You are a part of the Glorious Beloved Bride of The Lord Jesus Christ. WHAT IS THE CHURCH? Two Greek words are used, ekklesia (Called out ones) and kuriake (belonging to the Lord) kuriake is the foundation of Scottish “Kirk” German “Kirche, and English “Church” The church is not optional but is essential in what it means to be a Christian and to grow in Christ. The Church has a both/and nature Militant and triumphant Visible and invisible Catholic and local Organism and organization Gathered and scattered United in Spirit and Doctrine Holy Spirit gives unity Apostolic Doctrine in belief (1) Ephesians 4:1-16 gives us the ways we are all one (body, Spirit, hope, Lord, faith, baptism, God and Father of all) Doctrine (Apostolicity) (1) Devoted to the Apostles Teaching (Acts 2:42) (2) Paul warns Timothy, Titus, Galatians , the Church in Corinth and others to not accept a different doctrine, no matter who preaches it. The Church is holy and called to be holy Catholicity Places - Every place Persons - Every believer Times - of all times Truth - one true gospel and text The main mark of the true church is the Word of God being proclaimed, believed, and obeyed. Some see three, preaching, ordinances, discipline. But the ordinances and discipline have to be based in the Word of God. The bible proclamation and profession of the whole counsel. HOW DO I KNOW IF OUR CHURCH IS HEALTHY? Christ focused Conversion of Sinners Correct use of the ordinances The first two lessons in being a Christian The continued teaching of the saints Regulative principle: “The acceptable way of worshiping the true God is instituted by himself and so limited by his own revealed will”. In other words, worship should contain the elements we can show to be appropriate from the Bible. COVENANT MEMBERSHIP Meaningful membership We agree together on how we will live out our faith together. Church Covenant - We sign a covenant that reminds us we live for Christ together CORRECT DISCIPLINE Positive - Training, practice, teaching, edify, challenge Restorative - call out and help to overcome Discipline Helps keep the church pure BIBLICAL LEADERSHIP Only two offices recorded in the Bible in the Church for its operation Elders, Pastors, Bishops Deacons God gave these two offices for the government and running of the Church. Acts 11:30 First mention of Church Elders (offering sent to them) in Acts14:19-23 first mention of appointing Elders in the Church, Paul and Barnabas in Lystra after Pauls’ stoning and resurrection. Then Acts 15 the Council at Jerusalem about the Judaizers, the Elders came together with the Apostles and Paul and Barnabas. James, the first among equals in the Elders in Jerusalem, gave a decision that was approved by the other Elders, the Apostles, and then the Church. TWO ORDINANCES Baptism - Front door into the fellowship Matthew 28:18-20 We want to let Baptism teach us of our identity in Christ The Lords Supper. Communion of the Saints, We are identified with Christ together. Communion should be meaningful to the believer but also for the whole Church. It is symbolic but in that symbol comes a reality that Christ is in us, and we are all one in Him in this fellowship Conclusion: “The proper study of a Christian is Christ. Next to that subject is the Church. And though I would by no means ever urge you so to think of the Church as for a moment to put her in comparison with her Lord yet think of her in relation to Him. You will not dishonor the sun by remembering that there is a moon, you will not lessen the glory of “the King in his beauty” by remembering that the Queen, His Consort, is “all glorious within”. You will not think any the less of Christ for thinking much of His Church.” Charles H. Spurgeon Take Home: We hope, and it seems it has, generated deeper thoughts and consideration about the church. What is one thing you learned in this series on what is the church that you had not considered before? We are not doing everything badly, we do very much well. Name some.