The Church Jesus Built: Part 1

This is the first post in a new series titled, "The Church Jesus Built".

Part 1: Characteristics of the Church

Introduction: The Church Has Value

As the Christian movement grew after the resurrection of Jesus, so did the concept of the church. Jesus had died for the church. The apostles were baptizing people into the church. The Holy Spirit inspired men to write about the church. By all markers, the church had great value.

Sadly, history has sometimes been unkind to the church. Some organizations and individuals have done wicked and evil things in the name of Jesus or His church. Some have robbed, persecuted, or destroyed their neighbors and countrymen. Others have abused the innocent. Some consider the church as a place to go or an organization comparable to a business or an entertainment center. These men and organizations did not act with God’s authority. Their work, however, is damaging. Many have lost faith based on such history and practices. A popular alternative among many is to seek a personal relationship with Jesus without the church.

Rather than merely focusing on failures, Bible student must seek and restore what has been lost or damaged. We must value as God values. Let’s consider some characteristics of the church that help demonstrate its worth.

Characteristics of the Church of the Bible

The Bible teaches that the church is a group of people assembled together. The word church is translated from the Greek word ekklesia which means assembly (Acts19:39). When the Bible uses the concept of the church, it is always referring to the people who assemble together, not the building where they assemble (e.g. Acts 12:5).

The Bible teaches that the church is a group of people “called out” from the world. The church is more than just an assembly of people. That would be confusing to differentiate between church gathering and social gatherings. This is why ekklesia is also translated as the called out. Christians have been called out of the world (1 John 2:15-17) and into the church. The Bible says:

“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 Peter 2:9, emphasis added).

Being called out is more than just “attending services.” If you have not obeyed the gospel or you are not walking in the light, you have not been called out. There is an urgency for salvation and sanctification!

The Bible teaches that the church belongs to Jesus. Jesus is called the Head of the body, which is the church (Ephesians 5:23). As the Head, Jesus decides how it operates, not us.

The Bible teaches that Jesus has only one church. Jesus says, “I will build My church,” (Matthew 6:18).  He does not say churches (plural), but church (singular). Certainly, there are multiple congregations of the church all over the world (Romans 16:16). Each assembly of Christians is united under the authority and headship of Jesus.

The Bible teaches that the church has no man-made name. Although it has several different identifying descriptions in the Bible, the church is simply the church. Some Biblical descriptions are: the Church of Christ (Romans 16:16); the Church of the First Born (Hebrews 12:23); the Church of God (2 Corinthians 1:2); the Church of the Living God (1 Timothy 3:15); The Church at ... (a city location, i.e. Revelation 2-3); the Way (Acts 19:9); or simply the church (Acts 2:47).

The important connection is that the descriptions show a church that belongs to Jesus. Whether describing His ownership, the city in which His church was located, or simply referring to Jesus’ Way, biblical descriptions focus on the relationship between the Jesus and His church.

The Bible teaches that the church strives for unity. The Holy Spirit inspired Paul to challenge the church to be eager for unity. The church in Corinth, for example, had serious problems because divisions existed there. The church was dividing over preferences for preachers. The apostle Paul pleaded for unity (1 Corinthians 1:10-13). The church of Christ should be united by a common love for Jesus Christ, a common cause of sharing the gospel, and a common obedience to the Word of God.

*This article was taken from The Church Series, a fourteen-part study written by Jonathan Edwards. This study is available for free PDF download at www.pureandsimplebible.com