1tim3.16
Hec appeared in a body,d
was vindicated by the Spirit,
was seen by angels,
was preached among the nations,
was believed on in the world,
was taken up in glory.
[1]
he Believers (1 Tim. 3:14–16)
Elders, deacons, and church members need to be reminded of what a local church is. In this brief paragraph, Paul gave three pictures of the church.
The house of God (v. 15a). God’s church is a family, so “household” might be a better translation. One of Paul’s favorite words is “brethren” (see 1 Tim. 4:6). When a sinner believes in Jesus Christ as Saviour, he immediately is born again into God’s family (John 1:11–13; 1 Peter 1:22–25). Paul advised young Timothy to treat the members of the local church as he would treat the members of his own family (1 Tim. 5:1–2).
Because the local church is a family, it must be fed; and the only diet that will nourish the people is the Word of God. It is our bread (Matt. 4:4), milk and meat (1 Cor. 3:1–2; Heb. 5:12–14), and honey (Ps. 119:103). A pastor must take time to nourish himself so that he might nourish others (1 Tim. 4:6). A church does not grow by addition, but by nutrition (Eph. 4:11–16). It is tragic to see the way some pastors waste their time (and their church’s time) all week long and then have nothing nourishing to give the people on the Lord’s Day.
[2]
The assembly (v. 15b). The word church is a translation of the Greek word ekklesia (ek-klay-SEE-a), which means “assembly.” It referred to the political assemblies in the Greek cities (Acts 19:29, 32) where business was transacted by qualified citizens. But it is used about 100 times in the New Testament to refer to local churches, assemblies of believers. The Greek word means “those called out.” (It is used in Acts 7:38 to describe the nation of Israel, called out of Egypt; but Israel was not a “church” in the New Testament sense.)
Paul wanted young Timothy to know how to “conduct himself” as a leader of a local assembly. The Pastoral Epistles are guidebooks for conduct of a local church. Scores of books have been published in recent years, purporting to tell us how to start, build, and increase a local church; and some of them contain good counsel. However, the best counsel for managing a local church is found in these three inspired letters. The young pastor in his first church, as well as the seasoned veteran in the ministry, should saturate himself with the teachings Paul shared with Timothy and Titus.
There are many different kinds of “assemblies,” but the church is the assembly of the living God. Because it is God’s assembly, He has the right to tell us how it ought to be governed. The church has been purchased with the blood of God’s Son (Acts 20:28); therefore, we must be careful how we conduct ourselves. Church officers must not become religious dictators who abuse the people in order to achieve their own selfish ends (1 Peter 5:3–5; 3 John 9–12).
The pillar and ground of the truth (vv. 15c-16). This is an architectural image which would mean much to Timothy at Ephesus, for the great temple of Diana had 127 pillars. The word ground suggests a bulwark or a stay. The local church is built on Jesus Christ the Truth (John 14:6; 1 Cor. 3:9–15); but the local church is also itself a pillar and bulwark for the truth.
It is likely that the pillar aspect of the church’s ministry relates primarily to displaying the truth of the Word, much as a statue is put on a pedestal so all can see it. We must hold “forth the Word of life” so the world can see it (Phil. 2:16). The local church puts Jesus Christ on display in the lives of faithful members.
As a bulwark, the church protects the truth and makes sure it does not fall (for elsewhere “truth is fallen in the street, and equity cannot enter”—Isa. 59:14). When local churches turn away from the truth (1 Tim. 4:1ff) and compromise in their ministry, then the enemy makes progress. Sometimes church leaders must take a militant stand against sin and apostasy. This does not make them popular, but it does please the Lord.
What is the church
a. The bride of Christ
b. The body of Christ
c. Gods instition on the earth
What is the importance of the church in our lifes
a. You can be saved apart from the church however you can not grow spiritual without it.
There are two metaphors for the church
a.A building 1 peter 2.4-5
b. A body Rom 12.4
A christain out side of the church is of no more service than a brick laying apart from a building
The church is
a. put together 1 cor 12.12
b. joined together ehp 2.21,22
c. heirs ehp 3.6
d. fitted together col 2.19
e. held ehp4.16
f. to be caught up together 1 thess 4.7
the church then is a family not a club. We are to love each other as a family
we are
a.to be Members meaning choosing to be together-ehp 2.19
b.friend-acts 2.44
c.partner-1 cor3.9
c. Kinship-rom 12.10
[3]
[4]
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c Some manuscripts God
d Or in the flesh
[1]The Holy Bible : New International Version. 1996, c1984 (electronic ed.) (1 Ti 3:16). Grand Rapids: Zondervan.
[2]Wiersbe, W. W. (1996, c1989). The Bible exposition commentary. "An exposition of the New Testament comprising the entire 'BE' series"--Jkt. (1 Ti 3:14). Wheaton, Ill.: Victor Books.
[3]Wiersbe, W. W. (1996, c1989). The Bible exposition commentary. "An exposition of the New Testament comprising the entire 'BE' series"--Jkt. (1 Ti 3:14). Wheaton, Ill.: Victor Books.
[4]Wiersbe, W. W. (1996, c1989). The Bible exposition commentary. "An exposition of the New Testament comprising the entire 'BE' series"--Jkt. (1 Ti 3:14). Wheaton, Ill.: Victor Books.