The Church
The Church [1]
Definition of the Church . The New Testament word for "church" is ekklesia [ Acts 19:32,39,41 ).
The most important background of the term ekklesia [Ἐκκλησία] is the Septuagint, which uses the word in a religious sense about one hundred times, almost always as a translation of the Hebrew word qahal [קָהַל]. While the latter term does indicate a secular gathering (contrasted, say to eda [עֵדָה], the typical Hebrew word for Israel's religious gathering, and translated by the Greek, sunagoge [Συναγωγή]), it also denotes Israel's sacred meetings. This is especially the case in Deuteronomy, where qahal [קָהַל] is linked with the covenant.
When we come to the New Testament, we discover that ekklesia [ Matthew 16:18; 18:17 ), it is of special importance in Acts (23 times) and the Pauline writings (46 times). It is found twenty times in Revelation and only in isolated instances in James and Hebrews. We may broach the subject of the biblical teaching on the church by drawing three general conclusions from the data so far. First, predominantly ekklesia [ Acts 8:3; 9:31; 1 Corinthians 12:28; 15:9; especially in the later Pauline letters, Ephesians 1:22-23; Colossians 1:18 ). Third, the ekklesia [ 1 Corinthians 1:2; 2 Corinthians 1:1; etc.).
The Nature of the Church . The nature of the church is too broad to be exhausted in the meaning of the one word, ekklesia [Ἐκκλησία]. To capture its significance the New Testament authors utilize a rich array of metaphorical descriptions. Nevertheless, there are those metaphors that seem to dominate the biblical picture of the church, five of which call for comment: the people of God, the kingdom of God, the temple of God, the bride of Christ, and the body of Christ.
The People of God . Essentially, the concept of the people of God can be summed up in the covenantal phrase: "I will be their God and they will be my people" (see Exodus 6:6-7; 19:5; Leviticus 26:9-14; Jeremiah 7:23; 30:22; 32:37-40; Ezekiel 11:19-20; 36:22-28; Acts 15:14; 2 Corinthians 6:16; Hebrews 8:10-12; Revelation 21:3; etc.).Thus, the people of God are those in both the Old and New Testament eras who responded to God by faith, and whose spiritual origin rests exclusively in God's grace.
To speak of the one people of God transcending the eras of the Old and New Testaments necessarily raises the question of the relationship between the church and Israel. Modern theologies prefer not to polarize the matter into an either/or issue. Rather, they talk about the church and Israel in terms of there being both continuity and discontinuity between them.
Continuity between the Church and Israel . Two ideas establish the fact that the church and Israel are portrayed in the Bible as being in a continuous relationship. First, the church was present in some sense in Israel in the Old Testament. Acts 7:38 makes this connection explicit when, alluding to Deuteronomy 9:10 , it speaks of the church ( ekklesia [ Exodus 25:40; Acts 7:44; Galatians 4:26; Hebrews 12:22; Revelation 21:11; cf. Ephesians 1:3-14; etc.).
Second, Israel in some sense is present in the church in the New Testament. The many names for Israel applied to the church establish that fact. Some of those are: "Israel" ( Galatians 6:15-16; Ephesians 2:12; Hebrews 8:8-10; Revelation 2:14; etc.); "a chosen people" ( 1 Peter 2:9 ); "the true circumcision" ( Romans 2:28-29; Philippians 3:3; Colossians 2:11; etc.); "Abraham's seed" ( Romans 4:16; Galatians 3:29 ); "the remnant" ( Romans 9:27; 11:5-7 ); "the elect" ( Romans 11:28; Ephesians 1:4 ); "the flock" ( Acts 20:28; Hebrews 13:20; 1 Peter 5:2 ); "priesthood" ( 1 Peter 2:9; Revelation 1:6; 5:10 ).
Discontinuity between the Church and Israel . The church, however, is not coterminous with Israel; discontinuity also characterizes the relationship. The church, according to the New Testament, is the eschatological Israel incorporated in Jesus Messiah and, as such, is a progression beyond historical Israel ( 1 Corinthians 10:11; 2 Corinthians 5:14-21; etc.). What was promised to Israel has now been fulfilled in the church, in Christ, especially the Spirit and the new covenant (cf. Ezekiel 36:25-27; Joel 2:28-29; with Acts 2; 2 Corinthians 3; Romans 8; etc.). However, a caveat must be issued at this point. Although the church is a progression beyond Israel, it is not the permanent replacement of Israel (see Romans 9-11 , esp. Romans 11:25-27 ).
The Kingdom of God . Many scholars in this century have maintained that the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus inaugurated the kingdom of God, producing an overlapping of the two ages. The kingdom has "already" dawned, but is "not yet" complete. The first aspect pertains to Jesus' first coming and the second aspect relates to his second coming. In other words, the age to come has broken into this age and now the two exist simultaneously. This background is crucial in ascertaining the relationship between the church and the kingdom of God, because the church also exists in the tension that results from the overlapping of the two ages. Accordingly, one may define the church as the proleptic appearance of the kingdom. Two ideas flow from this definition: (1) the church is related to the kingdom of God; (2) but the church is not equal to the kingdom of God.
The Church and the Kingdom of God Are Related . The historical Jesus did not found or organize the church. Not until after his resurrection does the New Testament speak with regularity about the church. However, there are adumbrations of the church in the teaching and ministry of Jesus, in both general and specific ways. In general, Jesus anticipated the later official formation of the church in that he gathered to himself twelve disciples, who constituted the beginnings of eschatological Israel, in effect, the remnant. More specifically, Jesus explicitly referred to the church in two passages: Matthew 16:18-19,18:17 . In the first passage, Jesus promised that he would build his church despite satanic opposition, thus assuring the ultimate success of his mission. The notion of the church overcoming the forces of evil coincides with the idea that the kingdom of God will prevail over its enemies, and bespeaks of the intimate association between church and kingdom. The second passage relates to the future organization of the church, particularly its method of discipline, not unlike the Jewish synagogue practices of Jesus' day.
The Church and the Kingdom of God Are Not Identified . As intimately related as the church and the kingdom of God are, the New Testament does not equate the two, as is evident in the fact that the early Christians preached the kingdom, not the church ( Acts 8:12; 19:8; 20:25; 28:23,31 ). The New Testament identifies the church as the people of the kingdom ( Revelation 5:10; etc.), not the kingdom itself. Moreover, the church is the instrument of the kingdom. This is especially clear from Matthew 16:18-19 , where the preaching of Peter and the church become the keys to opening up the kingdom of God to all who would enter.
The Eschatological Temple of God . Both the Old Testament and Judaism anticipated the rebuilding of the temple in the future kingdom of God (ez 40-48 Haggai 2:1-9; 1 Enoch 90:29; 91:3; Jub 1:17,29; etc.). Jesus hinted that he was going to build such a construction ( Matthew 16:18; Mark 14:58; John 2:19-22 ). Pentecost witnessed to the beginning of the fulfillment of that dream in that when the Spirit inhabited the church, the eschatological temple was formed ( Acts 2:16-36 ). Other New Testament writers also perceived that the presence of the Spirit in the Christian community constituted the new temple of God (see 1 Corinthians 3:16-17; 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1; Ephesians 2:19-22; cf. also Galatians 4:21-31; 1 Peter 2:4-10 ). However, that the eschatological temple is not yet complete is evident in the preceding passages, especially with their emphasis on the need for the church to grow toward maturity in Christ, which will only be fully accomplished at the parousia. In the meantime, Christians, as priests of God, are to perform their sacrificial service to the glory of God ( Romans 12:1-2; Hebrews 13:15; 1 Peter 2:4-10 ).
The Bride . The image of marriage is applied to God and Israel in the Old Testament (see Isaiah 54:5-6; 62:5; Hosea 2:7; etc.). Similar imagery is applied to Christ and the church in the New Testament. Christ, the bridegroom, has sacrificially and lovingly chosen the church to be his bride ( Ephesians 5:25-27 ). Her responsibility during the betrothal period is to be faithful to him ( 2 Corinthians 11:2; Ephesians 5:24 ). At the parousia, the official wedding ceremony will take place and, with it, the eternal union of Christ and his wife will be actualized ( Revelation 19:7-9; 21:1-2 ).
The Body of Christ . The body of Christ as a metaphor for the church is unique to the Pauline literature and constitutes one of the most significant concepts therein ( Romans 12:4-5; 1 Corinthians 12:12-27; Ephesians 4:7-16; Colossians 1:18 ). The primary purpose of the metaphor is to demonstrate the interrelatedness of diversity and unity within the church, especially with reference to spiritual gifts. The body of Christ is the last Adam ( 1 Corinthians 15:45 ), the new humanity of the endtime that has appeared in history. However, Paul's usage of the image, like the metaphor of the new temple, indicates that the church, as the body of Christ, still has a long way to go spiritually. It is "not yet" complete.
The Sacraments of the Church . At the heart of the expression of the church's faith are the sacraments of baptism and the Lord's Supper. The former symbolizes entrance into the church while the latter provides spiritual sustenance for the church.
Baptism . Baptism symbolizes the sinner's entrance into the church. Three observations emerge from the biblical treatment of this sacrament. First, the Old Testament intimated baptism, especially in its association of repentance of sin with ablutions ( Numbers 19:18-22; Psalm 51:7; Ezekiel 36:25; cf. John 3:5 ). Second, the baptism of John anticipated Christian baptism. John administered a baptism of repentance in expectation of the baptism of the Spirit and fire that the Messiah would exercise ( Matthew 3:11 /Luke 3:11/ 3:16 ). Those who accept Jesus as Messiah experience the baptism of fire and judgment. Third, the early church practiced baptism, in imitation of the Lord Jesus ( Matthew 3:13-17 /Mark 3:13-17/ 1:9-11 /Luke 1:9-11/ 3:21-22; see also John 1:32-34; cf. Matthew 28:19; Acts 2:38; 8:16; Romans 6:3-6; 1 Corinthians 1:13-15; Galatians 3:27; Titus 3:5; 1 Peter 3:21; etc.). These passages demonstrate some further truths about baptism: (1) baptism is intimately related to faith in God; (2) baptism identifies the person with the death and resurrection of Jesus; (3) baptism incorporates the person into the community of believers.
The Lord's Supper. The other biblical sacrament is the Lord's Supper, variously called "communion" ( 1 Corinthians 10:16 ), "eucharist" (the prayer of thanks offered before partaking of the elements Matthew 26:27; 1 Corinthians 11:24 ), and the "breaking of the bread" ( Acts 2:42; 20:7 ). This rite symbolizes Christ's spiritual nourishment of his church as it celebrates the sacred meal. Two basic points emerge from the biblical data concerning the Lord's Supper. First, it was instituted by Christ ( Matthew 26:26-29; Mark 14:22-25; Luke 22:15-20; 1 Corinthians 11:23-25 ). According to these passages, Jesus celebrated the Passover on the night before his betrayal. That commemorative meal would probably have included the following: the cup of wine, calling "blessing"; the four questions of the child concerning the nature of Passover; the second cup, called "deliverance"; the singing of the first part of the Hallel ( Psalm 113-14 ); the Passover meal; the third cup, called "redemption"; the eating of the dessert; the fourth cup, called the "Elijah cup"; the singing of the second part of the Hallel ( Psalm 115-18 ). Jesus introduced two changes into the Passover seder. He equated his body with the bread of affliction and his blood, which was to be shed on the cross, with the cup of redemption.
Second, the early church practiced the Lord's Supper ( Acts 2:42,46; 1 Corinthians 11:23; etc.), probably weekly, in conjunction with the agape [ 1 Corinthians 11:18-22; cf. Jude 12 ). A twofold meaning is attached to the Lord's Supper by the New Testament authors. First, it involves participation in Christ's salvation-believers are to "do this in remembrance of me" ( Luke 22:19; 1 Corinthians 11:24-25 ). A couple aspects of this celebration call for comment. (1) Historically, the Lord's Supper was a rite commemorating Christ's redemptive death, even as the Passover was a remembrance of God's deliverance of Israel from Egyptian slavery ( Exodus 12:14; 13:3,9; Deuteronomy 16:3 ). In remembering Christ's death, believers actualize its effects in the present. (2) Eschatologically, the Lord's Supper anticipates Christ's return ( Matthew 26:29; Mark 14:25; Luke 22:16,18; 1 Corinthians 11:26 ) and, with it, the heavenly messianic banquet of the kingdom of God ( Matthew 22:2-14; Luke 14:24; Revelation 19:9 ).
Second, the Lord's Supper involves identification with the body of Christ, the community of faith. Two aspects of this reality are touched upon in the New Testament, one positive, the other negative. Positively, the Lord's Supper symbolizes the unity and fellowship of Christians in the one body of Christ ( 1 Corinthians 10:16-17 ). Negatively, to fail to recognize the church as the body of Christ by dividing it is to participate in the Lord's Supper unworthily and thereby to incur divine judgment ( 1 Corinthians 11:27-33 ).
The Worship of the Church . The ultimate purpose of the church is to worship God through Christ. The early church certainly recognized this to be its reason for existence ( Ephesians 1:4-6; 1 Peter 2:5,9; Revelation 21:1-22:5; etc.). Five aspects of the New Testament church's worship can be delineated: the meaning of worship; the time and place of worship; the nature of worship; the order of worship; the expressions of worship.
The Meaning of Worship . Although the Bible nowhere provides a definition of worship, one is left with the general impression therein that to worship God is to ascribe to him the supreme worth that he alone deserves.
The Time and Place of Worship . Although many Jewish Christians probably continued to worship God on the Sabbath, the established time for the church's worship came to be Sunday, the first day of the week ( Acts 20:7 ), because Christ had risen from the dead on that day ( Revelation 1:10 ). With regard to the locale, the early church began its worship in the Jerusalem temple ( Acts 2:46; 3:1; 5:42 ), as well as in the synagogues ( Acts 22:19; cf. John 9:22; James 2:2; etc.). At the same time, believers met in homes for worship ( Acts 1:13; 2:46; 5:42 ). When Christianity and Judaism became more and more incompatible, the house-church became the established place of worship ( Romans 16:15; Colossians 4:15; Philippians 2; 2 John 10; 3 John 1,6; etc.). The use of a specific church building did not occur until the late second century.
The Nature of Worship . The biblical teaching on the worship of the church involves three components, which are rooted in the Trinity. First, worship is directed toward God; God the Father is the central object of worship, both as creator ( Acts 17:28; James 1:17; Revelation 4:11; etc.) and redeemer ( Ephesians 1:3; Colossians 1:12-13; 1 Peter 1:3; Revelation 5:9-14; etc.). Second, worship is mediated through Christ, the Son ( Matthew 18:20; Romans 5:2; Ephesians 1:6; 1 Timothy 2:5; Hebrews 4:14-5:10; 10:20; etc.). Third, worship is actualized by the power of the Holy Spirit ( Romans 2:28-29; 8:26-27; Ephesians 2:18; Philippians 3:3; Jude 20; etc.).
The Order of Worship . Both the language and the order of the early church's worship were rooted in Judaism. With regard to the former, the church utilized Old Testament terms like "high priest" (applied to Jesus, Hebrews 4:12-16 ), "priests" (applied to christians, 1 Peter 2:5-9 ), "sacrifice" (applied to Christ's death on the cross, Hebrews 9:23-28; 10:11 ), and "temple" (applied to the church, 1 Corinthians 3:16; 6:19 ). With regard to the order of worship, the early church incorporated into its worship the main elements of the synagogue service: praise in prayer ( Acts 2:42,47; 3:1; 1 Thessalonians 1:2; 5:17; 1 Timothy 2:1-2; etc.) and in song ( 1 Corinthians 14:26; Philippians 2:6-11; Colossians 1:15-20; 1 Timothy 3:16; Revelation 5:9-10; etc.); the expounding of the Scripture ( Acts 2:42; 6:4; Colossians 4:16; 1 Thessalonians 2:13; 1 Timothy 4:13; etc.); and almsgiving to the needy ( Acts 2:44-45; 1 Corinthians 16:1-2; 2 Corinthians 8-9 James 2:15-17; etc.).
Expressions of Worship . The main ingredient of worship in the Bible is sacrifice. David put it well: "I will not sacrifice to the Lord my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing" ( 1 Samuel 24:24 ). In the New Testament, there are three main expressions connected with the worship of the early church, each of which is based on sacrifice: the sacrifice of one's body to God ( Romans 12:1-2; cf. Romans 15:16; Philippians 1:20; 2:17; 2 Timothy 4:6 ); the sacrifice of one's possession for God ( Matthew 6:2; Luke 6:38; 2 Corinthians 8-9 1 Timothy 6:10; etc.); and the sacrifice of one's praise to God ( Acts 16:25; 1 Corinthians 14:26; Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16; Hebrews 13:16; James 5:13; etc.).
The Service and Organization of the Church . We conclude the topic of the biblical teaching on the church by briefly calling attention to its service and organization. Five observations emerge from the relevant data. First, the ministry of the church centers on its usage of spiritual gifts ( charismata ), which are given to believers by God's grace and for his glory, as well as for the good of others ( Romans 12:3; Ephesians 4:7-16; etc.). Second, every believer possesses a gift of the Spirit ( 1 Corinthians 12:7; Ephesians 4:7; etc.). Third, it is through the diversity of the gifts that the body of Christ matures and is unified ( Romans 12:4; 1 Corinthians 12:12-31; Ephesians 4:17-18 ). Fourth, although there was organized leadership in the New Testament church (elders, 1 Timothy 3:1-7; [also called pastors and shepherds, see Acts 20:17,28; 1 Peter 5:1-4; etc.] and deacons, 1 Timothy 3:8-13 ), there does not seem to have been a gap between the "clergy" and "laity." Rather, those with the gift of leadership are called to equip all the saints for the work of the ministry ( Ephesians 4:7-16 ). Fifth, spiritual gifts are to be exercised in love ( 1 Corinthians 13 ).
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