CHURCH IS?

CHURCH IS?

Thursday, February 25, 2016

1Corinthians 2:16-3:16 … we have the mind of Christ. … For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building. According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. … Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? [Suggest reading entire section.]

1Peter GNB 3:15-16 But have reverence for Christ in your hearts, and honor him as Lord. Be ready at all times to answer anyone who asks you to explain the hope you have in you, but do it with gentleness and respect. Keep your conscience clear, so that when you are insulted, those who speak evil of your good conduct as followers of Christ will become ashamed of what they say.

  Dear fellows, Now let us examine what God’s Word says about church as opposed to commonplace thought.

  As with any vocabulary, societies gradually or suddenly change the meaning of some words: the English word "imp" once meant "a young shoot of a plant."  Later, the word came to mean "child."  Prayers made years ago for the Prince of Wales referred to him as "that most angelic imp."  Today, the word means "an evil creature; “pop” in general lingo; “coke” in Texas usage; “having a drink” now indicating alcohol; ”fag” once referring to “a cigarette”; “gay” once only meaning “merry”; “queer” once meaning “odd, perplexing, curious”.

  “Church” is just such a example of this in that its meaning has drastically changed. The Greek “ecclesia” originally meaning in general “called out” “congregation” as in the regular assembly of the whole body of citizens in a free city-state. To the Greek hearing it would indicate a self-governing democratic society; to the Jew a Theocratic society whose members are subjects of the Heavenly King.

  The word soon became exclusively a unique Christian word, meaning of or belonging to the Lord; family, a called out congregation; Christian community now and eternal because of and in Lord Jesus Christ Redeemer.

  But over time “church” became what it generally is for many today, a building; the building where Christian or otherwise religious people meet and worship.

  Actually, “Church” is us, we who have trusted Lord Jesus Christ with our life. Put another way, we, as God’s children do not nor never go to church; we are the church!

  (Using Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance in e-Sword KJV, I found “church” [G1577] 77 hits, 76 verses in the New Testament from Matthew thru Revelation. [Verse list available upon request.] Jesus, Peter, Paul, James, John, whoever penned Hebrews . . . all used the same word “church”, meaning people, not building, edifice, house, temple or physical structure of any kind. “Church” is not in the Old Testament.)

  So should we when asked “Do you go to church?” . . . answer by explaining Greek-ly what “church” actually means in God’s Word? Only if we desire to see inquirers eyes roll, then glaze over.

  We must however understand and hold fast to the mind of Christ on and about “the church is we that are His” otherwise we will not freely manifest the blessed assurance of “church”, communicating the Holy Spirit’s love in conversation and expression, explaining why we gather together with others in a building.

  Let us gather together in reporting all that God has done and is doing so as not to simply invite people thru the door of a building, but to open the door of faith in the hope that the lost may see. (Jn.17:1-26; Acts14:27; 2Cor.4:1-7; Eph.4:2-7)  EBB4