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Chapter Two
In chapter 1, we learned that the kingdom of God is an extensive realm where God reigns. Those who do not believe do not belong to the kingdom but still come under God’s rule. It is the prime entity to which Christians belong to. The kingdom of God is like a giant circle encompassing everything. All other entities like Christian groups, denominations, and churches come under Christ, the King of kings and Lord of lords who is the ruler in His kingdom.
We will now study the constituent entities and how we can as Christians relate and serve in these different entities.
The Body of Christ
The Body of Christ is made up of all individuals who have believed in Jesus as their Saviour and Lord in times past and present, dead or alive.
The Church described:
In Ephesians 5:23, how is the Church described?
What is Christ’s position in the Church?
How did Christ obtain the Church? (Acts 20:28)
What does Romans 12:4-5 teach about believers relating in the Body?
‘The body of Christ is a mystical but real union. It is a living organism, composed not of cells but of human beings. Christ is the head of this living organism, and each believer is linked to Him and to one another within it. …the church is not like a body; it is a body’
—Lawrence Richards, Expository Dictionary of Bible Words
Each believer has important responsibilities in the Body. In 1 Corinthians 12:14-27:
Who gives members their various positions? (1 Corinthians 12:18)
Are there unnecessary functions or members in the Body? (1 Corinthians 12:20-22)
Because we are spiritually linked to other members of the Body, how does one member’s situation affect others? (1 Corinthians 12:26)
The Universal Church
Another term for the Body of Christ is the Universal Church. It is universal in the sense that it consists of believers who come from all races, cultures and nations.
Although the term ‘Universal Church’ is not used in the Bible, the sense of the Universal Church is conveyed when the word ‘church’ is used in the singular. For example, Jesus said, ‘And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.’ (Matthew 16:18). Also, in Acts 9:31 ‘Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace and was strengthened. Living in the fear of the Lord and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it increased in numbers.’ This again is in the singular and used collectively of all believers everywhere. In Ephesians 5:23-32, Paul uses the word ‘church’ 6 times to refer to the whole Body of Christ, that is, the Universal Church. The Church is a perfect spiritual Body functioning in harmony and unity, responding to the leadership of Christ the Head who feeds and cares for her in love.
The Local Church
The local church is a group of believers gathering in a certain place for worship and other spiritual activities. The word for church in the Greek is ‘ekklesia’, a called-out assembly. The church is NOT a building but the gathering of God’s people for worship and community. We do not go to church; we are the church.
What is God’s desire for the local church? (1 Corinthians 1:10)
What kinds of activities did local churches engage in when they met?
Acts 2:42
Colossians 3:16
Hebrews 10:24-25
1 Corinthians 16:1-2
1 Corinthians 14:26-28, 40
What places did the early churches use for their worship and ministry in the following passages?
Acts 2:42-47
Acts 19:9-10
Romans 16:3; 1 Corinthians 16:19; Colossians 4:15
What name did the early believers use to identify themselves as distinct from the Jewish and Greek religious groups? (Acts 9:2; Acts 19:9, 23; 22:4; 24:14, 22)
NOTE These references show that this identity was used over a period of at least 25 years located in places from Jerusalem to Greek cities.
Believers met together in various places. Where did they meet and for what purpose(s)?
In Jerusalem, what two places were used for worship? (Acts 2:46-47)
In Ephesus, what place did Paul use every day for two years? (Acts 19:9, 10)
In Rome, where did some believers meet? (Romans 16:5)
In concluding this section, it is important to note that ‘ekklesia’ (assembly) has many shapes and forms. It may be as small as two or three (Matthew 18:20) or in the thousands (Acts 2:41, 4:4).
In addition, we should understand that church is not only on days Christians gather for worship (usually Sundays or whenever it gathers for events). If the church as Christ’s body exists, where is it on Mondays to Saturdays when it is not gathered? It exists as the church dispersed into homes, neighbourhoods, offices, factories, fields, etc.
In this regard, the following statement from the Lausanne Occasional Papers is pertinent:
Second, church refers both to any particular group of believers gathered for worship, for celebration of the sacraments, or for Christian formation, as well as individuals and groups of Christians “at large” in their communities and societies — whether at work, in service, or perhaps especially as citizens and neighbours. Church in both these senses refers to the local church, but turns on the distinction of the gathered, worshiping church (on Sunday morning) and what is sometimes referred to as the church in the marketplace (the rest of the week).
—Lausanne Occasional Paper #30, “Globalisation and the Gospel: Re-thinking Mission in the Contemporary World”, Lausanne 2004
Church Leadership
What were church leaders called?
1 Peter 5:3-4 uses a generic term for church leaders to indicate their role. What was it?
Who are shepherds modelled after? (1 Peter 5:4)
The term ‘shepherd’ (poimen) is also translated as ‘pastor’ in Ephesians 4:11. In this verse, what were other church leaders called?
NOTE These official church positions of authority indicate that church leaders functioned according to their spiritual gifts. Today, the typical church leader is simply called ‘pastor’, but he may function in any of these offices.
Other Terms Used for Church Leaders:
In 1 Timothy 3:1,2 and Titus 1:7, what is another term used for church leaders?
In Acts 14:23, Acts 20:17, 1 Timothy 5:17, Titus 1:5, 1 Peter 5:1, what leadership role is identified?
What two terms for church leaders are used interchangeably in Titus 1:5 and Titus 1:7?
What are some of the qualifications to be an elder in 1 Timothy 3:1-7?
In 1 Timothy 3:8, what is another term for a church leader?
In 1 Timothy 5:17-20, what are some of their ministry duties/roles? How are they to be treated? Are they all volunteers or are some paid for their work?
Considerations in Choosing a Home Church
How does one go about deciding on a home church? No doubt you will talk things over with friends who are helping you spiritually. You might need several visits before you are able to answer some of the following factors.
Check the factors you are able to answer:
Relating to the Local Church — No matter what church we may attend or choose to join, the Bible gives some important guidelines in relating within a fellowship:
What responsibility should members have? (Hebrews 10:24-25)
How should members treat church leaders? (Hebrews 13:17)
Are you able to share your resources with others in need? (1 Corinthians 16:1-2)
What does Romans 12:4-8 encourage you to contribute to the church?
What attitudes should members have towards others in the body? (Ephesians 4:3-4)
Application
Review the contents of this chapter and answer: Are you a regular member of a community of Christians? If not, what is hindering you? What steps will you take? If you are, describe some ways you have grown from being in this community.
Write your reflections on being part of a Christian community.
Glossary of leadership roles and offices in some churches
If you are new to a church, you might not know what some of the offices or ordained positions of authority might mean. Here are some of the common ones:
Pastor — From Latin for shepherd; one who spiritually feeds, leads, and protects God’s flock.
Shepherd — From the Greek poimēn for shepherd. This term is similar in function with pastor.
Today, ‘pastor’ is used to describe the ordained role while ‘shepherd’ describes the role of caring, feeding and leading.
Elder / Presbyter — From the Greek presbyteros, meaning a mature spiritual leader entrusted with teaching, governing, and pastoral care in the local church.
Overseer — From the Greek episkopos (episcopal), one who oversees a church or group. The use of the word suggests a leadership function of watching over a congregation.
Bishop — From the Greek episkopos (same as overseer). In post biblical times, used in some churches for an overseer in charge of multiple congregations or a denomination.
Deacon — From the Greek diakonos meaning a servant, or minister who serves the physical and logistical needs of the church, allowing elders to focus on prayer and teaching.
NOTE The qualities required for a deacon in the New Testament are similar to that of elders but they generally possess lesser experience or maturity compared to elders (see 1 Timothy 3:1-13).