What is a Church?

Intro. Identity.

What is THE Church?

Universal Church. All who place their faith in Jesus Christ in this age are immediately placed by the Holy Spirit into one united spiritual Body, the church, of which Christ is the Head (1 Cor 12:12-13; Eph 1:22, 4:15; Col 1:18). The formation of the church began on the Day of Pentecost and will be completed at the coming of Christ for His own at the rapture (Acts 2:1-21, 38-47; 1 Cor 15:51-52; 1 Thess 4:13-18). The church is thus a unique spiritual organism designed by Christ, made up of all born-again believers in this present age (Eph 2:11-3:6). The church is distinct from Israel, being a mystery not revealed until this age (1 Cor 10:32; Eph 3:1-6; 5:32, Col 1:24-27).

The Universal Church is comprised of all genuine believers in Christ across the world.

Christ began the church on the day of Pentecost

Believers are placed into the Spiritual Body of Christ through the holy spirit at the moment of conversion.

What is a LOCAL church?

i. A local church is a group of believers who share a commitment to the word of God and each other and meet regularly to 1) worship the triune God, 2) edify one another through the use of their spiritual gifts, 3) be exhorted and equipped from the Word of God for ministry, and 4) celebrate, observe, and practice the ordinances and discipline under the guidance of duly appointed leaders (Matt 18:15-19, 28:19-20; Acts 2:42; Rom 12:3-8; 1 Cor 5:1-5, 11:23-26; Eph 4:11-16; Col 3:16; 2 Tim 4:2; Titus 1:5-9; Heb 10:24-25).