The Church Jesus Built

1
The Church Jesus Built

• Mt. 1613-19

2
Nature of the Church Jesus Built

• Consider the meaning of "church"
• From Greek word ekklesia
• means "an assembly"
• Used most frequently in the New Testament in two
  senses
• The church "universal" - that company of souls
  redeemed by the blood of Christ

3
Nature of the Church Jesus Built

• Consider the meaning of "church"
• From Greek word ekklesia
• means "an assembly"
• Used most frequently in the New Testament in two
  senses
• The church "universal"
• The church "local" - Christians in a geographical
  area that work and worship together as a
  congregation of God's people

4
Nature of the Church Jesus Built

• Consider other terms which enhance our view of
  the "church"
• The "body" of Christ
• The "household" of God
• The "temple" of God
• The "kingdom" of Christ
• The "bride" of Christ
• These expressions reveal different aspects of the
  Lord's great assembly!

5
Nature of the Church Jesus Built

• Our understanding of the nature of the church can
  also be enhanced by...
• Contrasting the church "universal" with the
  church "local"
• Noting how the New Testament carefully delineates
  between the two

6
Nature of the Church Jesus Built

• Failure to observe the distinction between the
  church "universal" and church "local"...
• Leaves one open to erroneous concepts of the
  church
• Makes one susceptible to false views of the
  church

7
The Church Universal

• Composed of ALL Christians
• Mt. 1618 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.
• Heb. 1222-24

8
Hebrews 1222-24

• But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city
  of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to
  myriads of angels, 23 to the general assembly
  and church of the firstborn who are enrolled in
  heaven, and to God, the Judge of all, and to the
  spirits of the righteous made perfect, 24 and to
  Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the
  sprinkled blood, which speaks better than the
  blood of Abel.

9
The Church Universal

• Composed of ALL Christians
• Mt. 1618 Heb. 1222-24
• There is only ONE church
• Eph. 122-23

10
Ephesians 122-23

• And He put all things in subjection under His
  feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the
  church, 23 which is His body, the fullness of
  Him who fills all in all.

11
The Church Universal

• Composed of ALL Christians
• Mt. 1618 Heb. 1222-24
• There is only ONE church
• Eph. 122-23
• There is only ONE body
• Eph. 44 There is one body and one Spirit, just
  as also you were called in one hope of your
  calling

12
The Church Universal

• Composed of ALL Christians
• Mt. 1618 Heb. 1222-24
• There is only ONE church
• Eph. 122-23 44
• Began on the day of Pentecost
• Acts 21-47 1115

13
The Church Universal

• Enter only by being added by the Lord
• One cannot "join" the church by their own
  volition
• They are "added" by the Lord Himself when saved
• Acts 241,47

14
Acts 241

• So then, those who had received his word were
  baptized and that day there were added about
  three thousand souls.

15
Acts 247

• praising God and having favor with all the
  people. And the Lord was adding to their number
  day by day those who were being saved.

16
The Church Universal

• The Lord keeps the books of Membership
• There is no agency on earth that keeps the
  registry of true members
• Enrollment is in heaven
• Only the Lord knows those who are truly His
• Heb. 1223 2 Tim. 219

17
Hebrews 1223

• to the general assembly and church of the
  firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God,
  the Judge of all, and to the spirits of the
  righteous made perfect,

18
2 Timothy 219

• Nevertheless, the firm foundation of God stands,
  having this seal, "The Lord knows those who are
  His," and, "Everyone who names the name of the
  Lord is to abstain from wickedness.

19
The Church Universal

• Consists of ALL the Saved
• The Lord is presenting to Himself a church holy
  and without blemish
• Eph. 525-27

20
Ephesians 525-27

• Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also
  loved the church and gave Himself up for her, 26
  so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed
  her by the washing of water with the word, 27
  that He might present to Himself the church in
  all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any
  such thing but that she would be holy and
  blameless.

21
The Church Universal

• Consists of ALL the Saved
• The Lord is presenting to Himself a church holy
  and without blemish
• Those in the church who are sinning and refuse to
  repent are "cast out", "cut off", spit out"
• John 152,6 Rom. 1119-22 Rev. 316

22
John 152,6

• 2 Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit,
  He takes away and every branch that bears fruit,
  He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit.
• 6 If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown
  away as a branch and dries up and they gather
  them, and cast them into the fire and they are
  burned.

23
Romans 1119-22

• You will say then, "Branches were broken off so
  that I might be grafted in." 20 Quite right,
  they were broken off for their unbelief, but you
  stand by your faith. Do not be conceited, but
  fear 21 for if God did not spare the natural
  branches, He will not spare you, either.

24
Romans 1119-22

• 22 Behold then the kindness and severity of
  God to those who fell, severity, but to you,
  God's kindness, if you continue in His kindness
  otherwise you also will be cut off.

25
Revelation 316

• So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor
  cold, I will spit you out of My mouth.

26
The Church Universal

• Consists of ALL the Saved
• Must be in this church to be Saved
• Eph. 523 For the husband is the head of the
  wife, as Christ also is the head of the church,
  He Himself being the Savior of the body.

27
The Church Universal

• Consists of ALL the Saved
• Must be in this church to be Saved
• Eph. 523
• Since the Lord adds one to His church when they
  are saved,
• One cannot be saved and not be in the church
  "universal"!

28
The Church Universal

• Consists of ALL the Saved
• Must be in this church to be Saved
• Has no Earthly Organization
• The church "universal" has organization
• Eph. 219-22 1 Pet. 25

29
Ephesians 219-22

• So then you are no longer strangers and aliens,
  but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and
  are of God's household, 20 having been built on
  the foundation of the apostles and prophets,
  Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone,

30
Ephesians 219-22

• 21 in whom the whole building, being fitted
  together, is growing into a holy temple in the
  Lord, 22 in whom you also are being built
  together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit.

31
1 Peter 25

• you also, as living stones, are being built up
  as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to
  offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God
  through Jesus Christ.

32
The Church Universal

• Has no Earthly Organization
• The church "universal" has organization
• What organization exists is spiritual in nature
• Christ as the cornerstone, together with His
  apostles and prophets as the foundation, and all
  Christians as "living stones"

33
The Church Universal

• Has no Earthly Organization
• There is no earthly headquarters for the church
• No telephone number to call to speak with the
  "head" of the church (for He is in heaven!)

34
The Church Universal

• Cannot be Divided
• There is no earthly organization to divide!
• If division appears to exist...
• Some unscriptural organization of churches must
  have been created
• Such an organization can have division, but the
  Lord's church "universal" cannot!

35
The Church Universal

• Cannot be Divided
• Those who would seek to divide the church through
  doctrine, conduct, etc., are simply cut off by
  the Lord Himself!
• There is and always will be, "one body"! - Eph.
  44
• We need to make sure we are remaining faithful to
  be in it!

36
The Church Universal

• Cannot be Divided
• Death does not affect Membership
• The church "universal" is made up of the saved,
  both living and dead
• Heb. 1222-23

37
Hebrews 1222-23

• But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city
  of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to
  myriads of angels, 23 to the general assembly
  and church of the firstborn who are enrolled in
  heaven, and to God, the Judge of all, and to the
  spirits of the righteous made perfect,

38
The Church Universal

• Cannot be Divided
• Death does not affect Membership
• The church "universal" is made up of the saved,
  both living and dead
• When one dies, they are still with Christ! -
  Phil. 121-23 1 Thess. 510

39
Philippians 121-23

• For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.
  22 But if I am to live on in the flesh, this
  will mean fruitful labor for me and I do not
  know which to choose. 23 But I am hard-pressed
  from both directions, having the desire to depart
  and be with Christ, for that is very much better

40
1 Thessalonians 510

• who died for us, so that whether we are awake or
  asleep, we will live together with Him.

41
The Church Universal

• Composed of All Christians
• There is only One church
• Began on the day of Pentecost
• Enter only by being added by the Lord
• The Lord keeps the books of Membership

42
The Church Universal

• Consists of ALL the Saved
• Must be in this church to be Saved
• Has no Earthly Organization
• Cannot be Divided
• Death does not affect Membership

43
The Church Local

• Composed of Christians in One Location
• A local church is made up of Christians in one
  geographical area
• For Example
• The church at Corinth 1 Cor. 12

44
1 Corinthians 12

• To the church of God which is at Corinth, to
  those who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus,
  saints by calling, with all who in every place
  call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their
  Lord and ours

45
The Church Local

• Composed of Christians in One Location
• A local church is made up of Christians in one
  geographical area
• For Example
• The church at Corinth 1 Cor. 12
• The church at Thessalonica - 1 Thess. 11

46
1 Thessalonians 11

• Paul and Silvanus and Timothy, To the church of
  the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord
  Jesus Christ Grace to you and peace.

47
The Church Local

• Composed of Christians in One Location
• There are Many churches
• Paul had reference to local churches when he
  wrote All the churches of Christ greet you.
  Rom. 1616
• And again when he wrote To the churches of
  Galatia Gal. 12

48
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49
The Church Local

• Begins whenever people Join themselves together
• As the gospel spreads and people respond to it
• Those in a particular area start a local church
  when they agree to work together as one

50
The Church Local

• Begins whenever people Join themselves together
• Just as the church in Antioch began later than
  the church in Jerusalem - Acts 1119-26

51
Acts 1119-26

• So then those who were scattered because of the
  persecution that occurred in connection with
  Stephen made their way to Phoenicia and Cyprus
  and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except
  to Jews alone. 20 But there were some of them,
  men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who came to Antioch and
  began speaking to the Greeks also, preaching the
  Lord Jesus.

52
Acts 1119-26

• 21 And the hand of the Lord was with them,
  and a large number who believed turned to the
  Lord. 22 The news about them reached the ears of
  the church at Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas
  off to Antioch. 23 Then when he arrived and
  witnessed the grace of God, he rejoiced and began
  to encourage them all with resolute heart to
  remain true to the Lord

53
Acts 1119-26

• 24 for he was a good man, and full of the
  Holy Spirit and of faith. And considerable
  numbers were brought to the Lord. 25 And he left
  for Tarsus to look for Saul 26 and when he had
  found him, he brought him to Antioch. And for an
  entire year they met with the church and taught
  considerable numbers and the disciples were
  first called Christians in Antioch.

54
The Church Local

• Begins whenever people Join themselves together
• Whereas the church "universal" began in Jerusalem
  on Pentecost
• Local" churches have begun at different places
  and different times!

55
The Church Local

• Enter by Joining the church
• When one wishes to become an accepted member of
  the local church, they must "join themselves" to
  that church
• Such as Paul sought to do when he came to the
  church in Jerusalem - Acts 926-28

56
Acts 926-28

• When he came to Jerusalem, he was trying to
  associate with the disciples but they were all
  afraid of him, not believing that he was a
  disciple. 27 But Barnabas took hold of him and
  brought him to the apostles and described to them
  how he had seen the Lord on the road,

57
Acts 926-28

• and that He had talked to him, and how at
  Damascus he had spoken out boldly in the name of
  Jesus. 28 And he was with them, moving about
  freely in Jerusalem, speaking out boldly in the
  name of the Lord.

58
The Church Local

• Enter by Joining the church
• Whereas one is "added" by the Lord Himself to the
  universal church
• We can seek to "join" a local congregation
• If its members are willing to accept us

59
The Church Local

• Enrolled through Human Judgment
• Whether we are accepted into a local church is a
  decision made by the leaders or members of that
  church
• Sometimes people are rejected when they should be
  received - 3 John 5-9

60
3 John 5-9

• Beloved, you are acting faithfully in whatever
  you accomplish for the brethren, and especially
  when they are strangers 6 and they have
  testified to your love before the church. You
  will do well to send them on their way in a
  manner worthy of God.

61
3 John 5-9

• 7 For they went out for the sake of the Name,
  accepting nothing from the Gentiles. 8 Therefore
  we ought to support such men, so that we may be
  fellow workers with the truth. 9 I wrote
  something to the church but Diotrephes, who
  loves to be first among them, does not accept
  what we say.

62
The Church Local

• Enrolled through Human Judgment
• Evil men may succeed in kicking one out of a
  local church
• But only the Lord determines who stays in the
  universal church!

63
The Church Local

• Consists of both Saved and Lost
• Since enrollment occurs through human judgment,
  fallible decisions can be made
• A local church may therefore have some who are
  nominal Christians
• cf. Rev. 31-4

64
Revelation 31-4

• To the angel of the church in Sardis write He
  who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven
  stars, says this 'I know your deeds, that you
  have a name that you are alive, but you are dead.
  2 'Wake up, and strengthen the things that
  remain, which were about to die for I have not
  found your deeds completed in the sight of My
  God.

65
Revelation 31-4

• 3 'So remember what you have received and
  heard and keep it, and repent. Therefore if you
  do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you
  will not know at what hour I will come to you. 4
  'But you have a few people in Sardis who have not
  soiled their garments and they will walk with Me
  in white, for they are worthy.

66
The Church Local

• Consists of both Saved and Lost
• Hypocrites may become members of a local church
• But they don't sneak by the Lord to become
  members of the universal church!

67
The Church Local

• Do Not have to be in this church to be saved
• One can be saved, and not belong to any local
  church
• Such was the case of the Eunuch immediately
  following his conversion - Acts 839

68
Acts 839

• When they came up out of the water, the Spirit
  of the Lord snatched Philip away and the eunuch
  no longer saw him, but went on his way rejoicing.

69
The Church Local

• Do Not have to be in this church to be saved
• One can be saved, and not belong to any local
  church
• Such was the case of the Eunuch immediately
  following his conversion
• Also of Paul when he was in transit between
  Antioch and Jerusalem - cf. Acts 926

70
Acts 926

• When he came to Jerusalem, he was trying to
  associate with the disciples but they were all
  afraid of him, not believing that he was a
  disciple.

71
The Church Local

• Do Not have to be in this church to be saved
• Of course, this should be temporary
• Remember, Paul desired to join himself to the
  church in Jerusalem Acts 926
• In the universal church, it is impossible to be
  saved without being in the church!

72
The Church Local

• Has Earthly Organization
• A local church when scripturally organized will
  have overseers (bishops - KJV) and deacons
• Phil. 11 Paul and Timothy, bond-servants of
  Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus
  who are in Philippi, including the overseers and
  deacons

73
The Church Local

• Has Earthly Organization
• A local church when scripturally organized will
  have bishops and deacons - Phil. 11
• These overseers/bishops were also called "elders"
  and shepherds (pastors), whose role was to
  oversee and feed the local congregation

74
Acts 1423

• When they had appointed elders for them in every
  church, having prayed with fasting, they
  commended them to the Lord in whom they had
  believed.

75
Acts 2017,28

• 17 From Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called to
  him the elders of the church.
• 28 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.

76
The Church Local

• Has Earthly Organization
• The only role or position ever given men over the
  universal church on earth was the apostles, and
  they were not replaced when they died
• e.g., James in Acts 122 And he had James the
  brother of John put to death with a sword.

77
The Church Local

• Can be Divided
• Local churches can easily be divided over
  doctrine or personalities
• Such was the case with the church at Corinth
• 1 Cor. 110-13 33-4

78
1 Corinthians 110-13

• 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. 11 For I have been informed concerning
  you, my brethren, by Chloe's people, that there
  are quarrels among you.

79
1 Corinthians 110-13

• 12 Now I mean this, that each one of you is
  saying, "I am of Paul," and "I of Apollos," and
  "I of Cephas," and "I of Christ." 13 Has Christ
  been divided? Paul was not crucified for you, was
  he? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?

80
1 Corinthians 33,4

• for you are still fleshly. For since there is
  jealousy and strife among you, are you not
  fleshly, and are you not walking like mere men?
  4 For when one says, "I am of Paul," and another,
  "I am of Apollos," are you not mere men?

81
The Church Local

• Can be Divided
• While we can't divide the universal church
• We can be responsible for dividing local
  churches!
• Remember, one of the six things the Lord hates, "
  one who spreads strife among brothers." Prov.
  619

82
The Church Local

• Death affects Membership
• When we die, our membership in a local
  congregation ends
• Just as when Stephen died, he was no longer a
  member of the Jerusalem church - Acts 81-2

83
Acts 81-2

• Saul was in hearty agreement with putting him to
  death. And on that day a great persecution began
  against the church in Jerusalem, and they were
  all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and
  Samaria, except the apostles. 2 Some devout men
  buried Stephen, and made loud lamentation over
  him.

84
The Church Local

• Death affects Membership
• When we die, our membership in a local
  congregation ends
• Our membership in the church universal continues
  on after death!

85
Universal vs. Local

• Composed of All Christians
• There is only One church
• Began on the day of Pentecost
• Enter only by being added by the Lord

• Composed of Christians in One Location
• There are Many churches
• Begins whenever people Join themselves together
• Enter by Joining the church

86
Universal vs. Local

• The Lord keeps the books of Membership
• Consists of ALL the Saved
• M ust be in this church to be Saved

• Enrolled through Human Judgment
• Consists of both Saved and Lost
• Do Not have to be in this church to be saved

87
Universal vs. Local

• Has no Earthly Organization
• Cannot be Divided
• Death does not affect Membership

• Has Earthly Organization
• Can be Divided
• Death affects Membership

88
Key difference between the two

• The church "universal" in essence concerns our
  relationship with Christ
• The church "local" basically concerns our
  relationship with one another
• Of course, our service in the local church can
  certainly affect our standing in the universal
  church!