Note: You are seeing this message because the browser you are using is out-of-date and/or non-CSS2 compliant. To see this Web site as it is intended to be seen, please upgrade your browser or use another more current browser.
Home » Issues » Uniting Church and Family »

We Must Rebuild Both Families and Churches

by Phil Lancaster, October 21, 2003

Delivered at the 2003 Vision Forum Ministries Regional Conference for Uniting Church and Family.

“You looked for much, but indeed it came to little; and when you brought it home, I blew it away. Why? Says the LORD of hosts. Because of My house that is in ruins, while every one of you runs to his own house.” Haggai 1:9

I. God’s Temple in the Bible

  1. The temple in the Old Testament was a building where God’s presence was manifested.
  2. Jesus is the temple: “God with us.” (John 1:14; 2:19; Matt. 1:23)
  3. The church (God’s people) is now the temple of God. (1 Cor. 3:16; Eph. 2:19-20; 1 Pet. 2:4-5)

II. Functions of the Church

  1. Discipleship: life-based instruction. (Matt. 28:19-20)
  2. Fellowship: life shared with Christ and one another. (1 John 1:3; 1 Cor. 10:16,17)
  3. Ministry: gifts directed toward needs. (1 Cor. 12:7)
  4. Worship: personal, family, corporate. (Rom. 12:1; Eph. 5:19)
  5. Prayer: (Acts 1:14; 12:12; 1 Tim. 2:8)

III. Order in the Church

  1. Sufficiency of Scripture (2 Tim. 3:16,17)
  2. Qualified leadership (1 Tim. 3)
  3. Christ’s ordinances (Matt. 28:19; 1 Cor. 11:24)
  4. Church discipline (Matt. 18:15-18; 1 Cor. 5:5,11-13)
  5. Regular meetings (Acts 20:7; Heb. 10:24,25)
  6. Love and unity (John 13:34,35; 17:21; 1 Cor. 12:13)

IV. New Testament Church Offices

  1. The singular office of headship. Jesus alone is head of the church. (Matt. 23:8; Col. 1:18)
  2. The general office of priesthood. Every believer is a priest. (1 Pet. 2:5,9; Rev. 1:6)
  3. The special offices of elder and deacon.

V. Elders & Deacons

  1. Elders: Also called overseers (bishops) & shepherds (pastors). (1 Pet. 5:1,2) They govern, guard, and feed the flock using the Word as their guide. (Acts 20:28; Tit. 1:5,9; Heb. 13:17) They always serve in plurality. (Acts 14:23; 20:17; Phil. 1:1; Tit. 1:5)
  2. Deacons: Assist the elders, especially in the care of the needy. (Acts 6:1-6)

VI. The Meeting of the Church

  1. General Framework: Focus on Christ’s resurrection: meeting on the Lord’s Day. (1 Cor. 16:2; Rev. 1:10)
  2. Focus on Christ’s death and our fellowship in Christ: the Lord’s Supper was the center of the meeting. (Acts 20:7)

VII. The Meeting of the Church: General Framework

  1. Focus on Christ’s resurrection: meeting on the Lord’s Day. (1 Cor. 16:2; Rev. 1:10)
  2. Focus on Christ’s death and our fellowship in Christ: the Lord’s Supper was the center of the meeting. (Acts 20:7)

VIII. The Meeting of the Church: Specific Elements

  1. Scripture reading and teaching (1 Tim. 4:13; Acts 20:7)
  2. Mutual encouragement (Heb. 10:24,25)
  3. The Lord’s Supper (Acts 2:42; 20:7; 1 Cor. 11:17,20,21)
  4. Prayer (Acts 16:13; 1 Tim. 2:8)
  5. Singing (Eph. 5:19)
  6. Participation (1 Cor. 14:26)

IX. Where Does the Church Meet?

  1. The New Testament church met in homes. (Rom. 16:5; 1 Cor. 16:19; Col. 4:15; Philemon 2)
  2. The nature of church fellowship demands a small, intimate meeting. (Heb. 10:24,25; 1 Pet. 1:22; Jas. 5:16) Larger and smaller meetings. (Acts 2:46; 20:20)

X. Church Membership

  1. All Christians are members of the church. (Rom. 12:5; 1 Cor. 10:17; 12:13)
  2. Believers are identified with a particular, local assembly of the church.
  3. “Membership” that clarifies that identification and confirms mutual commitment is appropriate.

“The nature of church fellowship demands a small, intimate meeting.”

Issues

Related Articles