OPINION – Church? Christianity?

 

CHURCH?

CHRISTIANITY?

What was it then?  What is it now?

Many people today understand the church as a building. This is not a biblical understanding of the church. The word “church” is a translation of the Greek word ekklesia, which is defined as “an assembly” or “called-out ones.” The root meaning of church is not that of a building, but of people. It is ironic that when you ask people what church they attend, they usually identify a building. Romans 16:5 says, “Greet the church that is in their house.” Paul refers to the church in their house—not a church building, but a body of believers.

The church is the body of Christ, of which He is the head. Ephesians 1:22–23 says, “And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.” The body of Christ is made up of all believers in Jesus Christ from the day of Pentecost (Acts 2) until Christ’s return. Biblically, we may regard the church in two ways, as the universal church or as the local church.

The universal church consists of everyone, everywhere, who has a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. “For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink” (1 Corinthians 12:13). This verse says that anyone who believes is part of the body of Christ and has received the Spirit of Christ as evidence. All those who have received salvation through faith in Jesus Christ comprise the universal church.

The local church is described in Galatians 1:1–2: “Paul, an apostle, and all the brothers with me, to the churches in Galatia.” Here we see that in the province of Galatia there were many churches—they had a localized ministry and were scattered throughout the province. They were local churches. A Baptist church, a Lutheran church, an E-Free church, etc., is not the church, as in the universal church; rather, it is a local church, a local body of believers. The universal church is comprised of everyone who belongs to Christ. Members of the universal church should seek fellowship and edification in a local church.

In summary, the church is not a building or a denomination. According to the Bible, the church is the body of Christ – all those who have placed their faith in Jesus Christ for salvation (John 3:16; 1 Corinthians 12:13). Local churches are gatherings of people who claim the name of Christ. Members of a local church may or may not be members of the universal church, depending on the genuineness of their faith. The local church is where believers can fully apply the “body” principles of 1 Corinthians chapter 12 – encouraging, teaching, and building one another up in the knowledge and grace of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Christianity began roughly 2,000 years ago, shortly after the death, resurrection, and ascension of Christ. Acts 11:26b says, “It was at Antioch that the believers were first called Christians.” “Christians” means “Christ’s people.” Early Christianity consisted of a group of loosely connected local bodies of believers who gathered together on a regular basis, usually in each other’s homes to fellowship and worship together (Acts 16:15; 18:7; 21:8; Romans 16:5; Colossians 4:15). These churches generally had the organization of pastors, elders, and deacons within each individual congregation.

This early New Testament church lived communally and often shared resources such as food and money (Acts 2:44-45 and Acts 4:32-36). Their services consisted mainly of preaching (during which time they might also read letters from missionaries such as Paul) and the singing of songs. They took offerings to support the journeys of their missionaries, and they performed baptisms. Also, the early Christians celebrated the Lord’s Supper each time they gathered together.

But, soon, early Christianity was challenged by Roman persecution. The majority of the persecution began with the great fire in Rome that destroyed much of the city and devastated the economy. In an attempt to absolve himself, the Roman Emperor Nero claimed it was the Christians who tried to destroy Rome and its pagan gods. From that point on, the Christians were blamed for many of the misfortunes befalling the Empire. Persecution and martyrdom was quick to follow. Because of this persecution, the early Christians were forced to meet in the catacombs, which were long, dark galleries under the city of Rome. There they continued their meetings, baptisms, and even burials for their dead. As a result of the persecution, many of the early Christians were scattered throughout the Roman Empire, expediting the cause of evangelism and fulfilling the Lord’s commands to make disciples of all nations (Acts 8:1, 4-40; 11:19-26; Matthew 28:18-20).

The early Christians had a pure, simplistic approach. The people were able to concentrate on the study of God’s Word, service and dedication to one another, hospitality, benevolence (within the church), and missions (Romans 1:8; 15:19; 1 Thessalonians 1:7-8; Acts 13:1-26:32).

(The foregoing paragraphs are from GotQuestions,Org, in part or in their entirety.)

The programs and technology present in many churches today can be useful tools in helping us emphasize the same things, but are also often distractions. Compared to the structured organization of the church today, the early church looked more like the informal settings of one of our Bible studies or small groups. The church today looks more like a presentation of an idealism, entertainment to elevate an emotional response complete with appreciative applause, an oratory and a collection of funds for the support of the incorporated church through a 501-c-3 tax shelter.

Jesus never taught about starting a building program, incorporating, seeking government assistance or control, involving the unsaved, the marginally saved, or the un-tested in church leadership roles of any kind in His day. They were the tares! And this still applies in our day. Churches have allowed and even encouraged the tares to lead our churches. And you should know them by their fruit. And, they do not have the spiritual gifts necessary. And please don’t suggest that “that was then and this is now” nonsense. Our technology is far above the first century, but technology does not improve the nature and character of humankind.

The result of this religious drift of the Christian Church and of Christians has created a vacuum or a void which is naturally being filled with the antithesis of Christianity – which is evil. Satan (the devil) and his force of demons and their demonic darkness of evil is spreading across the globe infiltrating every home, institution and darkening the minds of billions; bringing wars, rumors of war, disease, sickness, famine, hate, murders, violence and anarchy.

There is an intensifying of this conflict which will culminate with the intervention of Jesus the Christ bringing the Messianic judgment, the Wrath of the Lamb upon the rebellious. He is bringing an end to sin, and end to the rebellion against God and will deliver the fatal and crushing blow to Satan and his evil.

The church has been infiltrated and compromised. The Apostles, and the Apostle Paul in particular, fought against the same things, such as the Judaizers, the Gnostics, false teachers and the false gospels, in the early church. Almost immediately after the Apostles died, the drift away from the clear teachings of Jesus had begun, but particularly during the era and reign of Constantine.

OKAY? What are we to do as these events come to pass?

We are to “follow Jesus” and do exactly as He has said and exactly as He has done.

(Read, with new eyes, Matthew 4:1-25 through Matthew 10:1-42, Matthew 28:16-20.)

So, GO to church if you will. But most importantly you must BE the church wherever you go. Know that a building does not constitute a church. If it is a convenient place, then I guess I would say “use it”. But do not lose the intimacy and the close fellowship you will find in someone’s home. You will lose the sense of belonging and of co-ownership in the Church Body. And if you are not careful, you will become a Sunday, (Wednesday, etc.) member visiting the church’s edifice. And instead of sensing the wonders of being a member of God’s immediate household, you will just sense being a member.

(Jesus said he considers His followers as His brothers, friends and joint-heirs in the Kingdom of God, and we should consider one another likewise.)

Acts 2:42 tells us that, “They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer”. A network of homes are more ‘organic’, quick to respond to one another and by their nature, more transparent to one another – and by the way, it makes it harder for the government or the adversary to interfere.

It is true that we are commanded not to forsake the assembling ourselves together, but when the Apostle Paul said, “Do not forsake the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching”, he was speaking in the first century to first century Christians who met in homes or anyplace they could intimately and safely gather.

(Remember that Paul’s admonition is the Word of God. And this word is still true today.)

Jesus never said, to any of His fully devoted believers and followers, “GO to church”. Never. He did say “GO and make disciples, of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to follow all that I commanded you; and behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” And becoming a fully devoted and mature disciple of Jesus is both taught and “caught”.

Yes, please do as the Lord leads and commands you to do. But remember that His Word was written and is written to you, for your instruction, teaching, for your rebuke, correction, and your training in righteousness; so that, you, the man or woman of God may be fully capable, equipped for each of the good works (that He prepared ahead of time that you should walk in them). And in this case innovation has gone too far and has not been good for the Church and the mission of Jesus.

You are the “Called Out Ones” the Ekklesia – The Church. Now go get it done!

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

More on this subject:

The Church – The edifice

The Church – Believe, Do, Be

Building The Church

Intro to a Church Plant / Revitalization