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I. What is the Church?

A. The New Testament word for “church” is ekklesia, which comes from a verb meaning “to callout.” The word originally spoke of a gathering of citizens called out from their homes to a public assembly. However, ekklesia was also used by the early church to describe any gathering or assembling of believers together.

B. The word “Church” may refer to the universal body of Christ, which encompasses all true believers of all time since the cross (Ephesians 3:14-15) or to a local congregation as a segment of the larger church (Acts 16:4-5). The first use is usually indicated with a capital “C” and the second with a small “c.”

C. The Church is God’s idea. He planned for it, birthed it, nurtures it and preserves it. Because of the place the Church has within the plan of God and the provisions of His grace, the Church asa whole will always stand victoriously. The “gates (synonymous with ‘power’) of hell” will never overcome or overpower the Church (Matthew 16:18).

D. The New Testament presents the Church as a community of believers in “fellowship”(koinonia, meaning, “a sharing of something in common”) with one another. Together, we share great, eternal blessings in Christ. And, together we are a healing community, a praying community, a serving community and an evangelistic community.

E. The Church is called the Body of Christ because it, first, is the physical manifestation of the ongoing ministry of Jesus on earth through His Spirit and, second, because, as is true in a physical body, every part is necessary for the correct function of the whole as it receives direction from the head. See Romans 12:51; 1 Corinthians 12:12-27; and Ephesians 1:23; 4:12.

THE IDEA OF “MEMBERSHIP” IN THE CHURCH

All true Christians are made members of the Church—the Body of Christ from the moment of salvation. In this way, membership is our birthright, a provision of the grace of God. See such verses as Eph. 2:17-21. However, it is not wrong for local congregations to also allow for an expression of commitment and common vision to the work of God through what is usually called “membership” in the local church.

Some churches have also used the phrase “Covenant Partnership” to express this commitment within the local church. The word “Covenant” throughout the Old Testament and New Testament carries the idea of an enduring agreement and alliance in a spiritual context. The word “Partnership” speaks of our fellowship and communion with one another.

II. Why is the Church?

The Church is the Body of Christ, the habitation of God through the Spirit, with divine appointments for the fulfillment of her great commission. Each believer, born of the Spirit, is an integral part of the General Assembly and Church of the Firstborn, which are written in heaven (Ephesians 1:22,23; Hebrews 12:23). Since God’s purpose concerning man is to save that which is lost, to be worshipped by man, and to build a body of believers in the image of His Son.

We believe the Church should focused in three primary directions!

A. We need to be OUTWARD FOCUSED

The church is to be an agency of God for evangelizing the world.

Acts 1:8 “8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.””

Matthew 28:19-20 “19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.” “20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.””

Romans 10:13–15 “13 For “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” 14 But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? 15 And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, “How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!””

We evangelize the world by doing two specific things, sharing Jesus with others and sending others to share Jesus with others.

B. We need to be INWARD FOCUSED.

The church is to be a channel God uses to build his body.

Ephesians 4:16 “He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.”

1 Corinthians 12:28 “28 Here are some of the parts God has appointed for the church: first are apostles, second are prophets, third are teachers, then those who do miracles, those who have the gift of healing, those who can help others, those who have the gift of leadership, those who speak in unknown languages.”

1 Corinthians 14:12 “12 And the same is true for you. Since you are so eager to have the special abilities the Spirit gives, seek those that will strengthen the whole church.”

C. We need to be UPWARD FOCUSED.

The church is to be a corporate body in which man may worship God.

1 Corinthians 12:13 “13 Some of us are Jews, some are Gentiles, some are slaves, and some are free. But we have all been baptized into one body by one Spirit, and we all share the same Spirit.”

We wall worship from the same spirit, but not in the same way.

There is a lot to be said about how we worship God corporately. But most churches differ not out of severe doctrinal issues but out of personal preferences. And those preferences are often defined by your experiences.

Worshipping God at church is to be a supplement not the substance of your worship!

Romans 12:1 “1 And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.”

John 4:21–24 “21 Jesus replied, “Believe me, dear woman, the time is coming when it will no longer matter whether you worship the Father on this mountain or in Jerusalem. 22 You Samaritans know very little about the one you worship, while we Jews know all about him, for salvation comes through the Jews. 23 But the time is coming—indeed it’s here now—when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The Father is looking for those who will worship him that way. 24 For God is Spirit, so those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth.””

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