BETA: FOUNDATION SCHOOL - MODULE 6

CLASS 6

601 THE CHURCH OF CHRIST

INTRODUCTION

The Church has been God’s plan from the beginning to establish His kingdom here on

earth. In the Old Testament, God set the children of Israel free from the land of Egypt

for them to worship Him. This is the first time we heard about the “Church in the

wilderness”. That is, God called the children of Israel out of Egypt, which gives the

actual meaning of the Church “the called out ones” Objective: At the end of this

class, students should have good understanding of the following:

a. The meaning and origin of the church

b. The purpose of the church

c. Why it is necessary to belong to a local assembly of a church

d. Who builds the church and our responsibilities in the church

e. The need to fulfill our responsibilities in the church

6.1.0 What is the universal church and how do I become a member?

Many people do not really understand what the word Church means. They talk about

the "Protestant" Church or the "Catholic" or "Baptist" Church while others actually

think the Church is the building in which Christians meet. The Greek word translated

Church is ECCLESIA, which means a gathering of people called out from among

other people. The New Testament describes the word Church in two ways:

a. It is used for all believers on earth. This is the Church, which is called Christ's body

(Colossians 1:18,24; 1 Corinthians 12:12-13, 27).

b. It is used to refer to all believers in the local Church (1 Corinthians 16:19).

6.2.0 How does one become a member of the Church?

One becomes a member of the Church by believing in his heart that Jesus Christ died

on the cross of Calvary for him; and confessing with his mouth that He is his Lord

and personal Savior (Romans 10:9-10). From there, you might find yourself searching

for the appropriate assembly to attend. In today’s modernized world, many have

issues with the church, yet they seek a place to learn about God; therefore we have

cyber platforms offering up such. Church itself is not in the building, but in the

assembly of those who has been called out among others, to have a fellowship (you

can read more on the benefits of the Virtual Church at the end of this manual).

6.3.0 The purpose of the Church?

The purpose of the Church is as follows:

a. Glorify God: The true purpose of the Church is to be a light (Isaiah 60:1); and to

glorify God in all our works and deeds, mindful of the fact that He is the Lord of our

lives, our source and strength (Ephesians 3:21).

b. To witness to the world: The aim of the Church is to bear witness of Christ to

sinners. We are to tell the world about the Lord Jesus and the work He did on the

cross of Calvary so that all men might be saved. Therefore the local assembly should

witness to the people in the place where it is located; and should send forth Christians

to take the message of salvation to people in other lands (Matthew 18:20; Mark 16:15-

18).

256.4.0 WHY DO WE NEED LOCAL ASSEMBLIES?

The local assembly actually is a gathering of believers in a given locality. We need

local assemblies in order to bear witness of Christ. The gold lamp stands in

Revelation 1:20 is a picture of a local assembly; and gold speaks of divine

righteousness. The local assembly positions the individual believer in the body of

Christ and enables him or her to function properly (1 Corinthians 12:26). The local

assembly also builds up the individual member, thereby nourishing him or her onto

maturity. The local assembly also enables the believer to discover the different gifts

bestowed on him by the Holy Spirit.

6.5.0 "UPON THIS ROCK I'LL BUILD MY CHURCH" IS THE ROCK

PETER?

No, the rock is not Peter. In Greek, the name Peter means Petros (small rock), while

rock means Petra. Jesus Christ said in Matthew 16:18, "you are Peter (Petros) and

upon this rock (Petra) I'll build my church." In this verse of scripture He was first

talking about the revelation of the person of Jesus. He meant that the church is built

out of those stones (small rock) that partake of the nature of the Petra (rock) by their

confession of Him. Peter's answer as to who Jesus is, sets apart from and beyond

human reasoning as Jesus commended him having heard from God (Matthew

16:16,17). Afterward Jesus emphasized that leadership in his church would always be

based not on man's ability to reason things out, but on his readiness and receptivity to

hear God through revelation knowledge. So Christ is actually the chief cornerstone

and the firm foundation upon which every Christian’s faith is built (1 Peter 2:4-7;

Ephesians 2:18-20; 1 Corinthians 3:11).

6.6.0 IS IT IMPORTANT TO BELONG TO A CHURCH?

It is important to belong to a Church, because the Bible says we should not neglect the

coming together of God's people as in fellowship (Hebrews 10:25). We also belong to

a Church so as to grow spiritually onto maturity. Also it makes us consistent and

committed members of the body of Christ (Ephesians 4:11-14). In our case as a

Virtual Church, we offer a broader spectrum for believers to get involved; and also

reach out to the world at large. The Virtual Church is not to replace the local or

physical church; but it renders an extension to the church’s overall reach and impact

globally.

6.7.0 WHO BUILDS THE CHURCH

a. Jesus is the builder (Matthew 16:18): He is the rock of ages in whom there is

salvation. Jesus Christ is the true foundation of a Christian’s life (1 Peter 2:6). He

started building when He died on the cross of Calvary for all men.

b. We are also builders: We are also builders, because when we believed, we began to

exist as members of the body of Christ; and therefore we need to take our place in the

body of Christ (Ephesians 4:12-14), for the edifying of the body of Christ and the

perfecting of the saints.

c. We are co-labourers: We are partners with the Deity, because God has chosen us as

co-laborers in his vineyard; and therefore we are God's husbandry and His building (1

Corinthians 3:9-10). We are in partnership with God and we have been given the

ministry of reconciliation whereby we reconcile souls back to Him.

d. Why should I go to Church?

5 To function as a member of the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:12-26)

6 To build ourselves up in the most holy faith (Jude 20).

267 To serve, which is in coming together as members of the body of Christ, the

Holy

8 Spirit helps each believer to worship God and witness Christ.

9 (Ephesians 4:11-14; Hebrews 10:25) we go to Church so that we can build

others

10 and to be built up to maturity.

6.8.0 CONCLUSION

The church of Jesus Christ is the body of all believers. One can only be a member of

the church by being born again. The church’s primary purpose is to glorify God and

witness Christ to the world. It is required of every Christian to identify with a local

assembly and fellowship with them. Participating in fellowship is not optional. In fact,

Hebrews 10:25 admonishes us not to forsake the assembly of the brethren. Lastly, a

Christian is a co-labourer with God in building the Church.