A STUDY OF THE CHURCH (1)

Introduction:  The Need for This Study

Victor M. Eskew

 

          Does the world really understand the church?  Many believe that the church is a place Christians go to assemble for worship on Sunday.  Others see the church as the Catholic Church.  Still others believe the church is the combination of all the man-made denominations that exist in the world.  Some affirm that the church is nothing more than a temporary expedient in the plan of God.  These beliefs affirm the need for a study of the church.

          How many individuals know the definition of the word “church.”  Have they looked up the definition of the word in a lexicon?  Have they studied the word in its various contexts in the New Testament?  Could they Scripturally explain the concept of the church to someone who asks them about it?  The fact that most do not really know what the church is reveals that there is a need for a study of the church.

          Is the church honored by the those who say they are members of it.  Do they believe it is important in the salvation process?  Do they believe the church is an essential organization in their spiritual lives?  Do they seek to protect and preserve the church?  For many the church is not a significant part of their lives.  Some who call themselves Christians will say:  “Give me Christ, but not the church.”  Again, this points to a need for a study of the church.

          Are there individuals who oppose the church?  Are there those who would ridicule the idea of an organized body called the church?  Are there people who attempt to eradicate the church from the public square?  Are there those who, if they cannot do away with the church, would long for it to be reduced in size and importance in society?  The answer to these questions is:  “Yes.”  The fact that the church is despised in the eyes of some is another reason there needs to be a diligent study of the church.

          The word “church” is only found in the New Testament.  In the King James Version, the word “church” is found eighty (80) times in seventy-nine (79) verses.  The plural form of church, that is, “churches” is found thirty-seven (37) times in thirty-six (36) verses. This information reveals another need for a study of the church.  Something that the inspired writers of the New Testament mention one hundred seventeen times must have some significance. 

          In the gospel of Matthew, Jesus uses the word “church” three times.  In fact, He is the first to use the word.  In Matthew 16:18, Jesus is speaking to one of His apostles, Peter.  Here are the Lord’s words:  “And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”  Two chapters later, Jesus uses the word again in Matthew 18:17.  “And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church:  but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee a heathen man and a publican.”  Nothing Jesus has to say on any subject is unimportant.  If Jesus had only taught about the church one time, it would have necessitated a thorough study of the subject.

          The book of Acts records the word “church” eighteen (18) times.  Four (4) times it uses the word “churches.”  The book of Acts records the work of the apostles in carrying out the Great Commission.  Is the church connected in any way to that commission?  Does the church have an association with the process of salvation?  Listen to the first verse in Acts that uses the word church.  “”Praising God, and having favour with all the people.  And the LORD added to the church daily such as should be saved” (Acts 2:47).  This verse and the questions we raised should cause all to see that the book of Acts provides us another reason to study the church.

          The epistles also mention the church in several places.  In fact, many of the letters were addressed to churches.  “Unto the church of God which is at Corinth…” (1 Cor. 1:2).  “…unto the churches of Galatia” (Gal. 1:2). “…unto the church of the Thessalonians…”  (1 Thess. 1:1).  Several times the churches are taught about the church.  If the church needed to be taught about the church, then the church was important in the first century.  Two thousand years of time does not negate the fact that the divine record emphasizes the church.  Again, it proves the importance of a study of the church.

          The very last book of the Bible, The Revelation,” also highlights the church.  This book was written to seven churches.  “John to the seven churches which are in Asia…” (Rev. 1:4).  Chapters two and three are letters to each of these churches.  The letters are from the Lord Jesus Christ.  “Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks” (Rev. 2:1).  Each church is personally evaluated by the Christ.  He commends their positive features.  He condemns their negative elements.  He exhorts each one of them to be overcomers.  If Jesus had such an interest in these local congregations of the first century, it means they were important to Him.  Anything of importance to our Lord should be studied.

          In this series of articles, we will be examining what the Bible teaches about the church.  There are many things that are tragically misunderstood about this divine institution within the religious world today.  Satan has done his best to nullify the importance of the church in the world.  He has certainly perverted the minds of most about what the Bible calls the church or the body of Christ.