CTG 0030

Jesus said:  

"... I will build my church* ..." 

- Matthew 16:18 

* Gk. ekklēsia

I was born into a culture that understood the church to be a building, a structure that is built with stone, bricks or other materials. But for many decades now I no longer think in that way. As a young man, when I read the Bible, I started to discover that Jesus meant something quite different when he talks about the church (ekklesia). 

When I think about the church I think about people. Because that is exactly what Jesus is referring to. Young and old, male and female from every nation, who believe in him and what he has done for us. People who follow him, who he has called out of the darkness of this world, delivered from the power of Satan and gathered together into fellowship with himself, with his Father and with the Holy Spirit.  

This universal church expresses itself in local gatherings, wherever Christians live. These churches come together in homes, hired buildings, purpose built structures or in the open air etc, depending on circumstances and what is the most practical. Hopefully unbelievers will often be present, at least at some of the meetings. So that they can be helped to understand the reason why God's Son had to die on the cross and rise again. Some, hopefully many, will believe and be saved from their sins. Others won't believe but may still want to be occasionally present at the gatherings. But it's the followers of Christ who are the actual church. And we are the church when we are together and when we are scattered. 

Whether we are involved with a simple or a more complicated structure of church (or with a combination of both) it shouldn't suprise us that, at the present time, no church (group of believers) is perfect. A careful reading of the Bible should help us realise that the New Testament church will only reach perfection when Jesus returns. Nevertheless, as we continue to focus on him, we will become increasingly like him. 

That is the reason God sent his Son into the world. He became like us, so that we become like him and enjoy the presence of God forever. 

Jesus has the preeminence in all things. His name is above every name and he possesses all authority in heaven and on earth. He has given his church the commission to spread the gospel and make disciples for him, everywhere. It should be obvious that our confidence needs to be in God's power and guidance (rather than in human ingenuity) to achieve this, as we use all God-honouring means to fulfill the mission. 

And as we grow in our love for each other, as he has loved us, the world will become aware that we are his followers. 

May God help us to multiply, so that those who have never heard the message of salvation may hear and turn to God through faith in Christ.  

FOR FURTHER READING

Matthew 15:18-20; 16:13-18; 17:1-8; 28:16-20 

John 13:34-35; 14:15-26; 17:1-26 

Acts 1:8; 2:14-24 & 42; 8:1-3; 9:31; 11:19-26; 12:1-17; 13:1-3; 14:21-28; 19:1-20; 20:17 & 28-32 

Romans 15:18-21; 16:3-5 

1 Corinthians 1:1-3 & 9; 3:1-4:6 

2 Corinthians 3:16-18; 6:14-18; 13:14 

Ephesians 2:1-22; 4: 1-16; 5:15-21 & 25-27  

Philippians 2:5-11 

Colossians 1:1-29; 3:1-17 

1 Timothy 2:1-6 

Hebrews 2:10-18; 10:23-25 

1 Peter 2:1-25; 5:1-11 

1 John 1:1-7; 2:28-3:3 

As we continue to read through the whole Bible, from Genesis to Revelation, we get a view of the big picture, why God sent his Son into the world.