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Sep 13, 2009

What is a Christian Church?

Preacher: Tim Badal

Series:Exploring Ecclesiology: God's Blueprint for the Church

Summary:

Part 1 “What is a Christian Church?” Various Scriptures For one to have a clear understanding of the church, one must explore the church: 1. Grammatically ekklesia: an assembly of people gathered together The ekklesia can be broken up into 2 groups: The invisible ekklesia: The church that only God sees. Membership saved Both living and dead Only one universal church No single denomination The entire body of Christ Christ is the only head The visible ekklesia : The church that we see. Membership saved and lost Only those living at this time Many local churches Differing denominations Part of the body of Christ Different types of government Biblical names for this ekklesia: The Bride of Christ The Flock of God The Body of Christ The Family of God The Branches The House of God Definition: The church is a community of regenerated believers who confess Jesus Christ as Lord. In obedience to scripture they organize locally under qualified leadership, gather regularly for preaching and worship, observe the biblical ordinances of baptism and the Lord’s Supper, are unified by the Spirit, are disciplined for holiness, and scatter to fulfill the Great Commandment and Great Commission to the world for God’s glory and their joy. 2. Historically Church history can be broken up into the following: Post-Apostolic Times -33 A.D. to 6th Century Roman Catholic- 6th Century to Present Orthodox 1054 to Present Protestant-1517 to Present 3. Organizationally If we desire our church to function properly we must: Follow the same Lord Pursue the same way of life Submit to qualified leaders Partner together as laborers To live out the following we must be involved in the following activities: Worship Instruction Fellowship Evangelism ‘Service 4. Biblically Scripture reminds us that the life of the church involved a: Special person Secret plan Specific purpose

Detail:

Part 1

“What is a Christian Church?”

Various Scriptures

For one to have a clear understanding of the church, one must explore the church:

1.       Grammatically

ekklesia: an assembly of people gathered together

  The ekklesia can be broken up into 2 groups:

The invisible ekklesia: The church that only God sees.

  • Membership saved
  • Both living and dead
  • Only one universal church
  • No single denomination
  • The entire body of Christ
  • Christ is the only head

The visible ekklesia : The church that  we see.

  • Membership saved and lost
  • Only those living at this time
  • Many local churches
  • Differing denominations
  • Part of the body of Christ
  • Different types of government

 

Biblical names for this ekklesia:

  • The Bride of Christ
  • The Flock of God
  • The Body of Christ
  • The Family of God
  • The Branches
  • The House of God

 

Definition: The church is a community of regenerated believers who confess Jesus Christ as Lord.  In obedience to scripture they organize locally under qualified leadership, gather regularly for preaching and worship, observe the biblical ordinances of baptism and the Lord’s Supper, are unified by the Spirit, are disciplined for holiness, and scatter to fulfill the Great Commandment and Great Commission to the world for God’s glory and their joy.

  

2.      Historically

Church history can be broken up into the following:

  • Post-Apostolic Times -33 A.D. to 6th Century
  • Roman Catholic- 6th Century to Present
  • Orthodox 1054 to Present
  • Protestant-1517 to Present

 

3.      Organizationally

If we desire our church to function properly we must:

  • Follow the same Lord
  • Pursue the same way of life
  • Submit to qualified leaders
  • Partner together as laborers

To live out the following we must be involved in the following activities:

Worship

Instruction

Fellowship

Evangelism

‘Service

 

4.      Biblically

Scripture reminds us that the life of the church involved a:

  • Special person
  • Secret plan
  • Specific purpose