Ecclesiology (Part 2)
Notes
Transcript
Handout
An important distinction between the universal church and a local church.
An important distinction between the universal church and a local church.
The universal church consists only of saved people, while a local church could have among its members people who are lost.
The universal church consists only of saved people, while a local church could have among its members people who are lost.
12 “And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write,
‘These things says He who has the sharp two-edged sword: 13 “I know your works, and where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is. And you hold fast to My name, and did not deny My faith even in the days in which Antipas was My faithful martyr, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells. 14 But I have a few things against you, because you have there those who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality. 15 Thus you also have those who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate. 16 Repent, or else I will come to you quickly and will fight against them with the sword of My mouth.
The origin of the church.
The origin of the church.
The church did not exist in the Old Testament.
The church did not exist in the Old Testament.
The church was not part of Old Testament prophecy.
The church was not part of Old Testament prophecy.
1 For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for you Gentiles—2 if indeed you have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which was given to me for you, 3 how that by revelation He made known to me the mystery (as I have briefly written already, 4 by which, when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ), 5 which in other ages was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets: 6 that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ through the gospel,
This truth was kept secret until Jesus declared His purpose to build His church.
This truth was kept secret until Jesus declared His purpose to build His church.
18 And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.
16 And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd.
Both of these verses indicate this will happen in the future . (“will build”, “will be one flock”)
Both of these verses indicate this will happen in the future . (“will build”, “will be one flock”)
The church could not exist until after Christ’s resurrection.
The church could not exist until after Christ’s resurrection.
19 and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power 20 which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places,
The church could not exist until after the ascension.
The church could not exist until after the ascension.
7 But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift. 8 Therefore He says:
“When He ascended on high,
He led captivity captive,
And gave gifts to men.”
9 (Now this, “He ascended”—what does it mean but that He also first descended into the lower parts of the earth? 10 He who descended is also the One who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things.)
11 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ,
7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you.
5 for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”
Christ’s announcement was pointed to the future and we see the church first mentioned in Acts 2 as already formed.
Christ’s announcement was pointed to the future and we see the church first mentioned in Acts 2 as already formed.
47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.
We would then say that the church was formed at Pentecost when the Holy Spirit ascended.
We would then say that the church was formed at Pentecost when the Holy Spirit ascended.
The formation of the church.
The formation of the church.
Christ is the cornerstone and foundation of the church.
Christ is the cornerstone and foundation of the church.
3 if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious.
4 Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious, 5 you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6 Therefore it is also contained in the Scripture,
“Behold, I lay in Zion
A chief cornerstone, elect, precious,
And he who believes on Him will by no means be put to shame.”
11 For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
Christ is the one building the church both quantitatively and qualitatively.
Christ is the one building the church both quantitatively and qualitatively.
Quantitatively by ministry to the unsaved.
Quantitatively by ministry to the unsaved.
Qualitatively by ministry to the saved.
Qualitatively by ministry to the saved.
The tools Christ uses to build His church.
The tools Christ uses to build His church.
He uses the Scriptures.
He uses the Scriptures.
15 and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
This is why it is important that our ministries are rich with the Word.
2 Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; 4 and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.
He uses the Holy Spirit.
He uses the Holy Spirit.
In addition to the Holy Spirit’s ministry of regeneration and sanctification, Christ uses the baptism of the Holy Spirit to for m His Church
In addition to the Holy Spirit’s ministry of regeneration and sanctification, Christ uses the baptism of the Holy Spirit to for m His Church
27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
It is more than that.
13 For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink into one Spirit.
27 Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually.
He uses people.
He uses people.
20 Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God.
We are the Body of Christ.
The distinctiveness of the church.
The distinctiveness of the church.
The church is distinct from Israel.
The church is distinct from Israel.
Some believe that Israel was the church of the Old Testament and now we are a part of the church of the New Testament.
Rather they are two distinct peoples who serve two distinct purposes. (even in the future)
Paul distinguishes between the two.
Paul distinguishes between the two.
32 Give no offense, either to the Jews or to the Greeks or to the church of God,
He also argues in Romans 11 that God has pushed away Israel but that He will restore it in the future.
The church is distinct from redeemed Gentiles of other ages.
The church is distinct from redeemed Gentiles of other ages.
Nowhere do we see it taught that saved gentiles of other ages are part of Christ’s body - the church.
All will be brought to Christ.
10 that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth—in Him.
Not all are part of Christ’s body.
13 For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink into one Spirit.
The church is distinct from Christ’s Kingdom.
The church is distinct from Christ’s Kingdom.
The church is part of Christ’s Kingdom but not all of Christ’s Kingdom is the church.
13 He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love,
God’s kingdom includes all the redeemed from all of time.
Currently the church is the visible part of God’s Kingdom.
The church is special!
It is the bride of Christ.
It is the body of Christ.