What is the Church?

If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? But as it is, God has arranged each one of the parts in the body just as he wanted.

Israel is God’s chosen people

to show the world Him

Exodus 6:6–7 CSB

“Therefore tell the Israelites: I am the Lord, and I will bring you out from the forced labor of the Egyptians and rescue you from slavery to them. I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and great acts of judgment. I will take you as my people, and I will be your God. You will know that I am the Lord your God, who brought you out from the forced labor of the Egyptians.

We see Israel failing in being this holy people time and time again. However God is never fickle on His promises. (We’ll look at the purpose of the church in the coming weeks)

The Mystery of the Gospel in the NT

Colossians 1:26–27 CSB

the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints. God wanted to make known among the Gentiles the glorious wealth of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

Gentiles-

The Jerusalem Counsel

Acts 15:7–9 (CSB) — 7 After there had been much debate, Peter stood up and said to them, “Brothers, you are aware that in the early days God made a choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles would hear the gospel message and believe. 8 And God, who knows the heart, bore witness to them by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as he also did to us. 9 He made no distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by faith.

The Holy Spirit’s Temple

1 Corinthians 12:13 CSB

For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and we were all given one Spirit to drink.

We are formed by the Holy Spirit (flesh and blood did not reveal)

Amos Youg quotes Clark Pinnock written work, which states “God’s breath flows in the world at large, not just within the confines of Christian movements”. (the building of the church).

God’s calling to us....(this is a missional concept for us too)

Christ’s Body

This entire section uses the body illustration in reference to the church.

1 Corinthians 12:12 CSB

For just as the body is one and has many parts, and all the parts of that body, though many, are one body—so also is Christ.

Christ is the Head

Body imagery

Ephesians 5:25–27 CSB

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself for her to make her holy, cleansing her with the washing of water by the word. He did this to present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or anything like that, but holy and blameless.

Romans 5:8 CSB

But God proves his own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.