The Greek word most frequently translated “Church” in the New Testament is “Ecclesia”. The Latin equivalent of this is “Ex-Calleo” meaning to “Call Out”. So a church is a company of people who have been called by God, out of the world system and into relationship and the simplest definition of a church can be “ A company of like minded believers who meet together in Christ’s name, to worship God, to edify one another and to Endeavour to bring others into the kingdom of God”.
Perhaps the most extended image of he church is it’s representation as the body of Christ. Louis Berkhof the author of the book “ Systematic Theology” says that “ some apparently regard this image as virtually a complete definition of the church. This image emphasizes that the church is the locus of Christ’s activity now just as was his physical body during his earthly ministry. The image is used both of the church universal and of individual local congregations. Ephesians 1:22-23 “ And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way”. Paul statement to the Corinthians in 1 Corinthians 12:27 “ Now you are the body of Christ and each one of you is a part”
Christ is the head of this body. ( Colossians1:18). As the head of the body, he also rules the Church. He is the head over every power and authority. Christ is the Lord of the church. The image of the body also speaks of the interconnectedness between all the person’s who make up the church. The body is to be characterized by genuine fellowship. The body of Christ, the church is the extension of his ministry.
4 comments:
Hi Jason. You seem to be implying that the most important aspect of the body is genuine fellowship. What is genuine fellowship? How does the understanding and practice of genuine fellowship help the church depict the image of 'the Body of Christ'? Thanks in advance for your thoughts...
Haha.. typical text book answer...
Few questions here... How about the Old Testament? Isn't God called the Israelites out of Egypt into the promise land? Does that consider as Church as well?
Secondly, as you mention that as long as there is genuine fellowship among Christian, it is the Church. Can we consider Christian Fellowship as Church then?
Thirdly, today many churches called themselves as Cell Church. In the Cell Church concept, cell group is the Church. In your findings of Biblical Understanding of the Church, does the Cell Group qualify as a Church?
Thanks ya...
Hi I want to gather your thoughts on two parts of what you said:
seems the leadership of the chruch these days assumed the role of leading the chruch and just acknowledge God being there? its like the ruling of the country by the premier and the royalty just being... Royalty? why is there a place of human government in the chruch can't we look purely to God? isn't this structure exatcly what Martin Luther fought against and now it is being seen in the Protestant Churches?
Secondly the term chruch being 'call out' i thought it should also mean the church needs to call out to the people around to lead them into a life with Christ. Isn't there the Great Commision? Then we defeat what Jesus said in His Great Commission. there seems to be something that doesn't connect from what we define as chruch and what we were called to do...
What are your thoughts?
Hi Jason, in your view, do you think ingenuity in fellowship exist within the Church, and if it does, what setback it poses on genuine fellowship that the members of the Body are called to exhibit? Please comment. Thanks..
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