Doctrine of the Church

Introduction

Matthew 16:18 KJV 1900

18 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.

Body

Definitions

Ecclesiology - The study of the Church in its nature, ordinances, ministry, mission and government.

Kuriakon (HOO-ree-a-khan) - The Greek word from which the English word “Church” is derived. It means “belonging to the Lord”. It’s never applied to the Church in the New Testament period, but is found twice in the New Testament as an adjective applying to The Lord’s Supper and to the Lord’s Day.

Ekklesia - Every use of the “Church” in the New Testament is translated from this Greek word. It means “an assembly of people”.

The term is derived from two Greek words, ek meaning “out from,” and Kaleo which means “to call.”

So originally, “the ones called out” had reference to the legislative body of citizens of the Greek republic called from their communities to serve the country.

If we were to mention a session of the State “Assembly,” we’d be using the word “assembly” in exactly the same way the Greeks used the term ekklesia.

By the time Jesus used the word to designate the body He would build, the word borrowed meaning from at least two sources:

The Jewish use of the word in the Greek Old Testament (Septuagint) where it referred to the “congregation” of Israel

The Greek employment of the word to refer to any assembly of people, whether a constituted body or an unorganized mob

Acts 7:37-38 “37 This is that Moses, which said unto the children of Israel, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear. 38 This is he, that was in the church in the wilderness with the angel which spake to him in the mount Sina, and with our fathers: who received the lively oracles to give unto us:”

Use of the Term “Church” in the New Testament

The Universal Body of Christ

Matthew 16:18 “18 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.”

Ephesians 3:10 “10 To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,”

Hebrews 12:22-23 “22 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, 23 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,”

The Universal Church is composed of all genuine Christian believers of all ages, both on earth and in paradise. The total Body of Christ

The Local Church

Colossians 4:16 “16 And when this epistle is read among you, cause that it be read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and that ye likewise read the epistle from Laodicea.”

Galatians 1:2 “2 And all the brethren which are with me, unto the churches of Galatia:”

The Local Church is composed of Christian believers identified with a constituted body worshipping and serving Christ in one locality.

The members of a local church constitute the Church even when they are not assembled.

Acts 14:27 “27 And when they were come, and had gathered the church together, they rehearsed all that God had done with them, and how he had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles.”

All genuine believers are members of the Universal Body of Christ; however all faithful believers are to be identified with a local church where the assemble for worship, fellowship, and service with some regularity

Hebrews 10: 24-25 “24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: 25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.”

Because Christians are not believers only, but disciples of Jesus Christ, brethren, and members of a body, we cannot properly be Christians in isolation.

House Churches

I Corinthians 16:19 “19 The churches of Asia salute you. Aquila and Priscilla salute you much in the Lord, with the church that is in their house.”

When the church in a given community was very large, there were many house churches

I Corinthians 14:23 “23 If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad?”

In small communities, one house church may have accommodated the entire body

Colossians 4:15 “15 Salute the brethren which are in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the church which is in his house.”

It appears that each of these house churches had an elder (pastor) overseeing them, but every house church in that city was considered one church

Acts 20:17 “17 And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church.”

Churches Acting in Concert

The local churches had a lot of liberty to govern themselves, insofar as they were not governed by a central hierarchy. However:

The churches acted in concert and followed Apostolic Leadership

Acts 14:23 “23 And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed.”

I Corinthians 16:19 “19 The churches of Asia salute you. Aquila and Priscilla salute you much in the Lord, with the church that is in their house.”

II Corinthians 11:28 “28 Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches.”

Paul for example:

Instructed local churches on doctrine, practice and government;

He sent greetings on behalf of groups of churches of an area;

He appointed elders over churches or instructed fellow-workers to appoint officers.

How the Word “Church” is NOT used in the New Testament

It’s not used of a Building

Ekklesia is always referencing people; it never has reference to a building of any kind.

Church building that were built for the specific purpose of gathering together to worship didn’t come until around the 3rd century AD.

When church buildings did come into existence they were referred to with a different word, kuriake (CURE-ye-ache)

Calling the building a church is a figure of speech called “metonomy” (MEET-eh-nomy)(the container put for the contents)

I Corinthians 11:26 “26 For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come.”

We don’t literally drink the cup. We drink the cup’s contents.

Same thing calling the building a “church”. We’re actually referring to the contents; i.e., the people.

Not used to refer to a Denomination

In the 1st century church there were no separate named identities, or denominations

There were no separate groups believing different doctrinal tenets such as Lutheran, Baptist, etc.

No doubt the ideal condition, and, in my mind, the will of God would have been that the church remained unified, one.

When the main body of believers however, broke from scripture and developed beliefs, doctrines, and practices not found in the Word of God, it was inevitable that other groups formed that were true to scripture.

Ecumenical movement seeks to bring all churches back together, but at the expense of doctrine and biblical purity.

They seek the “least common denominator”

The Officers, Ministers, and Leaders of the Church

Important to note that the titles borne by New Testament church leaders were more descriptive of their ministries than of their office and rank

The first members and leaders of the early church were Jews, familiar with the synagogue, and so patterned church organization somewhat after that of the synagogue.

There was definitely organization in the New Testament Church however.

When problems arose in certain ministry activities, leaders were appointed to administer those activities

Acts 6:1-7 “1 And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration. 2 Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables. 3 Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. 4 But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word. 5 And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch: 6 Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them. 7 And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.”

The disciples met regularly for worship; at first, every day; later, they met on the first day of the week

Acts 2:46-47 “46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, 47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.”

Acts 5:42 “42 And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.”

Acts 20:7 “7 And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight.”

I Corinthians 16:2 “2 Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.”

Diligence was given to the appointment of proper leadership

Acts 1:23-26 “23 And they appointed two, Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias. 24 And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen, 25 That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place. 26 And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.”

Acts 14:23 “23 And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed.”

Titus 1:5 “5 For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee:”

Qualifications for elders and deacons are set forth in some detail.

1 Timothy 3:1–13 KJV 1900

1 This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. 2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; 3 Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; 4 One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; 5 (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) 6 Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. 7 Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil. 8 Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre; 9 Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. 10 And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless. 11 Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things. 12 Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. 13 For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.

Each church had the authority to discipline or exclude certain members

Matthew 18:15-17 “15 Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. 16 But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. 17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.”

Members are admonished to respect and obey church leaders

I Thessalonians 5:12-13 “12 And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; 13 And to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. And be at peace among yourselves.”

Hebrews 13:17 “17 Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.”

Missionaries are sent forth by the church with official sanction

Acts 13:1-3 “1 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. 2 As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. 3 And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.”

A council was convened in Jerusalem to settle for the whole Christian Church a dispute over doctrine and practice

Acts 15 - the Jewish converts wanted the Gentile converts to be circumcised and to obey the law of Moses

The ruling by James was this: Acts 15:19-20 “19 Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God: 20 But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood.”

Apostles