Life of church

The church lives its life in union with Christ

The church lives in Christ and Christ lives in the church

1 Corinthians 1:30 NASB95

30 But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption,

See also Mt 18:20; Jn 15:5; Jn 17:21; 1 Co 8:6; Ga 2:20; Col 1:27; Col 2:6; 1 Jn 4:13

Believers are united with Christ in baptism

Galatians 3:27 NASB95

27 For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.

See also Ac 2:38; Ac 19:5; Ro 6:3–4; Col 2:12

The church lives its life in the power of the Holy Spirit

The church lives in the Spirit, and the Spirit lives in the church

Ro 8:9–11 The indwelling Spirit is identified with the presence of Jesus Christ.

See also 1 Co 3:16; Ga 5:16; Ga 5:25; Eph 2:22; 2 Ti 1:14; 1 Jn 2:27

The Spirit is given to the church

Acts 1:4–5 NASB95

4 Gathering them together, He commanded them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for what the Father had promised, “Which,” He said, “you heard of from Me; 5 for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”

See also Jn 20:22; Ac 2:4; Ac 15:8; Ro 7:6; Ro 15:16; 1 Co 6:11; Ga 3:3; 1 Pe 1:1–2

The Spirit seals the church

Ephesians 1:13 NASB95

13 In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise,

See also 2 Co 1:22; 2 Co 5:5; Eph 4:30

The Spirit guides the church

Revelation 2:7 NASB95

7 ‘He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will grant to eat of the tree of life which is in the Paradise of God.’

See also Ac 8:29; Ac 10:19; Ac 11:12; Ac 13:2; Ac 20:23; Ac 21:4

The Spirit teaches the church

1 Corinthians 2:13 NASB95

13 which things we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words.

See also Jn 16:13; Eph 1:17

The Spirit sanctifies the church

Romans 15:16 NASB95

16 to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles, ministering as a priest the gospel of God, so that my offering of the Gentiles may become acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.

See also 1 Co 6:11; 2 Th 2:13; 1 Pe 1:2

The Spirit endows the church with gifts

1 Corinthians 12:7 NASB95

7 But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.

See also Ro 12:6–8; 1 Co 12:8–11; 1 Co 12:28; Eph 4:11

The church as a fellowship

As a fellowship of mutual love

1 Thessalonians 5:11 NASB95

11 Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing.

See also Ro 15:2; 1 Co 14:12; Ga 6:10; 1 Th 4:18; Heb 10:25

As a fellowship of ordinary people

1 Corinthians 1:26–27 NASB95

26 For consider your calling, brethren, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble; 27 but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong,

See also Lk 6:20; Jas 2:5

The distinctiveness of the church

The church as a chosen people

1 Peter 2:9 NASB95

9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;

See also Eph 1:4; Col 3:12

The church as a holy people

Hebrews 12:14 NASB95

14 Pursue peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no one will see the Lord.

See also Ro 11:16; Ro 15:16; 1 Co 1:2; Eph 2:21; Eph 5:3; 1 Th 3:13; Heb 2:11; 1 Pe 1:15–16; 2 Pe 3:11

The church as a people set apart

2 Co 7:1 The repeated call to be separate from evil is the practical outworking of the church’s sanctification.

See also 1 Co 5:9–12; 2 Co 6:14–18; Eph 5:7; 2 Th 3:14; 2 Ti 3:1–5; Tt 3:10–11

The church as a heavenly people

John 17:14–16 NASB95

14 “I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. 15 “I do not ask You to take them out of the world, but to keep them from the evil one. 16 “They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.

See also Lk 10:20; 1 Co 15:48; Ga 4:26; Eph 2:6; Php 3:20; Col 3:1–4; Heb 11:16; Heb 12:22–23

The church and worship

Praise in the life of the church

Hebrews 13:15 NASB95

15 Through Him then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name.

See also Ac 2:47; 1 Co 14:26; Eph 5:18–20; Php 3:3; Col 3:16

Prayer in the life of the church

Corporate prayer in the church:

Ac 1:14; Ac 2:42; Ac 4:24–31; Ac 12:5; Ac 12:12; Ac 20:36; Ac 21:5

Prayer for church leaders:

Ro 15:30; Eph 6:19–20; Col 4:2–4; 1 Th 5:25; 2 Th 3:1; Heb 13:18

Eph 6:18 prayer for all Christians; 1 Ti 2:1–2 prayer for all, including secular leaders

Baptism in the life of the church

Ac 2:38; 1 Co 1:13; Ga 3:26–27; Eph 4:4–5; Col 2:11–12; 1 Pe 3:21

The Lord’s Supper in the life of the church

1 Co 10:16–17 The breaking of bread was central to the church’s worship and a vital expression of its fellowship.

See also Ac 2:42; Ac 2:46; Ac 20:7; 1 Co 10:21; 1 Co 11:17–34

The suffering of the church

Suffering persecution from a hostile world

John 16:33 NASB95

33 “These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.”

See also Mt 5:10–12; 1 Co 4:12; 2 Co 4:9; 1 Th 3:4; 2 Ti 3:12

Sharing in the sufferings of Christ

Philippians 3:10 NASB95

10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death;

See also Jn 15:20; Ro 8:17; 2 Co 4:10–11; 1 Pe 4:13

Suffering as the road to glory

James 1:12 NASB95

12 Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.

See also Ro 5:3; Ro 8:18; 2 Co 4:17; 2 Ti 2:11–12; 1 Pe 5:10