“…I (Paul) write so that you may know how you ought to conduct yourself in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth” (I Timothy 3:15)
There are many today who are confused about or misunderstand the meaning of what the Church is or should be. First, I would like to mention what it is not, and then, what it is or should be:
I. What it is not
- It is not a building
- It is not a denomination or religion
- It is not a religious social club
- It is not a performance center for “worship,” or “the worship leader”
- It is not an entertainment platform
- It is not a financial opportunity system
- It is not meant to be a meeting place for hypocrites
II. What it is
- It is the body of called-out believers in Jesus Christ, its Head
- It is a gathering of worshipers of the Lord Jesus Christ for prayer, testimony, the proclamation and practice of Truth, and the singing or playing of Psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs
- It is a living organism rather than a (dead) organization
- It is an evangelistic outreach center to spread the Good News about Jesus Christ
- It is where discipleship (fellowship) of the Messiah is promoted
- It is where recognition and exaltation of God’s Son takes place, rather than the elevation of mere humanoids!
- It is to be a witness to a lost, searching and dying world!
That’s just for starters! Say, how do you and your church measure up? You better follow the pattern of the prototype divinely provided in Acts 2:40-47!
And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation.” Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need. So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved. (Acts 2:40–47)
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