What is the church?

The Bible says: Whoever believes in Christ becomes part of the church or community.
What is it, the church, the congregation? How is it organized? What's the point?

Jesus builds his church

Jesus said: I want to build my church (Matthew 16,18). The Church is important to him - he loved her so much that he gave his life for her (Ephesians 5,25). If we are minded like him, we too will love and give ourselves to the Church. Church or community is translated from Greek ekklesia, which means assembly. In Acts 19,39-40 the word is used in the sense of a normal gathering of people. For the Christian, however, ekklesia has assumed a special meaning: all who believe in Jesus Christ.

At the point where he first used the word, Luke wrote: "And there was a great fear over the whole community ..." (Acts of the Apostles 5,11). He doesn't have to explain what the word means; his readers already knew. It referred to all Christians, not just those who were gathered in this place at that time. "Church" denotes the church, denotes all of Christ's disciples. A community of people, not a building.

Furthermore, the community also refers to the local assemblies of Christians. Paul wrote "to the church of God in Corinth" (1. Corinthians 1,2); he speaks of "all the churches of Christ" (Romans 4,16). But he also uses the word as a collective name for the community of all believers when he says that "Christ loved the church and gave himself up for it" (Ephesians 5,25).

The community exists on several levels. On the one level stands the universal church or church that embraces everyone in the world who professes to be Jesus Christ's Lord and Savior. On another level, the local communities, the municipalities in the strict sense, are regional groups of people who meet regularly. On an intermediate level lie the denominations or denominations, which are groups of communities working together on a common history and faith basis.

The local communities sometimes include non-believers - family members who do not profess Jesus as the Savior, but who still participate in church life. This can also include people who consider themselves Christians, but pretend something. Experience shows that some of them later admit that they were not real Christians.

Why we need the church

Many people describe themselves as believers in Christ, but do not want to join any church. This, too, has to be called bad posture. The New Testament shows that the normal case is for believers to belong to a congregation (Hebrews 10,25).

Again and again Paul calls Christians to be for one another and to work with one another, to serve one another, to unity (Romans 12,10; 15,7; 1. Corinthians 12,25; Galatians 5,13; Ephesians 4,32; Philippians 2,3; Colossians 3,13; 1Thess 5,13). To follow this appeal is as good as impossible for the loner who does not want to be close to other believers.

A church can give us a sense of belonging, a feeling of Christian community. It can give us a minimum of spiritual security so that we do not get lost through strange ideas. A church can give us friendship, fellowship, encouragement. It can teach us things that we would not learn on our own. It can help raise our children, it can help us "serve God" more effectively, it can give us opportunities for social service in which we grow, often in unexpected ways.

In general it can be said: The profit that a community gives us is in proportion to the commitment that we invest. But probably the most important reason for the individual believer to join a congregation is: The church needs us. God has given different gifts to the individual believers and wants us to work together "for the benefit of all" (1. Corinthians 12,4-7). If only part of the workforce shows up for work, it is no wonder that the church is not doing as much as hoped or that we are not as healthy as hoped. Unfortunately, some find it easier to criticize than to help.

The church needs our time, our skills, our gifts. She needs people she can rely on - she needs our commitment. Jesus called for workers to pray (Matthew 9,38). He wants each and every one of us to lend a hand and not just play the passive spectator. Whoever wants to be a Christian without a church does not use his strength as we should use it according to the Bible, namely to help. The Church is a "mutual help community" and we should help one another knowing that the day may come (yes, it has already come), that we need help ourselves.

Church / Community: pictures and symbols

The Church is addressed in various ways: People of God, the family of God, the bride of Christ. We are a building, a temple, a body. Jesus spoke to us as sheep, as field, as vineyard. Each of these symbols illustrates another side of the church.

Many parables of the kingdom from Jesus' mouth also speak of the church. Like a mustard seed, the Church started small and grew up (Matthew 13,31-32). The church is like a field on which weeds grow as well as wheat (verses 24-30). It is like a net that catches good fish as well as bad ones (verses 47-50). It is like a vineyard in which some work long hours, some only for a short time (Matthew 20,1: 16-2). She is like servants who were entrusted with money by their master and who invested it partly well and partly badly (Matthew 5,14-30). Jesus called himself shepherd and his disciples flock (Matthew 26,31); his job was to look for lost sheep (Matthew 18,11-14). He describes his believers as sheep to be grazed and cared for1,15-17). Paul and Peter also use this symbol and say that church leaders must "feed the flock" (Acts 20,28:1; ​​Peter 5,2).

We are "God's building", writes Paul in 1. Corinthians 3,9. The foundation is Christ (verse 11); the human structure rests on it. Peter calls us "living stones built for a spiritual house" (1 Peter 2,5). Together we are built up "to a dwelling place of God in the Spirit" (Ephesians 2,22). We are the temple of God, the temple of the Holy Spirit (1. Corinthians 3,17;6,19). It is true that God can be worshiped in any place; but the church has adoration as its central meaning.

We are "God's people," tells us 1. Petrus 2,10. We are what the people of Israel were supposed to be: "the chosen generation, the royal priesthood, the holy people, the people of property" (verse 9; see Exodus 2)9,6). We belong to God because Christ bought us with his blood (Revelation 5,9). We are God's children, he is our father (Ephesians 3,15). We have had a great legacy as children and in return we are expected to please him and live up to his name.

The Scriptures also call us the Bride of Christ - a name that resonates with how much Christ loves us and what deep change takes place in us so that we can have such a close relationship with the Son of God. In many of his parables, Jesus invites people to the wedding feast; Here we are invited to be the bride.

“Let us rejoice and be happy and do him honor; for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his bride has prepared "(Revelation 19,7). How do we "prepare" ourselves? By a gift: "And it was given to her to dress herself with beautiful, pure linen" (verse 8). Christ cleanses us "through the bath of water in the Word" (Ephesians 5,26). He puts the church before him after making it glorious and spotless, holy and blameless (v. 27). He works in us.

Working together

The symbol that best illustrates how parishioners should behave towards one another is that of the body. "But you are the body of Christ," writes Paul, "and each of you is a member" (1. Corinthians 12,27). Jesus Christ "is the head of the body, namely of the church" (Colossians 1,18), and we are all members of the body. When we are united with Christ, we are also united with one another, and we are - in the truest sense - committed to one another. No one can say, "I do not need you" (1. Corinthians 12,21), no one can say they have nothing to do with the church (v. 18). God distributes our gifts so that we may work together for mutual benefit and so that we may help and receive help in working together. There should be "no division" in the body (v. 25). Paul often polemics against the party spirit; whoever sows discord should even be expelled from the church (Romans 16,17; titus 3,10-11). God lets the church "grow in all parts" in that "each member supports the other according to the measure of its strength" (Ephesians 4,16). Unfortunately, the Christian world is divided into denominations, which are not infrequently feuding with one another. The church is not yet perfect because none of its members are perfect. Nevertheless: Christ wants a unified church (John 17,21). This does not have to mean an organizational merger, but it does require a common goal. True unity can only be found by striving for ever greater closeness to Christ, preaching Christ's gospel, living according to his principles. The goal is to propagate him, not ourselves. However, having different denominations also has an advantage: Through different approaches, the message of Christ reaches more people in a way they can understand.

Organization

There are three basic forms of church organization and constitution in the Christian world: hierarchical, democratic and representative. They are called episcopal, congregational and presbyterial.

Each basic type has its varieties, but in principle, the episcopal model means that a senior shepherd has the power to determine church principles and ordain pastors. In the congregational model, the churches themselves determine these two factors. In the presbyterian system, power is divided between denomination and the church; Elders are chosen who are given competences.

The New Testament does not prescribe a special congregation or church structure. It speaks of overseers (bishops), elders and shepherds (pastors), although these official titles seem quite interchangeable. Peter commands elders to exercise shepherds and overseers: "Feed the flock ... take care of them" (1 Peter 5,1-2). In similar words, Paul gives the same instructions to elders (Acts 20,17:28, ).

The Jerusalem church was led by a group of elders; the parish at Philippi of bishops (Acts 15,1-2; Philippians 1,1). Paul left Titus in Crete so that he should appoint elders there; he writes one verse about elders and several about bishops, as if they were synonymous terms for parish councils (Titus 1,5-9). In the Letter to the Hebrews (13,7, Quantity and Elberfeld Bible) the community leaders are simply called "leaders". At this point Luther translates "Führer" with "Teacher", a term that also appears frequently (1. Corinthians 12,29; James 3,1). The grammar of Ephesians 4,11 indicates that "shepherds" and "teachers" belonged to the same category. One of the main qualifications of ministers in the church had to be that they "... are able to teach others" (2 Tim2,2).

The common denominator is: community leaders were appointed. There was a certain degree of community organization, although the exact official titles were rather secondary. The members were required to show respect and obedience to the officials (1Thess 5,12; 1. Timothy 5,17; Hebrews 13,17).

If the elder commands something wrong, the church should not obey; but normally it was expected that the church would support the elder. What do elders do? You are in charge of the community (1. Timothy 5,17). They tend the flock, they lead by example and teaching. They watch over the flock (Acts 20,28:1). They are not supposed to rule dictatorially, but serve ( Peter 5,23), »That the saints may be prepared for the work of service. Through this the body of Christ is to be built »(Ephesians 4,12How are elders determined? In a few cases we get information: Paul appoints elders (Acts 14,23), assumes that Timothy appoints bishops (1. Timothy 3,1-7), and authorized Titus to appoint elders (Titus 1,5). In any case, there was a hierarchy in these cases. We do not find any examples of how a congregation chooses its own elders.

deacons

However, we see in Acts 6,1-6, how so-called poor carers are elected by the community. These men were chosen to distribute food to those in need, and the apostles then installed them in these offices. This allowed the apostles to focus on the spiritual work, and the physical work was also done (v. 2). This distinction between spiritual and physical church work can also be found in 1. Petrus 4,10.

Officials for manual work are often called deacons, from the Greek diakoneo, to serve. In principle, all members and leaders should "serve", but there were separate representatives for serving tasks in the narrower sense. Female deacons are also mentioned in at least one place (Romans 16,1).

Paul gives Timothy a number of qualities a deacon must possess (1 Tim3,8-12), without specifying exactly what their service consisted of. As a result, different denominations give the deacons different tasks, ranging from hall attendant to financial accounting. What is important for leadership positions is not the name, not their structure, nor the way in which they are filled. Their meaning and purpose is important: to help the people of God in their maturation "to the full measure of the fullness of Christ" (Ephesians 4,13).

Sense of the community

Christ built his church, he gave gifts and guidance to his people, and he gave us work. One of the main purposes of ecclesiastical community is worship, cult. God has called us "that you should proclaim the benefits of him who called you from darkness to his marvelous light" (1 Peter 2,9). God is looking for people who will worship him (John 4,23) who love him more than anything else (Matthew 4,10). Whatever we do, whether as individuals or as a community, should always be done in his honor (1. Corinthians 10,31). We are to "offer praise to God at all times" (Hebrews 13,15).

We are commanded: "Encourage one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs" (Ephesians 5,19). When we gather as a church, we sing God's praises, pray to Him, and hear His word. These are forms of worship. Likewise the supper, likewise the baptism, likewise the obedience.

Another purpose of the church is teaching. It is at the heart of the commandment: "Teach them to keep all that I have commanded you" (Matthew 2 Cor8,20). Church leaders should teach, and each member should teach the others (Colossians 3,16). We should admonish one another (1. Corinthians 14,31; 1Thess 5,11; Hebrews 10,25). Small groups are the ideal setting for this mutual support and teaching.

Paul says that those who seek gifts of the Spirit should seek to build up the church (1. Corinthians 14,12). The goal is: edify, admonish, strengthen, comfort (verse 3). Everything that happens in the congregation is said to be edifying to the church (v. 26). We should be disciples, people who get to know and apply the word of God. The early Christians were praised because they "continued" "in the teaching of the apostles and in community and in breaking bread and in prayer" (Acts of the Apostles 2,42).

A third main sense of the church is "social service". "Therefore, let us do good to everyone, but mostly to those who share the faith", demands Paul (Galatians 6,10). First of all, our commitment is to our family, then to the community, and then to the world around us. The second highest commandment is: love your neighbor (Matthew 22,39). Our world has many physical needs and we shouldn't ignore them. But most of all it needs the gospel, and we shouldn't ignore that either. As part of our "" social service, the church should preach the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ. No other organization does this work - it is the job of the church. Every worker is needed for this - some on the "front", others in the "stage". Some plant, others fertilize, others reap; if we work together, Christ will grow the Church (Ephesians 4,16).

by Michael Morrison