Lesson 1 - The Church: Its SignificanceLesson 1 - The Church: Its Significance Lesson 2 - The Church: Its Usage Lesson 3 - The Church: Its Sound Speech Lesson 4 - The Church: Its Establishment, Lesson 5 - The Church: Its Origin Then and Now Lesson 6 - The Church: Is It To Be Joined? Lesson 7 - The Church: A Good Man and the Church Lesson 8 - The Church: Its Identity Lesson 9 - The Church: Its Unity Lesson 10 - The Church: Is the Church Denominational? Lesson 11 - The Church: Its Organization Lesson 12 - The Church: Its Elders, Their Qualifications Lesson 13 -The Church: Its Elders, How They Are Made and Unmade Lesson 14 -The Church: Its Elders, Their Duties Lesson 15 -The Church: Its Deacons, Their Qualifications and Duties Lesson 16 -The Church: The Preacher, His Life and Duties Lesson 17 -The Church: The Preacher, General Discussion Lesson 18 - The Church: Its Discipline Lesson 19 - The Church: Its Finances Lesson 20 - The Church: Its Supper Lesson 21 - The Church: Its Music, Lesson 22 - The Church: Its Mission Lesson 23 - The Church: The Model Church LESSON 1 The Church: Its Significance There are many, many, wrong concepts regarding the church of God. That is why, I have chose this series of lessons that will for sure help us to understand the body of Christ in depth. The church is important, the church is vital, the church is the Body where Jesus is the Head. LESSON 1 Its Significance The Church: Its Significance importance; consequence: the quality of being significant or having a meaning: the state or quality of being significant How do you know the church it is not a material building (Acts 7:48; 17:24)? What The Church is Not! Acts 7:48 48 However, the Most High does not dwell in temples made with hands, as the prophet says: Acts 17:24 24 God, who made the world and everything in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands. a.What came upon the church (Acts 5:11)? b. Can a material building fear? c.What came to the ears of the church (Acts 11:22)? d.Does a material building have such organs? Acts 5:11 11 So great fear came upon all the church and upon all who heard these things. Acts 11:22 22 Then news of these things came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent out Barnabas to go as far as Antioch. Why then call the meeting house The Church of Christ? By metonymy, A figure of speech in which one word is put for another that it suggests; as a good table (that is, good food). Actually, did Christ offer thanks for the cup (1 Cor. 11:25)? Was it the cup or its contents he blessed or offered thanks for? Literally, is the meeting house the church? Or does the church go to the meeting house? Why? The church is not necessarily a body of baptized believers. Why? Describe the vast masses baptized by John (Mt. 3:5, Show that none of these baptized were in the church or kingdom (Mt. 3:2; 11:11). Also, who made and baptized more disciples than John (Jno. 4:1,2)? Prove those then baptized were not members of the church (Mt. 4:17; 16:18). Prove all members of the church are baptized believers (1 Cor. 12:13, 27). Why were none of those baptized of John and Jesus members of the church? Matthew 3:5 (NKJV) 5 Then Jerusalem, all Judea, and all the region around the Jordan went out to him Matthew 3:2 2 and saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!" John 4:1-2 (NKJV) 1 Therefore, when the Lord knew that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John 2 (though Jesus Himself did not baptize, but His disciples), Matthew 4:17 17 From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." Matthew 16:18 18 And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. 1 Corinthians 12:13 13 For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body-- whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free--and have all been made to drink into one Spirit. The church was not then established; it was only in preparation. What it is! In what sense is the church a congregation or an assembly? Congregation is from three words: Con plus gregare to collect, and grex, a flock. Therefore it means to assemble, to congregate. Define the word church. It is from the Greek word ekklesia ; and this from ek, out of, and kaleo, to call. It means the called out. Was the word always used in a religious sense? ekklesia No, the assembly of Acts 19:32 is from ekklesia, and there, it refers to a frenzied mob. In the sense of being called out, would not any assembly be a church? Acts 19:32 32 Some therefore cried one thing and some another, for the assembly was confused, and most of them did not know why they had come together. Distinguish then between any called assembly and that of the church! The church is the called out by the gospel (2 Thess. 2:13, 14), An assembly of Christians gathered to worship God (Acts 20:7). In being called out, out of what, and into what is one called (1 Pet. 2:9b)? 2 Thessalonians 2: But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God from the beginning chose you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth, 14 to which He called you by our gospel, for the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. Acts 20:7 7 Now on the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul, ready to depart the next day, spoke to them and continued his message until midnight. 1 Peter 2:9 9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 1 John 2:15 15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. What is the relationship of the world to the church (1 Jno. 2:15)? What is in the world? It is not of God, but of what (1 Jno. 2:16)? What will become of the world? But what of the called out (1 Jno. 2:17)? 1 John 2:16 worldthe lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes 16 For all that is in the worldthe lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of lifeis not of the Father but is of the world. 1 John 2:16 not of the Father but is of the world. 16 For all that is in the world the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of lifeis not of the Father but is of the world. 1 John 2:17 And the world is passing away 17 And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever. 1 John 2:17 but he who does the will of God abides forever. 17 And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever. SOME SCRIPTURAL DESIGNATIONS OF THE CHURCH As to family relationship, what is the church (1 Tim. 3:15)? In this house, who is the Father (Rom. 8:16b)? In this house, who are members of the family (Rom. 8:17a)? 1 Timothy 3:15 15 but if I am delayed, I write so that you may know how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth. Romans 8:16 16 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, Romans 8:17 17 and if children, then heirsheirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together. SOME SCRIPTURAL DESIGNATIONS OF THE CHURCH In respect to Gods dwelling, what is the church (1 Cor. 3:16)? In this temple, the church, what are the members (1 Pet. 2:5a)? Why are these living stones built together (1 Pet. 2:5b)? How does God dwell in this building (Eph. 2:22)? How is Christ related to this building (Eph. 2:20)? 1 Corinthians 3:16 16 Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? 1 Peter 2:5 5 you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. Ephesians 2:22 22 in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit. Ephesians 2:20 20 having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief corner stone, SOME SCRIPTURAL DESIGNATIONS OF THE CHURCH In respect to cultivation, what is the church (1 Cor. 3:9)? 1 Corinthians 3:9 9 For we are Gods fellow workers; you are Gods field, you are Gods building. SOME SCRIPTURAL DESIGNATIONS OF THE CHURCH In respect to loyalty, what is the church (Gal. 6:10)? Galatians 6:10 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith. SOME SCRIPTURAL DESIGNATIONS OF THE CHURCH In respect to organization, what is the church (Eph. 1:22, 23)? o How is Christ related to the body (Col. 1:18a)? Ephesians 1: And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, 23 which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all. Colossians 1:18 18 And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence. SOME SCRIPTURAL DESIGNATIONS OF THE CHURCH In respect to organization, what is the church (Eph. 1:22, 23; Col. 1:18)? o How are Christians related to the body (Rom. 12:4, 5)? Romans 12:4-5 4 For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, 5 so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. SOME SCRIPTURAL DESIGNATIONS OF THE CHURCH In respect to organization, what is the church (Eph. 1:22, 23; Col. 1:18)? o He is head over what things in the church (Eph. 1:22)? Ephesians 1:22 22 And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, SOME SCRIPTURAL DESIGNATIONS OF THE CHURCH In respect to organization, what is the church (Eph. 1:22, 23; Col. 1:18)? o What of his fullness in the body (Eph. 1:23)? Ephesians 1:23 23 which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all. SOME SCRIPTURAL DESIGNATIONS OF THE CHURCH As to marriage relationship, what is the church (Eph. 5:22-25)? Ephesians 5: Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. 23 For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. 24 Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything. 25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, LESSON 1 The Church: Its Significance The church significance is very clear in the passages of the New Testament. We have been built in order to proclaim the word unto those who are lost. Know who you are in the church. Make sure you are part of the church. Make sure you are among the saved ones!