Ep. 17 - The Church
Episode Description
What is the church? Is it a denomination? A building? A Sunday gathering? Many are fleeing the local church today -- and yet many who stay have never stopped to ask what the church actually is, what it is for, and what God has called them to participate in as a member of it. Few questions are more foundational for the Christian life.
In this episode, Pastor Josh lays the doctrinal foundation for a multi-episode series on the church. He distinguishes the universal church -- the body of Christ, comprised of every believer across history and geography who has trusted in the gospel -- from the local church, the visible expression of that body gathered in a specific place. He examines how a person enters the body of Christ (by Spirit baptism, not water), what the church is for (the pillar and ground of the truth, the ambassador of reconciliation, the equipping of the saints), and how unity and diversity work together within the body. Every member has a role. No member is insignificant. And the gathering together of the local church is not optional -- it is the practical living out of an eternal identity.
Key Scriptures
1 Corinthians 12:12-13 -- One Body, Many Members
For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
1 Corinthians 1:2 -- The Church of God Which Is at Corinth
Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours.
1 Corinthians 4:17 -- My Ways Which Be in Christ, as I Teach in Every Church
For this cause have I sent unto you Timotheus, who is my beloved son and faithful in the Lord, who shall bring you into remembrance of my ways which be in Christ, as I teach every where in every church.
Ephesians 1:22-23 -- The Fulness of Him That Filleth All in All
And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.
Romans 12:4-5 -- Many Members in One Body
For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.
1 Timothy 3:15 -- The Pillar and Ground of the Truth
But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.
2 Corinthians 5:18-20 -- Ambassadors for Christ
And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.
Ephesians 4:11-12 -- Equipping the Saints for the Work of the Ministry
And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.
Ephesians 4:15-16 -- Speaking the Truth in Love
But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.
Hebrews 10:24-25 -- Not Forsaking the Assembling Together
And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
Episode Outline
What Is the Church? -- Not a building, not a denomination, but God’s people in Christ
Two Senses in Scripture -- Universal and local
The Universal Church -- The body of Christ, across history and geography
The Local Church -- The visible expression of the body gathered in a specific place
How You Enter the Body of Christ -- Spirit baptism at the moment of faith in the gospel
How You Enter the Local Church -- No extra mandates beyond faith in Christ
The Purpose of the Church -- The pillar and ground of the truth (1 Timothy 3:15)
Ambassadors for Christ -- Entrusted with the word and ministry of reconciliation
Equipping the Saints -- Leaders equip; every member participates in the work of the ministry
Unity and Diversity -- One body, many members, each with a God-given role
Diversity That Produces Growth -- Every joint supplies; no member is insignificant
Do Not Forsake the Assembling -- Hebrews 10:24-25 and gathering for the better
Live in Both Realities -- Eternally part of the body, practically part of a local church
Questions Discussed
What is the church -- is it a denomination, a building, or something else entirely?
What is the difference between the universal church and the local church?
How does a person enter the body of Christ?
Should there be extra requirements beyond faith in Christ to be part of a local church?
What is the purpose God has given the church today?
How are unity and diversity meant to work together in the body of Christ?
Is your role in the local church significant -- even if it does not feel like it?
If you are a believer, are you living out your eternal identity practically in a local church?
