ECCLESIOLOGY - The doctrine of the Church

We are converted as individuals, but function as a body – The Church. We must love God (vertical) and love our brothers/sisters (horizontal).

OT word that described the congregation Israel is the Hebrew word  (qahal).

Two Greek words that describe the Church are ekklesia (church or congregation), and synagog (as in Jewish synagogue or assembly).

The word used for the Universal Church is: katholikos; means general or universal. This is where we get the English word Catholic.

Jesus referred to His Church as a body, a household, and a temple.

The Church in relation to Israel – the church and Israel are distinct. But there are four possible views on this relationship:

1.       Unification view – argues the church and Israel are essentially identical

2.       Suppression view – argues the church is not Israel but has replaced or superceded it

3.       Distinction view – holds the view Israel and the church are two separate entities

4.       Revisionist or parallel covenants view – states that Israel and the Church have received two side by side covenants by which to relate to God

Believing Jews and Gentile are no longer two people but one in Christ (Gal 3:28). All believers comprise the Body of Christ.

Water baptism was similar to the rite of circumcision in the OT. Males that were circumcised physically signified they were part of the Israelite covenant community. In like manner, those professing to be genuine believers should be water baptized identifying with the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

9.3.4 The purpose of the churches:

1.       Mutual edification

2.       Carrying the gospel

3.       Purpose of worshipping God

Marks of pure and holy yet imperfect Church – certain elements must be present and consistent in a healthy church:

a.       Absolutely strong biblical teaching

b.      Those who professed Christ and exercise the faith by good works signifying their faith is real as James 2 declares

c.       Love for all the Saints (Eph 1; I John 2: 9-10; 3:10-20; 4: 7-5:1)

d.      Obedience to God commands. This is the only  way we can prove we love God

e.      Exercise of church discipline for sinning church members so as to maintain its purity (I Cor 5)

f.        Refutation of false doctrine and teachers

Ordinances in the Church – the two ordinances in the church that have stirred no small amount of controversy in church history are Baptism and the Lord’s Supper (Communion, Mass if you’re Catholic).

Some in the post apostolic church believed that regeneration could be achieved with water baptism and genuine saving faith would be exhibited by keeping these sacraments (greek word sacramentum). It was a faith plus works salvation.

Tertullian said, “Without these sacraments salvation is attainable by none.” That is how sacred many held these ordinances; to the point that they believed salvation could never be obtained.

The Roman Catholic Church took sacramentalism to another level. They instituted the following sacraments had to be observed in order to receive grace. They are:

a

.       Baptism

b.      Confirmation

c.       Penance

d.      Eucharist

e.      Holy orders

f.        Matrimony

g.       Extreme function

Since the Roman Church controlled these ordinances, they were the ones that ultimately determined a member’s salvation.

 Jesus is the agent of baptism using the element of baptism which is His Holy Spirit. Jesus in essence baptizes us unto himself by the Spirit of God. This is what the water immersion ceremony signifies. The water is a symbol of the Spirit in baptism.

John’s baptism versus Messianic baptism
John’s	Messiah’s
With water	With Spirit
Preparation for judgment	Arrival of judgment
For repentance
By a less powerful servant of God	By the perfect servant of God

                .