09-13-2020 - What's in a name - Charity Baptist CHURCH

What is a church?

A “called out assembly” that is humanly speaking locally governed by that assembly, but spiritually speaking is governed by the Lord Jesus Christ

Colossians 1:16–18 NLT

16 for through him God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth. He made the things we can see and the things we can’t see— such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world. Everything was created through him and for him. 17 He existed before anything else, and he holds all creation together. 18 Christ is also the head of the church, which is his body. He is the beginning, supreme over all who rise from the dead. So he is first in everything.

In the Bible the word church is translated from the greek word “ekklesia”

Our English word comes from the Dutch “kerk” or German “Kirche” and is actually derived from the Greek “kyriakos” which means “belonging to the Lord” or “kiyriake oika which means “belonging to the house of the Lord”

The greek “ekklesia” is not used in the New Testament to mean a building, but always a gathering or assembly of people, coming together, in the temple, in homes

Acts 5:42 NLT

42 And every day, in the Temple and from house to house, they continued to teach and preach this message: “Jesus is the Messiah.”

Philemon 2 ESV

2 and Apphia our sister and Archippus our fellow soldier, and the church in your house:

Acts 20:20 ESV

20 how I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you in public and from house to house,

In the book of Acts, James, 3 John, Revelation and nearly every case in the early Pauline letters the term “ekklesia” - church, refers to a LOCAL CONGREGATION/ASSEMBLY

The actual word “ekklesia” is used only two times in the 4 gospel accounts, both times in the Book of Matthew (16:18; 18:17)

Matthew 16:18 ESV

18 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

Matthew 18:17 NLT

17 If the person still refuses to listen, take your case to the church. Then if he or she won’t accept the church’s decision, treat that person as a pagan or a corrupt tax collector.

The Local Assembly has an elder/pastor/bishop who is responsible for the oversight, care of the flock, for the ministry of the Word and prayer - Thus worship in general.

John 21:15–17 ESV

15 When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” 16 He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” 17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.

Acts 6:4 ESV

4 But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”

Acts 20:18–21 ESV

18 And when they came to him, he said to them: “You yourselves know how I lived among you the whole time from the first day that I set foot in Asia, 19 serving the Lord with all humility and with tears and with trials that happened to me through the plots of the Jews; 20 how I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you in public and from house to house, 21 testifying both to Jews and to Greeks of repentance toward God and of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.

Acts 20:27–32 ESV

27 for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God. 28 Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood. 29 I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; 30 and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them. 31 Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish every one with tears. 32 And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.

1 Peter 5:1–5 ESV

1 So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: 2 shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; 3 not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. 4 And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. 5 Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

1 Timothy 4:6–11 NLT

6 If you explain these things to the brothers and sisters, Timothy, you will be a worthy servant of Christ Jesus, one who is nourished by the message of faith and the good teaching you have followed. 7 Do not waste time arguing over godless ideas and old wives’ tales. Instead, train yourself to be godly. 8 “Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come.” 9 This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it. 10 This is why we work hard and continue to struggle, for our hope is in the living God, who is the Savior of all people and particularly of all believers. 11 Teach these things and insist that everyone learn them.

Next Week: Why the Church?