Lesson 5 The Church NOTE The English word

Lesson 5 - The Church

NOTE: The English word Church is translated from the Greek word Ecclesia which means "called out ones. "

1. The Formation of the Church

1. The Formation of the Church A. Jesus Promised that the Church would be built upon the foundation of Peter's confession, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God" (Matt. 16: 16 ff).

1. The Formation of the Church B. The Church is APOSTOLIC

1. The Formation of the Church B. The Church is APOSTOLIC …built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. – Ephesians 2: 20

1. The Formation of the Church C. The Church was actually established in JERUSALEM on the Day of PENTECOST in A. D. 30 when 3, 000 believed Peter's message and were baptized.

1. The Formation of the Church Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day. – Acts 2: 41

2. The Nature of the Church

2. The Nature of the Church A. The body of CHRIST

2. The Nature of the Church A. The body of CHRIST Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. – 1 Cor. 12: 27 And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. – Col. 1: 18

2. The Nature of the Church A. The body of CHRIST 1) This phrase describes the Church UNIVERSAL

2. The Nature of the Church A. The body of CHRIST 1) This phrase describes the Church UNIVERSAL 2) It also stresses the Unity of the Church, the interdependence of its members, and their vital relationship with the Head, Jesus Christ.

2. The Nature of the Church B. The TEMPLE of the Holy Spirit

2. The Nature of the Church B. The TEMPLE of the Holy Spirit Don't you know that yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you? – 1 Cor. 3: 16 In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. – Eph. 2: 21

2. The Nature of the Church C. The New (or "Heavenly") Jerusalem

2. The Nature of the Church C. The New (or "Heavenly") Jerusalem 1) In the NT the Church is seen to be the spiritual counterpart of Jerusalem. But you have come to Mount Zion, to the heavenly Jerusalem, the city of the living God. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly – Hebrews 12: 22

2. The Nature of the Church C. The New (or "Heavenly") Jerusalem 2) In the OT Mount Zion was the place where Israel's worship was centered, and Jerusalem was regarded as the place of the Divine Presence.

2. The Nature of the Church D. The New ISRAEL

2. The Nature of the Church D. The New ISRAEL If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise. – Galatians 3: 29

2. The Nature of the Church D. The New ISRAEL But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. – 1 Peter 2: 9

2. The Nature of the Church E. The PILLAR and FOUNDATION of the Truth.

2. The Nature of the Church E. The PILLAR and FOUNDATION of the Truth. …if I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God's household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth. – 1 Tim. 3: 15

2. The Nature of the Church E. The PILLAR and FOUNDATION of the Truth. 1) The Church is the guardian and defender of God's Truth.

2. The Nature of the Church E. The PILLAR and FOUNDATION of the Truth. 1) The Church is the guardian and defender of God's Truth. 2) The Church is grounded in the Truth and is the stronghold of it.

2. The Nature of the Church F. The FAMILY(or "Household") of God.

2. The Nature of the Church F. The FAMILY(or "Household") of God. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. – Galatians 6: 10

2. The Nature of the Church G. The BRIDE of Christ.

2. The Nature of the Church G. The BRIDE of Christ. Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready. – Revelation 19: 7

3. The Characteristics of the Church

3. The Characteristics of the Church A. UNITY

3. The Characteristics of the Church A. UNITY - John 17: 1 -26

3. The Characteristics of the Church A. UNITY There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. – Galatians 3: 28

As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit-- just as you were called to one hope when you were called--one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. – Ephesians 4: 1 -6

3. The Characteristics of the Church B. HOLINESS

3. The Characteristics of the Church B. HOLINESS But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy. " – 1 Peter 1: 15 -16

3. The Characteristics of the Church C. CATHOLICITY (= universal nature)

3. The Characteristics of the Church C. CATHOLICITY 1) In the Christian Church believers constitute one organic whole.

3. The Characteristics of the Church C. CATHOLICITY 2) The Church is Meant to Embrace all NATIONS Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit – Matthew 28: 18

3. The Characteristics of the Church C. CATHOLICITY 3) The Church is to TEACH Obedience to Christ's Commands. …and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. " – Matthew 28: 20

4. The Ordinances of the Church

4. The Ordinances of the Church A. Lord's Supper (or Eucharist)

4. The Ordinances of the Church A. Lord's Supper (or Eucharist) B. Baptism (or Immersion)

5. MEMBERS of the Church

5. MEMBERS of the Church A. Includes all those who have confessed faith in Christ and been baptized. You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. – Galatians 3: 26 -27

5. MEMBERS of the Church B. CHILDREN of God How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. – 1 John 3: 1

5. MEMBERS of the Church C. SAINTS To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ. – Romans 1: 7

5. MEMBERS of the Church D. SERVANTS Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God. – 1 Peter 2: 16

6. Importance of FELLOWSHIP in the Church

6. Importance of FELLOWSHIP in the Church 1. I belong in God’s family with other believers.

6. Importance of FELLOWSHIP in the Church Whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone, especially to our Christian brothers and sisters – Galatians 6: 10. You are citizens along with all of God’s holy people. You are members of God’s family – Eph 2: 19.

6. Importance of FELLOWSHIP in the Church 2. I need encouragement to grow spiritually. Think of ways to encourage one another to outbursts of love and good deeds – Hebrews 10: 24.

6. Importance of FELLOWSHIP in the Church 3. I need accountability to grow spiritually.

6. Importance of FELLOWSHIP in the Church You must warn each other every day, as long as it is called “today, ” so that none of you will be deceived by sin and hardened against God – Hebrews 13: 3.

6. Importance of FELLOWSHIP in the Church Dear brothers and sisters, if another Christian is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself. Share each other’s troubles and problems, and in this way obey the law of Christ – Galatians 6: 1 -2.

6. Importance of FELLOWSHIP in the Church 4. Christ is present when we fellowship together. For where two or three gather together because they are mine, I am there among them – Matt 18: 20.

6. Importance of FELLOWSHIP in the Church 5. There is great power when people pray together. If two of you agree down here on earth concerning anything you ask, my Father in heaven will do it for you – Matthew 18: 19.

6. Importance of FELLOWSHIP in the Church 6. Fellowship is a witness to the world. Jesus said, My prayer for all of them is that they will be one, just as you and I are one, Father—that just as you are in me and I am in you, so that they will be in us, and the world will believe you sent me – John 17: 21.

6. Importance of FELLOWSHIP in the Church 7. I am obligated to every other Christian. A spiritual gift is given to each of us as a means of helping the entire church … Now all of you together are Christ’s body and each one of you is a separate and necessary part of it – 1 Corinthians 12: 7, 27.

Some “One Anothers” of Fellowship Serve one another Galatians 5: 13 Accept one another Romans 15: 7 Forgive one another Colossians 3: 13 Greet one another Romans 16: 16 Bear one another’s burdens Galatians 6: 2 Be devoted to one another Romans 12: 10 Honor one another Romans 12: 10 Teach one another Romans 15: 14 Submit to one another Ephesians 5: 21 Encourage one another 1 Thessalonians 5: 11