Ecclesiology- The study of the Church In outline Form

Introduction- The Church

Importance- What one thinks of the meaning in this area, has a major role in his views in all other areas of the doctrine.

Meaning- the word church- To call out, to assemble- A called assembly.

1. The church is looked at as threefold in the New Testament:

• Civil ( Acts 19:32,39,41)
• Jewish ( Acts 7:37-38 ) as in Law &
• The Christian Church- ref 99% of the time.

 

The Christian Church reference is made up of both groups and the body also known as the universal or invisible church.

The body consist of :

1Cor 10:32, 12:32

• Living Believers- the entire body of living believers, Jew, Gentile, Church.

Acts 20:28, Eph 1:22,3:10,3:21,5:23,25,27, Col 1:18,24

• Entire body of Christ- Living and those who have gone to live w/ the Lord

Acts 8:1-3,11:22,26,18:23, Rom 16:1,5

• And for the most part the Local assemble( Local Churches) 85% N.T reference

The nature of the church:

The church is both an Organism and an organization, but first some erroneous views.

1. National Israel and the Church are the same
2. Spiritual Israel and the Church are the same
3. The Kingdom of God and the Church of God are the same &
4. The Kingdom of Heaven and the Kingdom of God are the same.

Reason for each Erroneous view:

* National Israel and the church can not be the same because it claims believers both old and new are the same, but the church did not appear until after Pentecost and it includes Only those Saved to include Gentiles not just saved and unsaved Jews.

* Spiritual Israel and the Church can not be the same because once again Gentiles have been included and it did not happen until after Pentecost. Spiritual Israel claim the church is Spiritual Israel meaning Saved Jews from the Old Testament.

* The Kingdom Of God meaning all those both human and spiritual can not be synonymous with the Church because the Church is represented by man as the Body of Christ.

* The Kingdom Of Heaven and the Kingdom Of God can not be synonymous because The Kingdom Of Heaven refers to the Millennium Kingdom and the Kingdom Of God is of all ages. The Kingdom of Heaven was first offered to the Jews and after rejection given to the Gentiles an referred to as the Mystery of Heaven ( a form of Heaven today) Mat chapter 12 & 13 explains this view.

Biblical Views of the Church a two fold nature- organism meaning alive , an organization meaning organized.

As an Organism: The Body of Christ is not limited or identical to the Local Church.

The union of the Organism is the Head to the Body: Head being Christ (Eph 1:22) and Body being Church.

The Church as an organism is looked at in two ways,

• Both in it's Body of Christ, but one in its unity as in the church and second as members baptized into the body of Christ.

1. John 17:11,21-23 Eph 4:4-6 Water Baptism- entrance into local church
2. Cor 12:13 Spirit baptism- entrance into the Body of Christ

The one body is never used as a local Church but of all believers.

• In it's unity its one body but many members (Col 2:9, 1 Cor 12:12-26,3:11)
• It was formed the day after Pentecost after the Resurrection (John 20:21,22)
• The Body of Christ Functions thur the Local Church or local assembly
  • Believers need to be a part of a local church to fulfill growth

As soon as one is saved he in placed into the Body of Christ and receives the Spirit baptism.

7 main figures depicting the Organism

1. The Head and the Body- main figure (figures growth & unity) Christ Headship is authoritative.

   Christ is the Head of Angels (Col 2:10), Every Man (1 Peter 2:7), Corner (Acts 4:11), Church (Eph 4:15,5:23, Col 1:18.2:19)

   The Body will be complete at the Rapture

2. Headstone & Building-The first stone placed determines the foundation for the whole building. Christ is the 1st cornerstone (Eph 2:20). Christ is the Foundation Stone(1 Cor 3:11). The Church is a living stone, a spiritual building (1 Peter 2:5). Christ dwells in the church, today as the Headstone.

3. Bridegroom & Bride- Christ is the Groom and the church is the bride. A relationship of union and intimacy (Eph 5). The Church age is during the betrothed period. Christ goes to Fathers house to gather for the Bride.

   Israel is like a bride, but is more like a wife.(Isa 49:18)

4. Shepherd & Sheep- Christ is the Great Shepherd, the Good Shepherd and one day will be the Chief Shepherd( Heb 13:20, John 10:11, 1 Peter 5). He leads and cares for his sheep, they know His voice. The sheep depend on their Shepherd.

   Gentile Sheep saved during tribulation ( Mat 25).

5. Vine and Branches- As union and communion ( John 15) , we are fruitful when we abide in Christ. We are to produce the fruit of the Spirit and new believers. Can't be fruitful apart from Christ.

6. The High Priest and the Kingdom of Priest- Figures of Official functions

   Christ is the Great High Priest. ( Heb 4:14) and we're a kingdom of Priest (Rev 12:12-20) v/s 6. The Holy Priesthood (1 Peter 2)

7. The Last Adam and the New creation- 3 views of when Christ became the Last Adam. 1. At incarnation, 2. His Baptism, 3. At His Resurrection (1Cor 15:45)

   Last Adam- Heavenly and First Adam is Earthly

   Evidence the Church as an Organization-

   The relationship between the Local Church and the Body of Christ- They both have the same head, foundation, and they both have the will of Christ.

   Acts6:1-7,14:23,Titus 1:5 1. They had Church Offices-Bishop, Elder, Deacon

   Acts 2:14,4:4, 1 Tim 5:9 2. Kept a membership role-Kept up w/ # of saved

   Acts 4:23,31,5:12, 1 Cor 16:1-2 3. Met a stated times

   1 Tim 2:1-8, Rom 16:17 4. Had Church Discipline-Doctrine of Discipline Based on the character of God

   • a. scope is__________________________
   • b. Object is restoration
   • c. Effect is Humiliation before God

Steps in Discipline

1. Mat 18:15, Gal 6:1 Individual admonishment
2. Mat 18:15,16 Corporate admonishment
3. Mat 18:18 3. Gradual Separation after Public Display
4. Acts 5, 1 Cor 5:9,11,13 4. Final Excommunication

Main purpose was to bring member back to God for the Health and welfare of the body

1 Cor 16:1-2, 2 Cor 8-7,9 5. Raised money for the Lord's work

• a. Tithe demanded during Mosaic Era

First mention of tithe was Abraham, Gen 14:20, Second mention was with Jacob Gen 28:20,22. Israel was blessed for remembrance and condemned for quitting (Mal)

• b. Was the only complimentary thing Christ ever said about Pharisees. (Mat. 23:23)

16 out of 18 Parables deal with money matters 1 out of 6 verses in the New Testament

• c. Tithes Continues during Church Dispensation (Heb 7:8)

Certain Principles for today regarding Tithes

• Mal 3:10 1. Bring in his money to the local church each Lords day
• 10% should be a minimum amount

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About Laura as a Christian

• What do the Seven Churches in Revelations Stand For?
• The Millennium Defined
• What is the Rapture?
• The Study of the Church in Outlined Form
• The Lord's Supper

About Laura As a Breeder