"WHAT IS THE CHURCH?" |
LESSON 2 |
| INTRODUCTION: |
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This lesson will serve as an introduction to the church. |
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Bearing in mind the importance of understanding the body of Christ. |
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| DISCUSSION: |
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| I. |
THE WORD "CHURCH" (MATTHEW 16:13-20) |
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From the Greek word "ekklesia;" "ek" – meaning out of, and "klesis" – meaning a calling ("kaleo" – to call) |
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Applied by the Greeks to any body of people called from their home or business. |
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To the Greeks this word suggested a self-governing society; to the Jew, a theocratic, direction of God, society. (ISBE) |
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3. |
The "ekklesia" of the New Testament is a society of those who are free because of obedience to the King (Romans 6:16-18). |
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| II. |
THE CHURCH'S RELATION TO CHRIST IS THAT OF A BRIDE TO HER HUSBAND |
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A. |
Read Ephesians 5:22-23. |
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B. |
Of the relationship he says, "THE TWO SHALL BECOME ONE FLESH." He then adds, "This is a great mystery; but I speak concerning Christ and the church" (Ephesians 5:31-32). |
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| III. |
THE CHURCH IS A BODY OF MANY MEMBERS OF WHICH CHRIST IS THE HEAD |
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Read I Corinthians 12:12-27. |
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As head over the body, Christ governs and presides (Colossians 1:18; Ephesians 1:22-23). |
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| IV. |
THE CHURCH IS THE FAMILY OF GOD |
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Paul referred to the church as "THE HOUSE OF GOD" (I Timothy 3:15). |
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By "house," Paul did not mean a building, but a family. Several times the word "house" refers to family (Acts 10:2; 11:14; 16:15). |
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Paul called the Ephesians "fellow citizens with the saints, and the household of God" (Ephesians 2:19). |
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Sons and daughters of God (II Corinthians 6:18). God's sons and daughters would indeed be in His family. |
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Therefore, when the Bible refers to the house of God, it is talking about the church. |
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| V. |
THE CHURCH IS THE KINGDOM OF GOD AND CHRIST |
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A. |
This kingdom was to come during the lifetime of some who walked with Jesus on earth (Mark 9:1). |
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John preached about the kingdom coming (Matthew 3:1-2) — when? |
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Jesus preached concerning its coming (Matthew 4:17) — when? |
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The apostles preached about its coming (Matthew 10:5-7) — when? |
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4. |
The seventy preached about the coming (Luke 10:9) — when? |
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What does "at hand" mean? Mark 9:1 — in the lifetime. The night He was betrayed Jesus appointed unto His apostles a kingdom. |
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Did it come? |
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Revelation 1:10 — John was in it. |
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Hebrews 12:28 — they had received it. |
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Colossians 1:13-14 — they left darkness and were translated into it. |
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I Corinthians 15:23-25 — when Christ comes He will deliver it up. |
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I Thessalonians 2:12 — they were called into it. |
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| VI. |
THE CHURCH AND THE KINGDOM ARE THE SAME PEOPLE |
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The church is spoken of as being the same as the kingdom (Matthew 16:18-19). |
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If the church and the kingdom are different, Christ built a church and then gave the apostles the keys to a kingdom. |
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| VII. |
TERMS OF MEMBERSHIP |
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Hear — Romans 10:17. |
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Believe — Hebrews 11:6; John 8:24; Acts 16:32-34; Romans 5:1. |
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Repentance — Luke 24:47; Luke 13:3,5; Acts 17:30-31; Acts 26:20. |
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Confess — Matthew 10:32-33; Romans 10:9-10; I Timothy 6:12. |
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E. |
Baptism — 1) To be saved (Mark 16:16); 2) For Remission of sins (Acts 2:38); 3) To get into Christ (Galatians 3:27); 4) To walk in a new life (Romans 6:4); 5) It is a burial in water (Colossians 2:13). |
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Saved ones are added to the Lord's body (Ephesians 4:4; Ephesians 1:22-23; I Corinthians 12:13). |
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Acts 2:47. |
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Acts 5:14; 11:24. |
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| VIII. |
CONCLUSION: |
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The church is the body of Christ, having the same relation to Him that a bride has to her husband (Ephesians 5:22-23). |
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The church is the "house of God" or the "family of God" made up of the "born again ones," making them His "sons and daughters." |
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The church is the kingdom of God, "called out of the world" or "delivered from the power of darkness" (Acts 2:41, 47; Colossians 1:13-14). |
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D. |
LET US ALL STRIVE TO LOVE, HONOR, AND PROMOTE THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST! |
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| QUESTIONS FROM LESSON TWO |
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1. |
What does the word church mean? |
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2. |
Explain the relationship between Christ and His church. |
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3. |
Who is the head of the church? Why? |
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4. |
Does I Corinthians 12:12-27 condone denominationalism? |
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5. |
What is meant by "household of God?" |
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6. |
What is the difference in "the Kingdom" and "the church?" |
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7. |
Is it necessary to know about the church? |
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8. |
Give the terms of entrance into the church. |
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9. |
What is meant by the term "at hand" in reference to the church? |
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10. |
At what point are people added to the church? |
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11. |
Is it important to be in the church? |