Edward F. Lundwall, Jr.
This is the first of several reflections on the Church.
The word "Church" appears 77 times in the New Testament. Some notable examples include Jesus' promise to build his church (Matt 16:18); the church as an instrument of correction (Matt 18:15-20; Acts 5:1-11); the natural home of the true convert (Acts 2:37-42); and the body that continually devotes itself "to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” (Acts 2:41, 42)
The Church is God's creation through the blood of Jesus Christ, and an expression of God's will on earth. Therefore, the Church is a target for evil forces and needs faithful clergy and laity to protect it. The Apostle Paul understood this and experienced demonic attempts to destroy the fledgling congregations that he and other apostles worked so hard to plant and sustain. He experienced the "plots of Jews" to kill him and harsh treatment at the hands of Gentiles. He wrote:
What is needed in the Church are faithful clergy who will uphold the Gospel, rightly divide the Scriptures, maintain discipline in the churches, gather the people for regular worship, and equip them for ministry. Is this happening in your church?
Related reading: Looking for the True God?; A Latent Stumbling Block; Contending for the Faith; A Historic Battle; Satanic Strategies; Defining Orthodoxy; The Spiritual Battle; Principles Determining Interpretation
The word "Church" appears 77 times in the New Testament. Some notable examples include Jesus' promise to build his church (Matt 16:18); the church as an instrument of correction (Matt 18:15-20; Acts 5:1-11); the natural home of the true convert (Acts 2:37-42); and the body that continually devotes itself "to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” (Acts 2:41, 42)
The Church is God's creation through the blood of Jesus Christ, and an expression of God's will on earth. Therefore, the Church is a target for evil forces and needs faithful clergy and laity to protect it. The Apostle Paul understood this and experienced demonic attempts to destroy the fledgling congregations that he and other apostles worked so hard to plant and sustain. He experienced the "plots of Jews" to kill him and harsh treatment at the hands of Gentiles. He wrote:
"Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves men will arise, speaking perverse things,. .” (Acts 20:28-30)
What is needed in the Church are faithful clergy who will uphold the Gospel, rightly divide the Scriptures, maintain discipline in the churches, gather the people for regular worship, and equip them for ministry. Is this happening in your church?
Related reading: Looking for the True God?; A Latent Stumbling Block; Contending for the Faith; A Historic Battle; Satanic Strategies; Defining Orthodoxy; The Spiritual Battle; Principles Determining Interpretation
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