What We Believe: The Church, Part One (03/29/2023)

Alter, James; Robertson II, Dolton. Why Baptist?: The Significance Of Baptist Principles In An Ecumenical Age . Ancient Baptist Press. Kindle Edition.

Now, that does not sound too dangerous! However, a more accurate and complete definition of ecumenism would be:

"a movement promoting unity between different Christian churches and groups by diminishing, changing, or ignoring the very words of God."

Alter, James; Robertson II, Dolton. Why Baptist?: The Significance Of Baptist Principles In An Ecumenical Age . Ancient Baptist Press. Kindle Edition.

That very next week, I received a package in the mail here at the church. In the package were two books and a handwritten letter. I do not know the individual who sent it to me nor do I know how he knew me. However, his letter read:

“In the spirit of ecumenism...”

Another reason highlighting the importance of knowing what you believe and why you believe it...

This evening, I am going to be referencing a specific book entitled:

A Glorious Church

While, yes, ultimately, God’s Word is the authority of our faith and practice, the writer of this book, Evangelist Dr. Mike Gass, has done a wonderful job of putting into a coherent those truths which I have longed believed but have not been able to adequately put them into words.

Dr. Gass states:

In its authentic, historical and biblical context the word church is very specific and precise.

Yet, Satan has effectively broadened and diluted its significance as well as its use.

Sadly, this word doesn’t mean to most people today what it has meant to the Bible-believing Christians throughout the centuries.

The result of this is the sad truth that church doesn’t mean very much to many people today.

Weekly Church Attendance by Generation

Although Millennials (and, emerging behind them, Gen Z) are known for declines in religiosity, data show that, since 2019, the percentage of Millennials reporting weekly church attendance has increased from 21 percent to 39 percent.

Among Gen X, attendance has increased 8 percentage points (24% to 32%). While Boomers show an increase in their attendance during the pandemic in 2020 (31% weekly), recent numbers show a decrease in attendance (25% in 2022).

Boomers: Born between 1946-1964

Gen X: Born between 1965-1980

Millennials: Born between 1981-1996

Gen Z: Born between 1997-2013

I would say that the prevailing view of church (and church attendance) - in the United States of America - is one of “Take It Or Leave It!”

It is important to know what we believe about the church!

Which leads us to...

What we believe about the church.

Turn to and read Matthew 16:13-19. Pray.

Before we get to our doctrinal statement, I would like to begin with a question:

Universal & Invisible or Local & Visible?

When speaking of the church, I have always held to and believed - not in a universal church - but in a local and visible church.

To help me answer that question, I am indebted to Dr. Mike Gass and his book, A Glorious Church, to help us understand what God is speaking of, in the New Testament, when He speaks of the church.

Our English word church comes from:

1577. ἐκκλησία ĕkklēsia, ek-klay-see´-ah; from a comp. of 1537 and a der. of 2564; a calling out, i.e. (concr.) a popular meeting, espec. a religious congregation

Note: This was a common word used in the 1st century to refer to any gathering of people.

Acts 19:39 KJV 1900

But if ye inquire any thing concerning other matters, it shall be determined in a lawful assembly.

Now it may not be necessary to say this, but sometimes the obvious is the very thing we miss.

An assembly is not an assembly unless it has assembled!

A congregation is not actually a congregation unless it has congregated.

In other words, it must convene! A New Testament church (ecclesia) must convene in order to meet the requirements of its own definition. This cannot be done invisibly!

Gass, Mike. A Glorious Church: A Study of the Origin, Identity, Heritage, and Integrity of the New Testament Church . Striving Together Publications. Kindle Edition.

What set this word apart was Jesus Christ when He said, in Matthew chapter 16, “…I will build my church...”

1st - It overwhelmingly refers to local, visible assemblies of Christians.

The Greek word ecclesia (assembly) is used [115] times in the New Testament.

Of those [115] occasions, 112 times it is used in connection with God in one of three different ways. [The other 3 times it is used in Acts chapter 19 to refer to the assembly of silversmiths in Ephesus who were upset at Paul’s ministry.]

First, it is overwhelmingly used to refer to specific, visible and local churches.

In fact, of the 112 references, 94 times it refers to local, visible assemblies.

That is, we know where these assemblies were located, whether by reference to a region, a city, or a home in which they were meeting.

Gass, Mike. A Glorious Church: A Study of the Origin, Identity, Heritage, and Integrity of the New Testament Church . Striving Together Publications. Kindle Edition.

Many examples of this meaning can be sited in the New Testament:

Acts 13:1 KJV 1900

Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.

1 Corinthians 1:2 KJV 1900

Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:

Galatians 1:2 KJV 1900

And all the brethren which are with me, unto the churches of Galatia:

1 Thessalonians 1:1 KJV 1900

Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians which is in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.

1st - It overwhelmingly refers to local, visible assemblies of Christians.

2nd - The word ecclesia is also sometimes used institutionally.

Matthew 16:18 KJV 1900

And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

When Jesus declared that He would build His church (Matthew 16:18), He was speaking to the apostles.

Again when Jesus gave the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18–20), He spoke to the apostles.

But the apostles have long since gone on to be with the Lord. Does that mean the Great Commission died with them? Of course not!

Jesus was speaking of His church as an institution, that it would perpetually exist beyond the limitations of any one human life until the end of the age.

Therefore, the church in a corporate or institutional sense is not invisible, nor is it universal.

When speaking of New Testament churches in a corporate sense—meaning in general rather than any one particular church—the term institution is appropriate.

Furthermore, just because you cannot physically see all those local New Testament churches which make up the institution does not mean they are invisible any more than we would speak of all those who are married as being invisible.

Gass, Mike. A Glorious Church: A Study of the Origin, Identity, Heritage, and Integrity of the New Testament Church . Striving Together Publications. Kindle Edition.

2nd - The word ecclesia is also sometimes used institutionally.

Then...

3rd - The word ecclesia is used to refer to the future gathering of all believers - in Heaven.

Hebrews 12:22–24 KJV 1900

But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.

In this passage, the apostle speaks of a future date when there would be a “general assembly and church of the first-born.”

In other words, there will someday be a “churching” or gathering together of the church in eternity.

Gass, Mike. A Glorious Church: A Study of the Origin, Identity, Heritage, and Integrity of the New Testament Church . Striving Together Publications. Kindle Edition.

This “gathering is spoken of in 1 Thessalonians chapter 4 as a means of encouraging the local church in Thessalonika.

Turn to and read 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

1 Thessalonians 4:13–18 KJV 1900

But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

1st - It overwhelmingly refers to local, visible assemblies of Christians.

2nd - The word ecclesia is also sometimes used institutionally.

3rd - The word ecclesia is used to refer to the future gathering of all believers - in Heaven.

We believe in the local church - a local body of baptized believers who have voluntarily joined themselves together for the purpose of fulfilling the Great Commission!

Next week, I’m going to continue by spending some time considering where the error of a universal/invisible church came from.

Prayer Requests

Update on Jonathan Sheffield:

I had reached out to the Sheffield Family shortly after hearing about Jonathan’s death. The family is not planning to have a funeral service for Jonathan. After we sent flowers to the family, I received the following text message from Mr. Sheffield:

Thank you for your voice message and prayers Pastor Campbell and also the flowers. We appreciate all you have done for Sarah and Jonathan. They reached out to us last fall after 7 years, and we had been rebuilding a relationship with them. I had recently spent a lot of time with Jonathan. He had come a long way toward recovery. We continue to see Sarah and her kids and are working to help her get on track. I hope you and your family are well. It is a tragedy, but we know God was working on his heart and hope to see him again.

Weekly Class Picture

Weekly Missionary

Bob Hackney - Stroke

Lillian Woodley

Church Parking Lot Repairs

Praying for an Open Door

Colossians 4:3–4 KJV 1900

Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds: That I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.

The Estates at Sugar Creek

The Ridge at Sugar Creek

Our Hispanic Community

Our Indian Community

Jon Griffeth and I visited the home of one of our 3 year old preschool students.

Her father told us that she came home telling them that they need to trust God.

Note: Emphasize John 14:6

John 14:6 KJV 1900

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Our Muslim Community

Neighborhood Bible Time & Teen Extreme!

June 25-30, 2023

Our Leaders

1 Timothy 2:1–2 KJV 1900

I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.

Praise the Lord, tonight, for our NC House and Senate who voted to override Gov. Cooper’s veto of SB 41.

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