THEOLOGY : XIV.
Church
In the New
Testament, the word “church” usually refers to a local congregation of
believers. It also refers to the Body of Christ, which includes all believers
from all times. The organized church is not the same as the true church. The
organized church includes both true believers and those who only profess to
believe in Christ. The true church is the Body of Christ. Christ, in the person
of the Holy Spirit, indwells believers, giving them power to perform the
functions of the church. Each believer has a purpose within the Body of Christ.
All believers should work together to expedite the work of the church (see 1
Cor. 12:13-27). Christ is the head of the Body (see Col. 1:18). Christ, the
head of the church, is compared to a husband, the head of a marriage
relationship (see Ephesians 5:25,32). So we think of the church as the Bride of
Christ. Jesus commanded that the church observe two ordinances—baptism and
communion. Those who place their faith in Christ should be baptized by
immersion. Believers should be baptized soon after they profess faith in Jesus.
For more information on baptism, see “Worship through Baptism” in the training
module entitled “Pastoral Ministry.”
Communion or
“Holy Communion” has been interpreted three ways: the Roman Catholic teaching
of transubstantiation, the Lutheran teaching of consubstantiation, and the
Reformed teaching of symbolic commemoration. The Roman Church holds that the
elements (bread and cup) are literally transubstantiated into the body and
blood of Christ, and as a sacrament, have the intrinsic value of receiving
Christ.
The Lutheran doctrine of consubstantiation says that the elements do
not change into the body and blood of Christ; rather, the presence of Christ is
in, under, and with the elements. We adhere to symbolic commemoration—believing
that the elements are symbolic of the body and blood of Christ, and that
communion is observed as a memorial to Christ’s death. When Jesus referred to
the elements as his body and blood, he was using this as a metaphor for his
Spirit and his words (see John 6:51-56,61-63). When we take the bread and cup,
we are not literally taking the body and blood of Christ, for “the flesh counts
for nothing” (John 6:63). Instead, we believe in the words of Christ, and are
saved because of his Holy Spirit living within us. For more information on
communion, see “Worship through Communion” in the training module entitled
“Pastoral Ministry.”
The church was
established when the Holy Spirit indwelled believers on the Day of Pentecost
(see Acts 2:1-4). The Acts of the Apostles gives a history of the church during
the first century. Church doctrine is largely based on the Epistles of Paul.
The foundation of the church is Christ (see 1 Cor. 3:11). Peter was a leader in
the first church, but the church is built on Christ, not on Peter. Let us examine
the wording of a key verse related to the leadership of the church. 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. (Matt. 16:18 NIV) Christ referred to Simon as
“Peter,” or “Petros” in Greek, meaning “a piece of rock” or “a little rock.” The
word “rock” in Matthew 16:18 is “ Petra” in Greek, meaning “a large rock.” So
the meaning of the verse is this: “You are Peter—a little rock, and on this big
rock (Christ), I will build my church.”
It is interesting that
Peter later quoted Isaiah in saying that Christ is the cornerstone and that
people should trust in Christ (see 1 Peter 2:6). Christ commissioned the church
to go and make disciples (see Matt. 28:18-20). A summary of the purposes of the
church is given in the training module, “Church Leadership and Administration.”
The officers of the church are pastors, elders, and deacons. The office of
pastor is described in the training module, “Pastoral Ministry,” and the
offices of elders and deacons are described in the training module “Church
Leadership and Administration.” Every believer should be an active member of a
local church. The Bible teaches Christians to meet together to encourage each
other. 24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and
good deeds. 25Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of
doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day
approaching. (Hebrews 10:24,25 NIV) (For details and for free course visit <www.missionstraining.org>)
