During the
Gospels, the 'church' was a synagogue, and Jesus preached & taught
in them quite often - and even on the Sabbath.
Mark 1:21;
6:2
Luke 4:16
- his custom
Then we see
in Matthew 16:13-20
that Christ will build his church on what Peter believed, as it was taught
by God, not by flesh & blood.
It makes sense
that the church that Christ was going to be the head of during the Dispensation
of Grace with Paul would not start until the death of Christ.
Hebrews
9:14-17.
Immediately
after the resurrection, the church design is described in Acts
2:42-47. This is the church that
Peter and the apostles were to 'build' as they were to go unto all the
world with what Christians call the Great Commission with all the signs
and healings, etc. following.
Church based
on Apostles Doctrine:
-
And they
continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking
of bread, and in prayers.
-
And fear
came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.
-
And all
that believed were together, and had all things common;
-
And sold
their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had
need.
-
And they,
continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from
house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,
-
Praising
God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church
daily such as should be saved.
|
With Christ
being our foundation as laid by Paul, we then see that Paul is our masterbuilder
Philippians
4:9
I Corinthians
3:10
Christ and
the church is a great mystery!
Ephesians
5:23-32
-
Christ is the
head of the church!
-
The church is
subject unto Christ!
-
Christ loved the
church, and gave himself for it.
-
It is sanctified
and cleansed with the washing of water by the word.
-
Christ will present
the church to himself as a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle,
or any such thing; that that it should be holy and without blemish.
-
Christ nourisheth
and cherisheth the church.
-
We are members
of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. This is a reason that
we needed to be spiritually circumcised (Colossians
2:11-16)
Purpose and
Goal of the 'local church' as a pattern of what Christ has done with
the 'universal' / 'invisible' church.
Ephesians
4:11-16
-
Perfecting of
the saints
-
The work of the
ministry
-
Edifying of the
body of Christ
-
Till...
-
come in the unity
of the faith
-
come of the knowledge
of the Son of God
-
come unto a perfect
man
-
come unto the
measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ
-
Be nor more children,
tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the
sleight of men, and cunning craftiness whereby they lie in wait to deceive.
-
Speaking the truth
in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ.
-
The whole body
fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth...
|
