The Nature of the Universal Church: Chapter 2

1
The Nature of the Universal Church Chapter 2
2
Introduction

• Greek word for church is ecclesia (assembly of
  persons)
• 115 Occurrences of church in NT
• Mob (Acts 1932,39,41)
• Jewish gathering (Acts 738 Heb. 212)
• Universal local church (Acts 2028 1 Cor. 12
  1032 1213 etc)

3
The Biblical Basis for the Nature of the
Universal Church

• Mt. 1616-18
• Acts 2028
• 1 Cor. 1213
• Colossians
• Ephesians

4
The Biblical Basis for the Nature of the
Universal Church

• To the church of God universal aspect in
  Corinth the local manifestation, to those
  sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be holy,
  together with all those everywhere who call on
  the name of our Lord Jesus Christtheir Lord and
  ours. (1 Cor. 12)

5
Biblical References to the Universal Church

• Jesus said, on this rock I will build my
  church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome
  it. (Mt. 1618)
• Cf. 1 Cor. 12 Gal. 11-2
• Acts 15
• 1 Cor. 1213
• Acts 10

6
Biblical References to the Universal Church

• the Lord added to the church daily those who
  were being saved. (Acts 247) (NKJV)
• Great fear seized the whole church and all who
  heard about these events. (Acts 511)
• Acts 214, 41 44
• 1 Cor. 1213

7
Biblical References to the Universal Church

• But Saul began to destroy the church. Going
  from house to house, he dragged off men and women
  and put them in prison. (Acts 83)
• Acts 94 He fell to the ground and heard a
  voice say to him, Saul, Saul, who do you
  persecute me? (Acts 94)
• 1 Cor. 159, cf. Gal. 122

8
Biblical References to the Universal Church

• Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of
  which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be
  shepherds of the church of God, which he bought
  with his own blood.
• (Acts 2028, cf. Eph. 525)

9
Biblical References to the Universal Church

• Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the
  churches of Christ send greetings. (Romans
  1616)
• cf. 1 Cor. 12, 2 2 Cor. 11 1 Thes. 214

10
Biblical References to the Universal Church

• To the church of God in Corinth, to those
  sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be holy,
  together with all those everywhere who call on
  the name of our Lord Jesus Christtheir Lord and
  ours. (1 Cor. 12)

11
Biblical References to the Universal Church

• Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of
  God, and Timothy our brother, to the church of
  God in Corinth, together with all the saints
  throughout Achaia. (2 Cor. 11)

12
Biblical References to the Universal Church

• Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews,
  Greeks or the church of God . . . (1 Cor. 1032)

13
Biblical References to the Universal Church

• For also in the power of one Spirit we have all
  been baptized into one body, whether Jews or
  Greeks, whether bondmen or free, and have all
  been given to drink of one Spirit. (1 Cor.
  1213)
• Now you are the Body of Christ, and each one of
  you is a part of it.
• (1 Cor. 1227)

14
Biblical References to the Universal Church

• in the church God has appointed first of all
  apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then
  workers of miracles, also those having gifts of
  healing, those able to help others, those with
  gifts of administration, and those speaking in
  different kinds of tongues. (1 Cor. 1228)

15
Biblical References to the Universal Church

• And God placed all things under his feet and
  appointed him to be head over everything for the
  church, which is his body, the fullness of him
  who fills everything in every way. (Eph.
  122-23)

16
Biblical References to the Universal Church

• His intent was that now, through the church, the
  manifold wisdom of God should be made known to
  the rulers and authorities in the heavenly
  realms. . . (Eph. 310)
• Reference is to the church, not a church.

17
Biblical References to the Universal Church

• to him be glory in the church and in Christ
  Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and
  ever! Amen. (Eph. 321)

18
Biblical References to the Universal Church

• For the husband is the head of the wife as
  Christ is the head of the church, his body, of
  which he is the Savior. Now as the church
  submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to
  their husbands in everything. Husbands, love
  your wives, just as Christ loved the church and
  gave himself up for her to make her holy,
  cleansing her by the washing with water through
  the word, (cont.)

19
Biblical References to the Universal Church

• and to present her to himself as a radiant
  church, without stain or wrinkle or any other
  blemish, but holy and blameless . . . He who
  loves his wife loves himself. After all, no one
  ever hated his own body, but he feeds and cares
  for it, just as Christ does the churchfor we are
  members of his body. . . This is a profound
  mysterybut I am talking about Christ and the
  church. (Eph. 523-32, 5 times)

20
Biblical References to the Universal Church

• And he is the head of the body, the church he
  is the beginning and the firstborn from among the
  dead, so that in everything he might have the
  supremacy. (Col. 118)

21
Biblical References to the Universal Church

• Now I rejoice in what was suffered for you, and
  I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in
  regard to Christs afflictions, for the sake of
  his body, which is the church. (Col. 124)
• Rom. 56-8 18-19

22
Biblical References to the Universal Church

• You have come to thousands upon thousands of
  angels in joyful assembly, to the church of the
  firstborn, whose names are written in heaven.
  You have come to God, the judge of all men, to
  the spirits of righteous men made perfect, to
  Jesus the Mediator of a new covenant, and to the
  sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than
  the blood of Abel. (Heb. 1223)
• Eph. 14
• Rom. 829
• Rev. 138

23
Other Terms for the Church

• The Body of Christ
• The Bride of Christ
• The Wife of Christ
• The Firstborn of Christ
• The Building of Christ
• A Spiritual House
• A Holy Priesthood
• A Royal Priesthood
• A Chosen People
• A Special People
• A Flock

24
Other Terms for the Church

• The Body of Christ
• Greek soma (cf. Rom. 124,5 1 Cor. 1016,17
  1212-27 Eph. 123 etc.)
• Paul said God has . . .put all things under his
  feet, and gave him to be the head over all things
  to the church, which is his body, the fullness of
  him that filleth all in all. (Eph. 122-23 KJV)
• Col. 124 KJV

25
Other Terms for the Church

• The Body of Christ
• Body (soma) used of church, both visible and
  invisible.
• 1 Cor. 1212-27
• One body (12-13)
• Diversity of (14-20)
• Universality (13)
• Mutuality (21-27)
• Visibility (cf. Phil. 214-16 2 Cor. 104-5)
• Spirituality

26
Other Terms for the Church

• The Bride of Christ
• John wrote of One of the seven angels who had
  the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues
  came and said to me, Come, I will show you the
  bride, the wife of the Lamb. (Rev.219)
• I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming
  down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride
  beautifully dressed for her husband. (Rev.
  212)
• Rev. 197 221 2 Cor. 112

27
Other Terms for the Church

• The Wife of Christ
• Now as the church submits to Christ, so also
  wives should submit to their husbands in
  everything. Husbands, love your wives, just as
  Christ loved the church and gave himself up for
  her.
• (Eph. 524-25 cf. Rev. 219)

28
Other Terms for the Church

• The Firstborn of Christ
• . . .the church of the firstborn, whose names
  are written heaven. You have come to God, the
  judge of all men, to the spirits of righteous men
  made perfect. (Heb. 1223)
• the Mediator of the new covenant. (Heb. 1224)
• Col. 118

29
Other Terms for the Church

• The Building of Christ
• Chief Cornerstone (Eph. 220
• cf. 1 Peter 27)
• You also, like living stones, are being built
  into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood,
  offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God
  through Jesus Christ. (1 Peter 25)

30
Other Terms for the Church

• A Spiritual House
• You also, like living stones, are being built
  into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood,
  offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God
  through Jesus Christ. (1 Peter 25)

31
Other Terms for the Church

• A Holy Priesthood
• You also, like living stones, are being built
  into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood,
  offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God
  through Jesus Christ. (1 Peter 25)
• We have a great High Priest who ever lives to
  make intercession for us.
• (Heb. 725)

32
Other Terms for the Church

• A Royal Priesthood
• A royal priesthood (1Peter 25)
• You have made them to be a kingdom and priests
  to serve our God, and they will reign on the
  earth. (Rev. 510)

33
Other Terms for the Church

• A Chosen People
• But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood,
  a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that
  you may declare the praises of him who called you
  out of darkness into his wonderful light.
• (1 Peter 29)
• For he chose us in him before the creation of
  the world to be holy and blameless in his sight.
  (Eph. 14)

34
Other Terms for the Church

• A Special People
• Once you were not a people, but now you are the
  people of God once you had not received mercy,
  but now you have received mercy. (1 Peter 210)

35
Other Terms for the Church

• A Flock (cf. Psa. 23)
• Jesus spoke of Himself as the Good Shepherd and
  believers as His Sheep
• (Jn. 10)
• Feed My Sheep. (Jn. 211517)
• Acts 2028
• And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will
  receive the crown of glory that will never fade
  away. (1 Peter 51-4)

36
Other Terms Relating Christ and His Church

• Cornerstone/Temple (Eph. 220-21)
• Beloved/Virgin (2 Cor. 112)
• Ruler/City (Rev. 219-10)
• Owner/Possession (Titus 214)
• Firstborn/Household (Eph. 219)
• Creator/New Creation (2 Cor. 521)
• Heir/Inheritance (Eph. 118)
• Vine/Branches (Jn. 151)

37
Conclusions About the Universal Church

• The Universal Church is Eternal
• The Universal Church is Invisible
• The Universal Church is Increasable
• The Universal Church is Indivisible
• The Universal Church is Invincible
• The Universal Church is Doxological

38
Conclusions About the Universal Church (cont.)

• The Universal Church is Apostolic
• The Universal Church is Ethnically Neutral
• The Universal Church is Regenerate
• The Universal Church is Spiritually Equal
• The Invisible Church is Universal
• The Universal Church is Original

39
The Universal Church is Eternal

• Christ is eternal, and the universal Church was
  chosen in Christ before the foundation of the
  world. (Eph. 14)
• Mt. 316-17
• . . .we speak of Gods secret wisdom that has
  been hidden and that God destined for our glory
  before time began. (1 Cor. 27)
• 2 Tim. 19 Titus 12 Eph. 14

40
The Universal Church is Invisible

• . . .the general assembly, the church of the
  firstborn, whose names are written in heaven.
  You have come to God, the judge of all men, to
  the spirits of righteous men made perfect. . .
  (Heb. 1223)
• Dear friends, now we are children of God, and
  what we will be has not yet been made known. But
  we know that when he appears, we shall be like
  him, for we shall see him as he is. (1 Jn. 32)

41
The Universal Church is Invisible

• The universal Church is
• Not a visible organization rather
• It is an invisible organism

42
The Universal Church is Increasable

• The Lord added to the church. . .
• (Acts 247)
• Christ . . .the Head, from whom the whole body,
  supported and held together by its ligaments and
  sinews, grows as God causes it to grow.
  (Colossians 219)
• . . .him who is the Head, that is Christ. From
  him the whole body, joined and held together by
  every supporting ligament, grows and builds
  itself up in love, as each part does its work.
  (Ephesians 415-16)

43
The Universal Church is Indivisible

• Paul urged believers to keep the unity of the
  Spirit in the church, but it is God who made
  this unity.
• Make every effort to keep the unity of the
  Spirit through the bond of peace. (Eph. 42)
• By one Spirit we were baptized into one body.
  (Eph. 44, cf. 1 Cor. 1213)

44
The Universal Church is Indivisible

• A clear distinction should be drawn between four
  closely allied concepts Unanimity, uniformity,
  union, and unity. (Tenney, GJ, 248-249)

45
The Universal Church is Indivisible

• Unanimity means absolute concord of opinion
  within a given group of people.
• Uniformity is complete similarity of
  organization or of ritual.
• Union implies political affiliation without
  necessarily including individual agreement.
• Unity requires oneness of inner heart and
  essential purpose, through the possession of a
  common interest or a common life.

46
The Universal Church is Invincible

• After Peter confessed, You are the Christ, the
  Son of the Living God, Jesus said, I tell you
  that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build
  my church, and the gates of Hades will not
  overcome it.
• (cf. Eph. 39-11)
• Today Church Militant
• Ultimately Church Triumphant

47
The Universal Church is Doxological

• Paul said, So whether you eat or drink or
  whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.
  (1 Cor. 1031)
• The angels sang at Christs birth, Glory to God
  in the highest. (Lk. 214)
• Paul declared, To him be the glory forever!
  Amen. (Rom. 1136)
• Rev. 49
• Rev. 512

48
The Universal Church is Apostolic

• Along with Christ the Chief Cornerstone, the
  Church was built on the foundation of the
• apostles . . . (Eph. 220)
• Apostles received special signs of an apostle.
  (2 Cor. 1212)
• Then, believers received, the gift of the Holy
  Spirit. (Acts 238)
• Later, the baptism of the Holy Spirit on the
  Gentiles as, the Holy Spirit came on all who
  heard the message. (Acts 1044-46)

49
The Universal Church is Apostolic

• After the Day of Pentecost, baptism of the Holy
  Spirit administered by God only through the
  apostles. (Col. 123 2 Cor. 1212 Eph. 220)
• Early church was established in the apostles
  doctrine. (Acts 242)
• Apostles had authoritative role in early church.
  (Acts 51f 1 Cor. 51f Titus 15 Acts
  151,3,6,22)

50
The Universal Church is Apostolic

• Apostles gradually established self-governing
  local churches, leaving written authority to
  replace their living authority. (Col. 416 1
  Thes. 527 Rev. 13-4)
• Peter spoke of, . . .our dear brother Paul also
  wrote you with the wisdom that God gave him. He
  writes the same way in all his letters, speaking
  in them of these matters . . . (2 Peter
  315-16)

51
The Universal Church is Ethnically Neutral

• For in Christ There is neither Jew nor Greek,
  slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all
  one in Christ Jesus. (Gal. 328)

52
The Universal Church is Regenerate

• Universal Church all saved and only saved
  persons are in it.
• Local Church has both wheat and tares.
• Wolves. (Acts 2028-29)
• False Brethren (Gal. 328)
• Unbelieving persons (1 Cor. 1423)
• Certain men who crept in. (Jude 4)

53
The Universal Church is Spiritually Equal

• God elected Israel as chosen nation. (Gen.
  121-3)
• Mystery of Church was how Gentiles could be
  co-heirs with Jews of Gods spiritual blessings.
  (Col 127)
• This mystery is that through the gospel the
  Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members
  together of one body, and sharers together in the
  promise in Christ Jesus. (Eph. 36)
• For His purpose was to create in himself one new
  man out of the two, thus making peace . . .
  (Eph. 211-16)

54
The Invisible Church is Universal

• Will never be a truly catholic (universal) church
  (other than early post Pentecost Church in
  Jerusalem).
• Only true catholic church today is the spiritual
  Body of Christ which is made of all true
  believers.
• Can only refer to many self-governing,
  independent churches based on NT teaching in a
  general collective sense. (Rom. 164,16 1 Cor.
  717 1116 1433,34 161, 19 2 Cor. 81, 18,
  19, 23, 24 118, 28 1213 Gal. 12, 22 1
  Thes. 214 2 Thes. 14)

55
The Universal Church is Original

• In reading this, then, you will be able to
  understand my insight into the mystery of Christ,
  which was not made known to men in other
  generations as it has now been revealed by the
  Spirit to Gods holy apostles and prophets.
  (Eph. 35)
• The mystery that has been kept hidden for ages
  and generations, but is now disclosed to the
  saints. (Col. 126)

56
The Universal Church is Original

• Now to him who is able to establish you by my
  gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ,
  according to the revelation of the mystery hidden
  for long ages past, but now revealed and make
  known through the NT prophetic writings by the
  command of the eternal God, so that all nations
  might believe and obey him . . . (Romans
  1625-26)

57
The Universal Church is Original

• First, it was hidden for long ages and only
  now (in NT times) made known.
• Second, since it is now revealed and made known
  through the prophetic writings, these writings
  must be by NT prophets. (Eph. 220)

58
The Universal Church is Original

• Not that Gentiles would be blessed and saved, but
  how Jew and Gentile would be on same spiritual
  level in one new body. (Gen. 123 Isa. 26,
  496, etc.)
• To them God has chosen to make known among the
  Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery,
  which is Christ in you Gentiles, the hope of
  glory. (Col. 127)
• This mystery is that through the gospel the
  Gentiles are heirs together with Israel (Eph.
  36)

59
The Universal Church is Original

• New Testament Church, known as the body of
  Christ, did not exist before time of Christ.
• Church not known in OT times. (Eph. 53-6)
• Church was yet future. (Mt. 1616-18)
• His church did not begin before His time. (Mt.
  1618)
• Foundation of Church not completed until after
  Christs time. (Eph. 220)
• Ecclesia (OT) does not identify Israel with the
  NT church. (Acts 738 Heb. 212)
• Church did not begin until after Christs death
  resurrection. (Acts 2028 Eph. 48-11)

60
The Universal Church is Original

• New Testament Church, known as the body of
  Christ, did not exist before time of Christ.
• Church began at Pentecost by the baptism of the
  Holy Spirit. (1 Cor. 1213, cf. Acts 15)
• Peter pointed to beginning of Church as
  Pentecost. (Acts 1115)
• Gifts needed to operate Church were not given
  until after Christ ascended. (Eph. 411-12, cf.
  1 Cor. 124f)

61
The Universal Church is Original

• An original work of God, the Church is not a
  continuation of Israel in spiritual sense. (Rom.
  9-11)
• Jesus never denied there will be a future kingdom
  for Israel, but said the times were in Gods
  hands. (Acts 16-7 Mt. 1928 Gen. 1213-15
  1518-21)
• Disciples asked Jesus Lord, are you at this
  time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?
  (Acts 16, cf. Acts 1513-16)
• Jesus replied It is not for you to know the
  times or dates the Father has set for restoring
  the kingdom to Israel by his own authority.
  (Acts 17-8)

62
The Universal Church is Original

• After the Church began, this future literal
  kingdom was offered by Peter to Israel.
• Peter said to the Men of Israel who had killed
  Jesus and for their rules, Repent, then, and
  turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out,
  that times of refreshing may come from the Lord,
  and that he may send the Christ, who has been
  appointed for youeven Jesus. He must remain in
  heaven until the time comes for God to restore
  everything, as he promised long ago through his
  holy prophets. (Acts 319-21)

63
The Universal Church is Original

• The nation of Israel will yet be restored to its
  place of blessing under God. (Rom. 11)
• Paul speaks clearly of a future literal Israel
• Israels past blessings (Rom. 9)
• Israels present rejection (Rom. 10)
• Israels future national restoration (Rom. 11)
• He calls them
• my own race (Rom. 93)
• the people of Israel (Rom. 94)
• the Israelites (Rom. 101)

64
The Universal Church is Original

• Book of Revelation speaks of a role for the
  nation of Israel in the last days before Christs
  return. John wrote Then I heard the number of
  those who were sealed 144,000 from all the
  tribes of Israel. (Rev. 79)

65
Theological Basis for Nature of Church

• Nature of the Church is rooted in very nature and
  will of God.
• God is eternal and willed before all time that
  Jews and Gentiles would be co-heirs in one body,
  the Church.
• God is immutable. His will to create the Church
  cannot be changed.
• God is omniscience He can see the end he desires.
• By His omni sapience, he ordained the best means
  to His end.
• By His sovereign omnipotent power, He achieved
  this plan.

66
Universal Church
Local Church
Invisible One Church An Organism Only saved
members Dead and living members Whole Body of
Christ Christ is Visible Head No Elders or
Deacons No ordinances No Denominations Indestructi
ble
Visible Many Churches An Organization Saved and
lost members Only living members Only part of
Body of Christ Christ is Invisible Head Elders
and Deacons Two ordinances Many
denominations Destructible