Church

Church

I.  What is the church?

     A.  The New Testament word for church is ecclecia.

          1.  This word means an assembly or gathering of people

               called out in loyal obedience to God.

         2.  The church began by meeting in other people’s

               homes.  Nowhere in the New Testament is the church

               referred to as a building.  It wasn’t until many years later

               that buildings were made for people to have church

               services in.

         3.  The church is not supposed to be an isolated, private 

              religion.  The church is always described as a body of

               men and women who have come together out of love for

               God.

     B.  Who is the head of the church?

          1.  Jesus Christ is the head of the church.  In fact, the Bible 

              refers to the church as the “Bride of Christ.”

         2.  The mission of the church  is very clear.  Jesus tells us, 

“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, 

baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son

               and of the Holy Spirit.”  (Matthew 28:19)

         3.  This is referred to as The Great Commission.

C.  Who makes up the church?

          1.  All of us make up the Body of Christ – the church.  Since 

              Jesus is no longer physically here in body, if He wants 

              something done He has to find someone  to do it.  

         2.  Jesus is counting on all of us, as a congregation of 

              believers, to do it.  Every member of the church has a

               personal responsibility to take part in the mission of the 

              church.  

        3.  We are to let the Word go forth, that God loves us so

               much that we might have eternal life with Him.  This is 

               referred to as the “Good News,” the Gospel of Jesus

               Christ.  

 

II.  What is the ultimate goal and purpose of Christ’s Church?

     A.  There are three qualities that make up the goal of the

           church.

          1.  Bring people into a saving and personal relationship with 

              Jesus Christ.

        2.  Help them grow spiritually in the Christian faith.

        3.  Send them out into the world to witness to others about

               the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

     B.  What is the Gospel of Jesus Christ?

          1.  To make it crystal clear, the answer is found in John 3:16:

              “For God so loved the world that He gave His only

               begotten Son that whoever believeth in Him shall not 

               perish but have everlasting life.”

     C.  When did the church begin?

          1.  The church began on the day of Pentecost when the Holy  
                Spirit revealed Himself.
           2.  After Peter's sermon, on the day of Pentecost, the Bible
                tells us these words:  
           3.  "And with many other words he testified and exhorted
                them saying, 'Be saved from this perverse generation.'
                Then those who gladly received his word were baptized;
                and that day about three thousand souls were added to
                them.  And they continued steadfastly in the apostles'
                doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in
                prayers."  (Acts 2:40-42.)

          4.  Our task is to continue the mission and to let the Word
                go forth that God loves you and wants you to be in His

                family, which is His church.