What is the church for? What was the church supposed to be like? Ever wondered why there seems to be such a significant difference between the early church in Acts 2-4, and the typical church we know today?
What is the church? Is it a spiritual school where we come to routinely, to learn about God? Or is it a family where we grow and learn, while all are open and vulnerable to each other?
A SCHOOL
The Bible calls the church the pillar and ground of truth.
But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how men ought to behave themselves in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth. 1 Timothy 3:15
The church is meant to be the place where people are taught, like a school. But what exactly is the subject matter? It is meant to be a school where we get an education to understand things from a truthful, God-given, perspective.
God is exalted in His power, who teaches like Him? Job 36:22
Jesus came to bring the grace of God that brings salvation and teaches us to deny ungodliness and live righteous, sober and godly in this age (Titus 2:11-12).
READ ALSO: WHICH GOSPEL?
The Lord’s Mandate
When the Lord ascended into the heavens, He gave His disciples the mandate to teach all nations.
“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20
The church is called to imitate Christ by doing the same works He did – John 14:12.
If the Master was a great teacher, the church needs to continue the mission to educate the world in the ways of the Kingdom of God.
But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything, and will cause you to remember everything I said to you. John 14:26
“And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.” Deuteronomy 6: 6-7
Many churches provide teaching meetings. Whether every teaching defines truth properly or not, many church meetings are simply a spiritual classroom.
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A FAMILY
Sharing is only normal amongst family members, as is: extending love and care, carrying one another’s burdens, discipline, correction, having and resolving disputes, and openness, amongst other things.
Is there scriptural proof that the church ever practised, is practising, or ought to practise these things?
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… Acts 2:44-46
“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13: 34-35
“Do any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unrighteous, and not before the saints? Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world will be judged by you, are you unworthy to judge the smallest matters?” 1 Corinthians 6:1-2
Now when Peter had come to Antioch, I withstood him to his face, because he was to be blamed. Galatians 2:11
“So confess your sins to one another and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great effectiveness.” James 5:16
Have you ever been in a congregation where these seemingly ‘invasive’ practices are normal in any way?
How does a church lose its ability to be a family?
Why are the above statements mostly strange sounding to the ear of christians today?
We will discuss this next week.
READ ALSO: WOMEN IN MINISTRY