship before the Throne of God (Phil. 2:10)
All are those who in this life followed Christ’s teaching in faith: the poor in spirit, the meek, the afflicted, those who hungered and thirsted after justice, the merciful, the clean of heart, peacemakers, and those who suffered persecution for Christ. Among those awesome throngs are those who were close to us, our family and friends, and not one of them has been forgotten by God, and they now share in the glory of “the Lord, the King of kings. That is especially important to me now as my beloved wife and my younger brother share in that numberless throng.
That is my understanding of the Church; that “great cloud of witnesses,” (Heb. 12:1) and with them, we who are gathered here in earthly assemblies around the Lord’s table are all one Church, one Ecclesia, gathered in praise.
Monk,
I appreciate your comments. With regard to your thoughts as stated, I don't feel as though our views in this matter are too dissimilar. (I would have some slight disagreements that I feel are unnecessary to delve into in this post).
You stated that "many Protestants seem to be uncomfortable with that living portion of the Church, consisting of those whom we love but can see no longer." Dir sir, I do believe that all who are in Christ, living or "dead" are part of the Church. We refer to the church on earth the “church militant” and the church in heaven as the “church triumphant.” On earth we have the church “visible” and including the saints who have gone on before us who are in heaven, we have the church “invisible.” One of my favorite hymns makes mention of this very thing (The Church’s One Foundation):
Yet she* on earth hath union [* the Church Militant on Earth]
With God the Three in One,
And mystic sweet communion
With those whose rest is won,
O happy ones and holy!
Lord, give us grace that we
Like them, the meek and lowly,
On high may dwell with Thee. [the Church Triumphant in Heaven]
Text: Samuel J. Stone, 1866
Hebrews 12:22-24 also gives us a picture of this:
22 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.
The believer in Christ did not come to Mount Sinai with all its smoke, thunder, and death. Rather, the believer in Christ has come to Mount Zion and to “the general assembly and church of the firstborn” who is our Lord Jesus Christ. Some of this “general assembly” are called “the spirits of the righteous made perfect.” These are the glorified saints in heaven with whom believers on earth share, as the hymn says, “mystic sweet communion.”
Soli Deo Gloria,
Ed
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