The Christian Church - Introduction

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The Christian Church

Part 1 - Who or What Is the Christian Church?

Article Posted: December 28, 2004 (Revised September 1, 2005)

This is the first article in what will be a series of articles examining the function of the Christian church from a Biblical perspective.

The Church - Introduction

What is the Christian church? There is an abundance of denominational and secular thought concerning this question. However, this article is interested in Biblical definitions and explanations. An exploration of the responsibilities and traditions of the church is beyond the scope of this article. However, church membership requirements will be examined since these reveal the nature of the church.

The Church - Defined

As used in the Bible, the phrase "the church" refers to one of two groups of people:

all of the people who comprise Christ's universal church (essentially, all living Christians), OR
a subset of people from Christ's universal church (in other words, a group of living Christians).

In either case, the church refers to a group of people who have accepted Jesus Christ as Lord. The church is never merely a building; rather it is a body of believers who may or may not meet in some kind of a building.

The following is the opening of a letter Paul wrote to a group of Christians in the city of Corinth. This reveals that a local group of believers could be referred to as the church:
Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother, To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all who in every place call on the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:	I Corinthians 1:1-2 (NKJV)

Here, Paul compares Christ's relationship with the church to the relationship a husband has with his wife. Notice that, in this passage, "the church" refers to the entire body of Christian believers:
Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her,	Ephesians 5:25 (NASB)

The Church - United

The church was (and is) intended to reveal to the world the hope that all Christians share. Unfortunately, denominational laws, traditions, and names promote division and confusion rather than a spirit of Christian unity.

Paul admonishes the church in Corinth to eliminate such divisions.
Now I exhort you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all agree and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be made complete in the same mind and in the same judgment.	I Corinthians 1:10 (NASB)

In reference to denominational labels, Martin Luther, whose followers established the Lutheran church, had this to say:

I ask that men make no reference to my name, and call themselves not Lutherans, but Christians. What is Luther?, my doctrine, I am sure, is not mine, nor have I been crucified for any one. St. Paul, in I Corinthians 1, would not allow Christians to call themselves Pauline or Petrene, but Christian. How then should I, poor, foul carcass that I am, come to have men give to the children of Christ a name derived from my worthless name? No, no, my dear friends: let us abolish all party names, and call ourselves Christians after Him whose doctrine we have.

A Compend of Luther's Theology by Hugh Thomason Kerr (Philadelphia: The Westminster Press, 1943, p. 135)

John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist church, had this wish:

Would to God that all party names, and unscriptural phrases and forms which have divided the Christian world, were forgot and that the very name [Methodist] might never be mentioned more, but be buried in eternal oblivion.

Universal Knowledge: A Dictionary and Encyclopedia of Arts, Science, History, Biography, Law, Literature, Religions, Nations, Races, Customs, and Institutions, Vol. 9 Edited by Edward A. Pace (New York: Universal Knowledge Foundation, 1927, p. 540)

The legendary Baptist preacher, Charles Spurgeon, expressed this view:

I look forward with pleasure to the day when there will not be a Baptist living! I hope that the Baptist name will soon perish, but let Christ's name last forever.

Spurgeon Memorial Library, Vol. I (Spurgeon Memorial Library, p. 168)

Here, Jesus is praying for the unity of His followers. Strong Christian unity testifies to the world about the truth of God's love and of God's plan for His creation. When Christians are united in purpose and hope, Christ's message, rather than the opinions of men and women, is proclaimed!
The glory which You have given Me I have given to them, that they may be one, just as We are one; I in them and You in Me, that they may be perfected in unity, so that the world may know that You sent Me, and loved them, even as You have loved Me.	John 17:22-23 (NASB)

The Church - Spirit-filled and Christ-driven

Of course, striving for unity is easier than achieving unity. True Christian unity only happens when Christ Himself personally directs the thoughts and actions of each and every Christian. God accomplishes this through Christians who wait upon the Holy Spirit to direct their lives.

In the following passage, Paul admonishes people who call themselves Christians to examine themselves to see if they truly are Christians. A person can be a genuine Christian if, and only if, Christ (literally, the spirit of Christ) lives inside of that individual.
Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you—unless indeed you fail the test?	II Corinthians 13:5 (NASB)

The Holy Spirit is a part of the form of God (i.e. the mind of Christ) that lives inside of each Christian.
Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God, For WHO HAS KNOWN THE MIND OF THE LORD, THAT HE WILL INSTRUCT HIM? But we have the mind of Christ.	I Corinthians 2:12, 16 (NASB)

Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?

I Corinthians 3:16 (NASB)

The Church - The Body of Believers

God gives the Holy Spirit (as a temporary gift until heaven itself can be claimed) to those whom Christ adds to His church. Becoming a Christian and being added to the church are different ways of describing the same event. A person does not join Christ's church after becoming a Christian. Rather, the church is the brotherhood (and sisterhood) of all Christians. Therefore, all genuine Christians have the promise of an eternal home in Heaven with God the Creator, possess the Holy Spirit, and belong to Christ's universal church.

Regardless of the person who performs the physical act of baptism upon a believer's body, the Holy Spirit is the One who performs the spiritual baptism that binds all Christians together as one in the body of Christ (the church).
For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.	I Corinthians 12:13 (NASB)

In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God's own possession, to the praise of His glory.

Ephesians 1:13-14 (NASB)

In the following passage, the Apostle Peter is preaching to a large crowd of Jews who have come to Jerusalem from many different nations to celebrate the Jewish festival called Pentecost. The people were amazed because each person was hearing the sermon in his or her native language—the Holy Spirit was causing this to occur. Peter informed the people that the Jesus who had been crucified a few weeks earlier was the Christ (the Messiah prophesied in the Old Testament). Those who accepted Peter's message confessed their conviction in Christ and responded in faith with repentance and Christian baptism. Notice, how these converts were instantly counted as members of the church. This is an important point: a person who is a Christian automatically becomes a member of Christ's church.

"Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ." When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?" Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call." With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, "Save yourselves from this corrupt generation." Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.

Acts 2:36-41 (NIV)

Author's Note: When joining (or transferring membership to) a local church, a person may be asked to attend a membership class or to speak with a minister or staff member. I approve of such attempts by local congregations to ensure that new members understand the Biblical requirements for church membership. However, I am very weary of any local church that requires a person to memorize creeds, take oaths, or perform extra-Biblical rituals for the sake of local church membership. "Grow in Christ" has a whole series of articles on what is necessary to become a Christian (receive salvation) at www.growinchrist.com/101/salvation/index.html for those who might be confused. Remember, the requirements for salvation are the same as those for membership in Christ's church. No local church should add to or subtract from the Bible's instructions.

The Church - Jesus' Loyal Subjects

An examination of the hierarchy of church leadership is beyond the scope of this article. However, one point needs to be made: Jesus Christ, rather than any merely human figure, is the one-and-only head of the Christian Church.

Jesus Christ is the one who builds the church. In other words, Jesus adds people to the church. People do not add people to the church. Sure, Jesus relies on His followers to encourage each other and to draw others to the church. But, Jesus is the only One who has the authority to add people to the church's membership roster.
And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.	Acts 2:47b (NASB)

In the following passage, Jesus explains to His disciples that it is through the efforts of faithful Christians, like Peter, that Jesus builds His church.
I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.	Matthew 16:18 (NASB)

This is just as the Old Testament prophets predicted. Jesus is both the founder and the foundation (i.e. the chief cornerstone) of the church. A local church without Jesus as its leader has no part in Christ's church.
Therefore thus says the Lord GOD, "Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a tested stone, A costly cornerstone for the foundation, firmly placed. He who believes in it will not be disturbed."	Isaiah 28:16 (NASB)

Jesus Christ promises to be present any time Christians assemble in His name. Whenever Christians come together as the church, Jesus is in their midst. It is not the size of the assembly, worship style, or the meeting location that makes the church the church. Rather, Christ's presence and leadership determine the true nature of the church.
For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst.	Matthew 18:20 (NASB)

The Church - In Conclusion

So, what is the Christian church? It is people. Specifically, it is people who have dedicated their lives to serving God Almighty through their acceptance of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.

The specific role(s) and functions of the Christian church, its structure, history, worship styles, and other related information will be the focus of future articles.