There are many things in the New Testament that indicate the importance of the doctrine of the Church. For example, we are told that Christ loved the Church and gave Himself for it (Eph. 5:25); that the primary purpose of God for this age is the building of the Church (Matt. 16:18); that Paul considered it his greatest sin that he had persecuted the Church (1 Cor. 15:9; Gal. 1:13); and that this Apostle suffered many things for the Church (Col. 1:24).
The word “church” is the English rendering of one word ekklesia, made up of two Greek words meaning “out from among” and “to call.” It is therefore “a called-out assembly.” This word has secular, ethnic, or religious meaning, depending upon its context. Its secular meaning concerns a public assembly of people (Acts 19:32, 39, 41); with ethnic meaning it twice refers to Israel (Acts 7:38; Heb. 2:12); and with religious meaning it refers to groups of Christians: one, a local congregation of professing gospel believers (Acts 2:47; 8:1); two, the totality of gospel believers in a region (Acts 9:31); and three, our Lord’s invisible church, which is His mystical body (Eph. 1:22 – 23) and bride (2 Cor. 11:2).
How do you fit into God’s church? How should the local visible church function? Let God’s Word teach you on this important topic.
Article III: DECLARATION OF FAITH
Section F. The Church
1. We believe that the scriptures teach that the true or invisible church is composed of all who are born again and that by the same Spirit we are all baptized into one body (1 Cor. 12:12 -27; Eph. 4:3-6; Col. 3:14 – 17)
1. The true or invisible church consists of all who were saved and added to the church from Pentecost (Acts 2) until the Rapture (1 Thess. 4:16, 17). How is the group identified in the following scriptures? 1 Corinthians 12:12, 27; Eph. 4:3 -6; Col. 3:15.
2. Visible. We believe that the visible church consists of local congregations of believers (3 John 9; 1 Cor. 1:1-13, 4:17, 14:23; Matt. 18:17; Acts 5:11; Acts 8:1, 11:21 -23); associated by covenant in the faith and fellowship of the Gospel (Acts 2:4, 42, 47; 1 Cor. 5:12, 13); observing the ordinances of Christ (1 Cor. 11:2); governed by His laws (Gal. 6:2; Matt. 28:20; John 14:15, 15:12; 1 John 4:21; 2 John 6; 1 Thess. 4;2; all the Epistles); and exercising the gifts, rights and privileges invested in them by His work (Eph. 4:7) and seeking to extend the Gospel to the ends of the earth (Matt. 28:20).
2. How do the following scriptures indicate that the visible church consists of local congregations?
· 1 Corinthians 1:2
· 1 Corinthians 4:17
· Romans 16:5
· Acts 8:1
3. Read Acts 2:41 – 47. In what activities do we find the early church participating?
4. What laws of Christ should the local church be concerned with?
· Galatians 6:2
· Matthew 28:20; John 13:34
· 1 John 4:21
5. Why should believers be concerned about keeping the Lord’s commandments? See John 14:15.
6. What has been given to every believer and to what end was it given? See Ephesians 4:7, 13.
3. Relationships. We believe that the local visible church of Christ is a voluntary and independent autonomous group of believers; (Matt. 18:15 -18, 23:8 – 10; 1 Peter 5:3); that functions not as a pure democracy, but as a body under headship of the Lord Jesus Christ and the direction of the pastor as the under-shepherd with the counsel of the deacons (1 Peter 5:1 – 5; 1 Tim. 3:8 – 13). Determinations of the internal affairs of this church are ecclesiastical matters and shall be determined exclusively by the church’s own rules and procedures (1 Cor. 5:4 – 5, 13; 2 Cor. 2:7 -8). The pastor shall oversee and or conduct all aspects of this church. The deacons shall give counsel and assistance to the pastor as requested by him (Heb. 13:7, 17; 1 Thess. 5:12; Titus 1:5).
7. When problems arise between believers in the church, what steps are to be taken to resolve them? See Matthew 18:15 – 18.
8. Who is the Chief-Shepherd and who is the under-shepherd of a local church? See 1 Peter 5:1 – 5.
9. The local church has the authority to do what?
· 1 Corinthians 5:4-5, 13
· Acts 6:3 -6
· Jude 1:3
10. How is the church member to respond to his pastor? See Hebrews 13:7, 17 and 1 Thessalonians 5:12, 13.
Conclusion: In Acts 2:41 we find that, immediately after their salvation and baptism, believers were added to the local assembly in Jerusalem. Membership in a Bible-believing, Christ-honoring church in your community provides inspiration of fellowship with other believers and opportunities to do your part in the propagation of the Christian faith. Every believer should be an active member of a local church.
*The gray highlight is addition to the Bylaws.
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