THE CHURCH
The church is the new covenant community of believers in the gospel of Jesus Christ who have been called out by God to participate in His redemptive purposes both presently and forever in the new heavens and new earth (Eph. 1.3-23; Rev. 21.1ff.). It is the visible manifestation of God’s glory on earth, represented in His people (I Cor. 12.12, 27; Eph. 1.22-23; 4.12; 5.29-30; Col. 1.18, 24). The church is the fulfillment of the eschatological Temple spoken of in the OT (Ezek. 40-48) – Christ Jesus being the chief cornerstone (Eph. 2.19-22) and His people the living stones (I Pet. 2.4-8; cf. I Cor. 6.19). Since the first century, local churches have met on the first day of the week to commemorate Christ’s resurrection (Jn. 20.1; cf. I Cor. 16.2; Acts 20.7; Rev. 1.10), hear the word of God proclaimed (I Tim. 4.13; Acts 2.42a), recite redemptive truth in song (Eph. 5.19; Col. 3.15-16), and encourage one another to persevere in gospel living (Heb. 3.12-15; 10.24-39). The Sunday corporate gathering should never be an isolated incident in a Christian’s schedule, but should instead catalyze a greater discipline and desire for fellowship with other church members throughout the week (Acts 2.42, 46-47; Heb. 3.12-13).
Individuals who comprise the local church are called to submit to the oversight and instruction of their pastors/elders (Heb. 13.17; I Thess. 5.12-13). The pastoral leadership is responsible to make certain the body of Christ is faithful to the three essential aspects of what comprises a biblical (and, therefore, true) church. These are as follows: (1) the faithful and accurate proclamation of both the gospel and the Word of God (I Tim.4.13; 6.2d-5; 2 Tim. 4.1-4; cf. Gal. 1.6-12), (2) the regular and proper administration of the ordinances of baptism (Mt. 28.19; Acts 2.38; Rom. 6.3-4; Col. 2.12; cf. Mt 3.14-15) and the Lord’s Supper (I Cor. 11.17-34), and (3) the faithful exercise of church discipline (Matt. 18.15-17; I Cor. 5). The congregation is responsible to hold the pastoral leadership to account if these three areas are not being observed (cf. Gal. 2.11-14).
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