What do you think of when someone uses the word “church”? Do you think of your grandma, or your mother? Do you think of a place that is supposed to be full of good people, but is really full of people just pretending to be good? Or, do you just yawn? Most people think of what their experience has been with what they call “church”.
But if the Church is supposed to be about God, what does God, or His word, have to say about it? What does the Bible say about the Church?
Built on the Rock
Matthew 16:18 says, “And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and gates of Hell shall not prevail against it.” This is Jesus speaking. He has just asked his disciples who they think he is, and Peter has just answered that Jesus is the Christ (Messiah), the Son of the living God. Jesus tells him that flesh and blood did not reveal this to him, but the Father in heaven. The name Peter means “stone” and many times people think that Jesus is building his church on Peter, but “this rock” Jesus is referring to is the statement of faith, that Jesus is God and Messiah. He says that the gates of Hell will not prevail against it. That’s a pretty powerful statement! Gates are a defensive weapon, which means the church is on the offense against the gates of Hell.
Does that mean Christians should be pushy and aggressive in their zeal to “win converts”? No, Jesus did not condemn people, but invited them to follow him. Christians are to do the same. But the Church is on the offensive against spiritual forces of evil. We’ll talk about that in another article.
Wheat and tares
Also in Matthew, Jesus tells a parable about a farmer who sows some good wheat (Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43), but an enemy comes and sows tares (weeds) among the wheat. That is an allusion to the fact that the church will be full of righteous people (people who are right with God) and people who don’t know God. They may look righteous, but they aren’t. God will sort them out in the end.
It is not up to any of us to judge whether someone is a “true” Christian or not. We are not infallible – God is the only one who can judge that.
Loving each other
After Jesus is raised from the dead and ascends into heaven, the church starts its work. The book of Acts is an account of the early church. Acts 2:42-47 says “And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in breaking of bread, and in prayers. Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need. So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.” This was not a commune, but rather, people putting others before themselves and sharing as others had needs.
You may never have seen a church like that, but they do exist! When Christians have the Spirit of God they love each other, and are glad to share with each other. There should never be those in need within a church body. And besides sharing, they enjoy each other’s company, and accept each other just as they are. That’s a really hard thing to do because we are all at different places in life and carry different baggage. In fact, it’s impossible for us to do without God’s help. But the Spirit of God in you connects with the Spirit of God in me and enables us to love each other anyway! What an awesome mystery!
Body of Christ
The apostle Paul, in several of his letters (Romans 12:5, I Cor 12:12, Col 1:24), speaks of the church as being the body of Christ, where all members have different gifts and purposes, but all being part of the same body (like your ear and your foot have different uses, but both are important to the body).
Sometimes people can feel like they have nothing to offer God. But God has given everyone their own gifts to use in service to him. Some may be high profile and others may be more humble, but they are all essential!
Bride of Christ
John the Baptist said (John 3:28-30): “You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, ‘I am not the Christ,’ but, I have been sent before Him. He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore, this joy of mine is fulfilled. He must increase, but I must decrease.” The church is called the bride of Christ in a number of places in the Bible.
It’s weird to think of Christians as being the “bride” of Christ, but the Bible uses that terminology a number of times to symbolically represent the union of Jesus with his Church. It even talks about a huge wedding feast that takes place in Heaven when the Church is united with Jesus! (see Revelation 19) I can’t wait!
Called out of darkness
Peter, in his letter to the Christians that had been scattered because of persecution, writes: “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.” (1Peter 2:9-10)
We are all called out of darkness and into the light – we have all rebelled against God. But we can all be part of his plan to put things right again and we can have a relationship with the God of the universe!
Not a club
The Church of Jesus Christ is not a building. Neither is it a club. It is not people who just meet together because they have similar political views. It is not even people who meet to discuss theology. It is the Bride and Body of Christ Himself. The purpose of the Church is to disciple, fellowship with, and care for one another, so that each one can walk with Christ in the work that He has prepared for them.
I know that is not the first impression a visitor may get from a church service, but that is what the Church is all about. Churches are made up of imperfect people, and even some people who don’t know Jesus. But Jesus has given us His Spirit to guide us and teach us all things (John 14: 26), so be careful to find a church that is fulfilling its purpose – where the Bible is taught and their love for each other is evident.