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Discipleship Manual
The Church
Break Line

     The church is the divinely ordained body that is responsible both for nurturing believers and for preaching the gospel. It is the expression of the Kingdom of God on the earth. The word "church", from the Greek text means: "assembly, gathering, meeting". It is used of the Christian church or congregation. It literally means a "calling out of". This message is conveyed to us in II Corinthians 6:17.

  1. What Is The Church?

    1. The Church is a group of born-again believers meeting together to worship God, to be trained in the ways of God's kingdom, and to minister the Gospel to the world.

    2. The Church is not a literal building but a body of redeemed people - (I Corinthians 12:27)

    3. The Church is not a denomination or sect:

      1. There is no scripture authorizing the present divisions in Christianity.

      2. The New Testament Church is not to be divided by anything.

      3. The Church must reach every society, every nation, every language, every person.


  2. What Are The Main Aspects Of The Church?

    1. The Church "invisible" (Ephesians 3:21, Hebrews 12:22-23). This speaks of unity within a spiritual body for the habitation of God, by the Spirit, with Jesus Christ as the Head. It is not spoken of in a visible sense, but is an invisible union of all true believers in Jesus Christ. - (Ephesians 2:19-21, I Corinthians 3:16)

    2. The Church "visible" - (Matthew 18:15-20)

      1. Groups of believers in a given location - (Matthew 18:20)

      2. Believers gathered to the person of Jesus Christ for worship - (John 4:24)

      3. Live a disciplined life - (Matthew 18:19-20)

      4. Under the oversight of five-fold ministry - (Ephesians 4:11-16)

      5. Established in the principles of Christ's doctrine - (Acts 2:42, Hebrews 6:1-2)

      6. Locally governed, yet in fellowship with other believers - (Revelation 1:11, Philippians 1:1)


  3. What Are Some Of The Other Names In Scripture By Which The New Testament Church Is Called?

    1. Temple: Jesus is the Chief Cornerstone - (Ephesians 2:21, I Peter 2:5)

    2. Family: Jesus, the Head - (Ephesians 3:15)

    3. Bride: Jesus, the Bridegroom - (Ephesians 5:22-32)

    4. Army: Jesus, the Captain - (Ephesians 6:10-17)

    5. Body: Jesus, the Head - (Ephesians 1:22-23, 4:16)

    6. City: Jesus, the Light - (Matthew 5:14, Hebrews 11:10, 12:22)

    7. Vineyard: Jesus, the Vine - (John 15:1-7)

    8. Sheepfold: Jesus, the Shepherd - (John 10:1-6)

    9. Holy Nature: Jesus, the Firstborn - (I Peter 2:9, Psalm 87)

    10. Holy Priesthood: Jesus, the High Priest - (I Peter 2:5,9, Hebrews 7)


  4. What Is The Local Church?

    1. It is the local assemby made up of members of the Body of Christ. Their common bond is their fellowship with the Lord Jesus Christ - (I Corinthians 1:2, I Thessalonians 1:1, Galatians 1:2)

    2. It's mission is to proclaim and demonstrate both the message and the ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ. - (Matthew 28:18-20, Mark 16:15-18, John 17:13-18)

    3. The local church allows the believers to edify or build up one another - (Romans 14:19, I Thessalonians 5:11)

    4. It is a command found in the scriptures for believers to attach themselves to a body of believers - (Hebrews 10:25)


  5. What Is the "Governing" Structure Within The Local Church?

    1. Church government is necessary to provide order and maintain peace among brethren and to instill obedience to God's will - (I Corinthians 12:28, Hebrews 13:17)

    2. Christ is the head of the Church, both universal and local - (Ephesians 5:23, Colossians 1:18, 2:19)

    3. Under Christ there are various ministries that serve to perfect the body of Christ - (I Corinthians 12:28, Ephesians 4:11-12)

    4. Bishops (Pastor, Elder) are the ruling authorities in the local church - (I Timothy 3:1-7)


  6. What Is The Office Of Bishop?

    1. The qualifications to meet the office of bishop are outlined in I Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-7

    2. A bishop must meet high standards of moral, civil, and spiritual qualities.

    3. There are various terms synonomous with the word "bishop" in the New Testament:

      1. Bishop: taken from the Greek "episcopos", means "over-seer". This is the actual office, the ruling position - (Acts 20:17-38)

      2. Elder: taken from the Greek "presbyturos", means "senior". This refers to the personal status of the bishop - (I Peter 5:1-5)

        1. The elder's function is to rule - (I Timothy 5:1, 17-21)

        2. They have responsibility and accountability for the flock - (Hebrews 13:17)

      3. Pastor: taken from the Greek "poimen", means "shepherd". This is one who feeds, protects, and instructs. - (Ephesians 4:11)


  7. What Is The Office Of Deacon?

    1. The qualifications to meet the office of deacon are outlined in Acts 6:3 and I Timothy 3:8-13

    2. A deacon must meet high standards of moral, civil, and spiritual qualities.

    3. The word "deacon" is taken from the Greek "diakonos", meaning "servant" or "helper".

    4. A deacon is one who serves as an official to carry out various "duties" within the local church.


     Through the Church, believers are nurtured and brought to maturity in Christ. The local church provides fellowship and is the training ground to equip believers to proclaim the gospel to the "uttermost parts of the earth."


Review Questions
  1. What is the church?
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  2. What is the mission of the church?
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  3. What is the relationship between the Lord Jesus Christ and His church?
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  4. Why is the local church important?
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"Fellowship"

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Last modified: 10/23/2002