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by Bernie Parsons 08/17/02
What Is The church Of Christ?
by Bernie Parsons
Presented to the Westwood, KY,
church of Christ on 08/17/02
Matthew 16:15 "He saith unto
them, But whom say ye that I am?
16: And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
17: And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jona: for flesh and
blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.
18: And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my
church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it."
Jesus said that He would build His
church, and death itself would not prevent Him. The word church, or kirk, is an
English/Scottish word that means, "of the Lord". Unfortunately, many have
equated the church to the meetinghouse, which is incorrect. For centuries, men have
referred to assembly-places as the "house of the Lord", or the church. This is
an erroneous statement. But even in the churches of Christ we don't always understand what
the church is.
The New Testament word for church
was in Greek, ekklesia, which means, "a called-out assembly". When Jesus
referenced His ekklesia, He meant His "called out assembly". His "called
out assembly" was not built upon Peter in particular, as some suppose, but rather,
upon the fact that Jesus is the Son of God. This fact alone gave Him the authority--the
power--to build His "called-out assembly", or church. This gave Him the
authority and power to overcome death and be resurrected from the grave, and to establish
His called-out assembly with spiritual foundations.
1 Corinthians 3:9: "For we are
labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building.
10: According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have
laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he
buildeth thereupon.
11: For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ."
1 Peter 2:1: "Wherefore laying
aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings,
2: As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:
3: If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.
4: To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God,
and precious,
5: Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer
up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.
6: Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner
stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.
7: Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient,
the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner,
8: And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the
word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed."
The church is not so much an
organization as it is an organism. It is a living being, the body of Jesus Christ. He, and
the apostles, are the foundation of the called-out assembly, and we Christians are
lively--that is, living--stones that comprise the spiritual house of God.
Ephesians 2:19: "Now therefore
ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the
household of God;
20: And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself
being the chief corner stone;
21: In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the
Lord:
22: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the
Spirit."
God lives in us as the body of Jesus
Christ, of which Jesus is the head..
Colossians 1:18: "And he is the
head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in
all things he might have the preeminence."
Ephesians 5:23: "For the
husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the
saviour of the body."
1 Corinthians 12:27: "Now ye are
the body of Christ, and members in particular.
28: And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly
teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of
tongues.
29: Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles?
30: Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?
31: But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent
way."
As the human body is a living
organism, so is the body of Jesus Christ-that called out assembly to which we refer as
"the church". The time spent trying to organize the church into a denomination
would be better invested in listening to Christ, who is the head of our body. When Jesus
was here on earth, He stated that He must be about His father's business.
Luke 2:49: "And he said unto
them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's
business?"
We need to follow the leadership of
our head, and devote ourselves to our Father's business, rather than dreaming up new
business over which to fuss, fight, and argue. If we will devote ourselves to the Father's
work, we will have little or no time in which to wrangle and wrestle.
What did Jesus instruct His
disciples to do? What was the Father's business?
Matthew 28:19: "Go ye therefore,
and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of
the Holy Ghost:
20: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am
with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen."
I wonder what would happen if we
were to follow those instructions? I hear so many of the church members whine and complain
that the church is withering away. Have you ever analyzed that statement? What causes the
church to wither? We find an important hint in:
John 15:5: "I am the vine, ye
are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit:
for without me ye can do nothing.
6: If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather
them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.
7: If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall
be done unto you.
8: Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.
9: As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.
10: If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's
commandments, and abide in his love.
11: These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your
joy might be full.
12: This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you."
Is it possible that the body of
Christ would be much healthier if we actually followed His lead?
Mathew 5:13: "Ye are the salt of
the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is
thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.
14: Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
15: Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it
giveth light unto all that are in the house.
16: Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify
your Father which is in heaven."
If salt loses its ability to season,
it is worthless, and men will tread it under foot. Have we lost our savor? Are we building
the city in plain sight? Are we putting the candle up on the candlestick?
John 3:14: "And as Moses lifted
up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:
15: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
16: For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever
believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
17: For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world
through him might be saved.
18: He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned
already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
19: And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved
darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
20: For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his
deeds should be reproved.
21: But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that
they are wrought in God."
2 Corinthians 4: 5: "For
we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus'
sake.
6: For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts,
to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
7: But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be
of God, and not of us."
We are not a building of stone, or
wood, or concrete and steel. We are a living building, earthen vessels that contain the
light of Christ. We are a spiritual city, that new Jerusalem, the city of God, set on a
hill, not to be hidden, but to give light to the world. We are the called-out assembly of
God, the church of Jesus Christ.
Our goal is not to argue and fight,
or condemn and destroy. Our goal is to preach the gospel to the world that is cloaked in
the darkness of sin and ignorance. Our aim is to know only Jesus, and His crucifixion.
1 Corinthians 2:1: "And I,
brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring
unto you the testimony of God.
2: For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.
3: And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling.
4: And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in
demonstration of the Spirit and of power:
5: That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of
God."
We are not a denomination unless we
act like one. If we follow men, then we are just another denomination. If we look to
gatherings of men to determine our doctrines, we are a denomination. If our goal is merely
to declare "our church" to be superior to "other churches", then we
are a denomination. My friends, we are the called-out assembly of God, and ought to behave
as such.
Christ died to take away the sin of
the world. That is our message. The power of God rests in that message. The light of God
is projected into the whole world when we present that message. We are called out of the
world to be a holy people, a royal priesthood.
1 Peter 1:15: "But as he which
hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;
16: Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy."
1 Peter 2:9: "But ye are a
chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should
shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous
light:"
Colossians 1: 9: "For this cause
we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye
might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;
10: That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good
work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;
11: Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and
longsuffering with joyfulness;
12: Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the
inheritance of the saints in light:
13: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the
kingdom of his dear Son:
14: In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:
15: Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:
16: For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible
and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all
things were created by him, and for him:
17: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.
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 might have the preeminence."
We are snatched from the jaws of
darkness, from the maw of Hell, and are translated into the blessed and glorious kingdom
of light. Therefore, we are to conduct ourselves as the children of light, the children of
God, whose children we are. When we do, we
give praise to God.
2 Corinthians 6:14: "Be ye not
unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with
unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
15: And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an
infidel?
16: And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the
living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their
God, and they shall be my people.
17: Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not
the unclean thing; and I will receive you,
18: And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord
Almighty."
The called-out assembly, the body of
Christ--that is, the church of Jesus Christ--is to depart from the ways of darkness, the
ways of the world. We are to be a light to the world, and we are to walk in the light that
is the love of Christ. Our love towards one another, and others, proves who we are.
Ephesians 5:1: "Be ye therefore
followers of God, as dear children;
2: And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an
offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.
3: But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among
you, as becometh saints;
4: Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but
rather giving of thanks.
5: For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an
idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.
6: Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of
God upon the children of disobedience.
7: Be not ye therefore partakers with them.
8: For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of
light:
9: (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)
10: Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.
11: And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.
12: For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret.
13: But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth
make manifest is light.
14: Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ
shall give thee light."
As the called-out assembly, or body,
of Christ, we are to put sin from our lives. In this, we work to save ourselves, while
showing others the way to eternal life, the way that is in Christ Jesus. It is not enough
to rest within the "ark of safety", as we are fond of calling the church, but we
must work tirelessly and diligently to bring others to the Lord. If we walk in sin against
God, if we disobey Him, then we walk in darkness, and not in the light.
If you are here tonight, and are not
a Christian, you are not in that called-out assembly. Forsake the ways of darkness, that
is the ways of sin and disobedience against the God of heaven. Do you believe that Jesus
Christ is the Son of the true and living God? If so, repent-that is, turn your heart from
the ways of the world, and turn it over to God. Allow God to take charge of your life, to
give you leadership and direction. Boldly confess your faith that Jesus is the son of God,
and be buried in baptism, washing away your sins, calling upon the name of the Lord. Let
the blood of Jesus wash you white as the snow.
Isaiah 1:16: "Wash you, make you
clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil;
17: Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead
for the widow.
18: Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet,
they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as
wool."
The Lord will add you to His
called-out assembly, His body, His church. From there, born again of the water and of the
Spirit, you will be a babe in Christ, ready to learn the ways of the Lord. You will grow
and mature in Him, walking in the light. Won't
you come and let the Lord add you to His church today?
