THE CHURCH

                       

                                                        

TEXT: ACTS 2:47     

Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

TOPIC: THE CHURCH

           The term church is derived from a Greek word EKKLESIA, ekklesia means the called out. Understanding the definition of Ekklesia is an important component of understanding the church. Ekklesia is a Greek word defined as “a called-out assembly or congregation.” Ekklesia is commonly translated as church in the New Testament. For example, Acts 11:26 says that “Barnabas and Saul met with the church (Ekklesia)” in Antioch. And in 1 Corinthians 15:9 Paul says that he had persecuted the church (Ekklesia) of God. The “called-out assembly”, then, is a congregation of believers whom God has called out of the world and “into His wonderful light” (1 Peter 2:9). The Greek ekklesia is the basis for our English word ecclesiastical (pertaining to the church) and ecclesiology (the study of doctrine concerning the church).

            The word in the New Testament was also used to refer to any assembly of people. In his address to the Sahedrin, Stephen calls the people of Israel “the assembly (Ekklesia) in the wilderness” Acts 7:38. And in Acts 19:39, ekklesia refers to a convening of citizens to discuss legal matters. However, in most contexts, the word ekklesia is used to refer to the people who comprise the New Testament church. It is important that the church today understand the definition of ekklesia. The church needs to see itself as being “called out” by God. If the church wants to make a difference in the world, it must be different from the world.

           English dictionaries defined church as a religious building especially Christian religion, these English definitions make us think physical buildings are the Church of Christ.  Church as intended in the Bible is group of called out people.

          Eph 5:25-27

"25 Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her,

26 So that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the Word,

27 That He might present the church to Himself in glorious splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such things [that she might be holy and faultless."

                Church as used by apostle Paul in the above text are Christians, so, to the early Christians, church is not a building but group of called out people. Jesus Christ would present Christians to God and not the buildings we call church today. After establishing that church is group of called out people, that is Christians, the next question is  how do we know if we are really Christians/part of the called out people? As part of the church/called out people, what are the things or characteristics that must be evident in my life? To answer these questions, I will point out two characteristics of the early church.

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE EARLY CHURCH

1.       THE EARLY CHURCH LEFT ALL

     Mark 10:28-30

"28 Then Peter began to say unto him, Lo, we have left all, and have followed thee.

29 And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel's,

30 But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life."

The early apostles were the first church because Jesus Christ called them out from the world to follow Him, the above statement of Apostle Peter confirmed that the twelve apostles left everything they had to follow Jesus Christ. In Matthew 4:18-22, Simon peter left his boat and fish nets while James and John left their father to follow Jesus Christ.

The first thing  church/Christians must do is to leave everything to follow Christ, as peter left his boat and fishing net, Christians must leave shady jobs or dealings that wouldn’t allow them to fully follow Christ. And just as James and John left their father, Christians must avoid ungodly relationships, any relative who doesn’t support your faith should be ignored.

               Heb 11:27

 "By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible."

           Moses forsook Egypt to follow and serve the God of his fathers, our own Egypt is this world. Just as Moses forsook Egypt, church must forsake this world in order to serve God the way He wants. Everything in this world, the lust of the eyes, lust of the flesh and pride of life are contradictory to God’s purpose.
 

           If you are really part of the church/called out people, you would not find it difficult/hard to drop anything for God. The fact that we have problem dropping some things for God suggests we have not forsaken the world or understand what being a Christian entails. You have problem with your church/local assembly’s doctrine because you are not yet part of the church, church is always ready to follow Christ at any expense.

Since church/called out people are already out of this world nothing of this world is of value to them, so, leaving it will never be difficult or controversial.

         Notice apostle peter’s statement in Mark 10:28 “Then Peter began to say unto him, Lo, we have left all, and have followed thee”, they all left all. You are not qualified to be called a called out until you have left all. Left all as used in this context means the twelve had no other ambition in life than to follow and please Jesus Christ just as church has no other purpose in this world than to please God. Then, if pleasing God is your priority, you would not find it hard to forsake that ungodly relationships, immoral behaviors, bad habits, and sinful acts.

        Today, we want to be in the kingdom/church and at the same time partake in worldly things, forgetting we have been called out of the world. Is there any worldly thing you find difficult to drop for God? Drop it today for you are a called out.

2.       They Followed Jesus Christ daily

         The early apostles and church followed Jesus Christ daily, the twelve disciples were always around Jesus Christ, listening and asking Him questions. It is even recorded in the book of Acts of Apostles that the early church met daily to fellowship and share bread. Though, we have no physical access to Jesus Christ like the early apostles, Jesus Christ gave us himself in His word that is Holy Bible. Just as the early apostles were always with Jesus Christ, the church of today should always be with Jesus. These apostles followed Jesus christ when it was convenient and when it wasn’t, these people were human but I didn’t see in the scripture where anyone of them complained of weariness. I see here that I have no excuse not to serve God and follow Him daily.

        Today, we have Christians who listen to God’s word only on Sundays, Christians who don’t have personal time to study the scripture. A called out would give his/her best time to studying and meditating in the scripture because he/she knows in the scripture lies his/her strength, success and eternal life. You don’t create time for God because you don’t know you are a called out.

        Salt is different from the food it flavors. God has called the church to be separate from sin (1 peter 1:16), to embrace fellowship with other believers (Acts 2:42), and to be a light to the world (Matthew 5:14). God has graciously called us unto Himself: “come out from them and be separate,” says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you (2 corinthians 6:17).

SHALOM