Ecclesiology

The church can be simplified into four main areas: the family of God, under the authority of God, living out the Word of God, on the mission for God.[1] A proper understanding of preaching and the ordinances are to be understood as well. As an “ecclesia” or “called out assembly,” the church is to be understood as the body of Christ. It is the people that are composed together to form the church as a “Christian community of members.”[2]

The family aspect of the church is found as a local group of Christ followers that live life together, in community and fellowship (Acts 2), and loving others as Jesus has commanded (Jn. 13:34). Ephesians 2:19 teaches that Christians are now united in fellowship with each other, especially here as connected with believers from all ages. It was through the Holy Spirit’s guidance of the apostles and prophets that the church was founded; therefore, they serve as the foundation on which Christ the cornerstone had established through God’s revealed plan through the ages. The teachings of Christ, as the sermons were preached throughout Acts and the later ages has produced a devotion to the church living out the Word of God. The Word of God is the first of two main fundamentals that constitute a true church. When the people hear a clear word from the Word of God, they will respond when receiving the Word about God. A correct understanding of God outlines a clear pathway of understanding God’s command to take His Word to all ends of the earth. The church continues to grow and change as more people are welcomed into the family of God by way of the mission of God (Great Commission and disciple making) being fulfilled throughout the church. The 2 Timothy 2:2 principle of making disciples is viewed here as the main objective in preaching the Word of God. Christ indwells His church through the person of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38). It is then the assignment of the New Testament Church to take the preaching of God’s Word and be self-propagating in starting other churches to reach more for the gospel.

Second, the authority of God is considered in the family of God being Father-led, Jesus-pastored, and Spirit-empowered.[3] God calls those of which He chooses to lead in His church through an inward calling and outward calling that is confirmed. These individuals are to teach, lead, and correct within the local assembly. Jesus gained Lordship over creation with His obedience to His Father’s commands. The church is both the “body” and “fullness of Him who fills” (with blessings) as Christ fills the church with Himself. As Christ will be head over all things in the future, He is now head over the church (Eph. 1:22-23). Exercising oversight and care to those under one’s own care is the duty of those that are within the church.

The Word of God must be studied, read, practiced, and taught for the church to be faithful to this aspect. The knowledge of the Word brings wisdom, as Christ followers are to be meditating on the word daily (Col. 3:16). The church is self-teaching in the training and reading of the Scriptures to be self-supporting in assisting in the needs of others based on the teachings of Scripture. The church community is to reflect the people in which they are trying to reach with the gospel message.[4] Therefore, expressions of worship should reflect in this.

The New Testament teaches that the church is the “body” (soma) of Christ, as Christ is the head.[5] In 1 Corinthians 12:27, Paul outlines six essential characteristics of the church. The one that is continually referenced throughout this section is the visibility of the body, as it relates to the command to be “salt and light” in the darkness of the world (Matt. 5:13-16). The universal picture of diversity within the body of Christ places this idea into perspective.[6]

The universal church has been commissioned by God to serve as the “city on a hill” (Matt. 5:14) that has been ordained by God, before time began, to bring glory to His kingdom.[7] To edify the body (Eph. 4:3-6) and reach the lost, the local church is to commission Christ followers to reach out to the lost by way of evangelism (Matt. 28:19-20).

The second major function that needs to be addressed is the administration of the ordinances of baptism and the Lord’s Table. As one comes to faith in Christ, they are to be baptized to identify with the body of Christ as a symbol of what God has done in the individual person’s life. The individual must be a professing Christ follower in order to participate in the partaking of the Lord’s Table.[8] As Jesus was baptized (Matt. 3:13-17), his disciples practiced it throughout Acts. Infant baptism is a supposition, not being foundational in its approach to the New Testament. As faith is an essential component of faith, this is only able to be done through the mature understanding of a decision. As infants have no means by which to have faith at a young age, it seems illogical for infant baptism to be biblical.

1 Corinthians 11 outlines the Lord’s Table in detail, including the cups of wine and bread to be eaten. After examining oneself and confessing sin, one may partake in this ordinance. If not, they are not to partake. This alone comes from a believer’s manner of faith through participation.[9]

[1] Matthew Willmington, Professor, “PLED 351 Class Room Lecture” (2018).

[2] "ἐκκλησία," Blue Letter Bible, accessed November 11, 2018, https://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?t=kjv&strongs=g1577.

[3] Willmington, “PLED 351 Class Room Lecture” (2018).

[4] Ibid.

[5] Norman L. Geisler, Church and Last Things, vol. 4, Systematic Theology (Minneapolis, MN: Bethany House, 2002), 48.

[6] Ibid., 122.

[7] Ibid., 126.

[8] See Matt 28:19-20; Acts 2 41-42; 13:1-4; 14:27; 20:17; 15:19-31; 20:28; Rom 16:1, 4; Eph. 1:22-23; 5:25-27; 1 Pet 5:1-4 for additional Scriptural support.

[9] See Appendix 3 for information regarding the ordinances of the church.