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Teachings: Church
In
today’s English terminology, the word “church”
speaks of a building or a place where people of like
religious beliefs meet to worship. But a study of the
original Greek text shows the word ekklesia
in its simplest definition means “the called out
ones.” In the secular Greek society the word commonly
referred to an assembly of free citizens who were called
out from their homes and or places of business to give
consideration to matters of public interest, usually
for political, humanitarian, or social reasons. Christ
differentiates His church from other called out groups
with the use of the personal pronoun “my.”
“…on
this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades
will not overcome it.” (Matthew
16:18)
The word ekklesia is used 114 times in the
New Testament. Of those references, 110 refer to the
“called out ones” of Jesus Christ. This
is not just any gathering or assembly of people. It
includes those who have been called out from their place
of habitation in this world, who have separated themselves
unto God and Jesus Christ Himself. They are the free
citizens of the heavenly community summoned by the trumpet
of the gospel to assemble themselves together for worship
and fellowship.
The biblical usage of the word “church”
never refers to a building or a house of worship. The
church is the people of God that are built together
into a spiritual body for God’s habitation. The
church meets in a building or house, but it is not a
material building itself. The people of God are a spiritual
house. You are made a part of the ekklesia
through the connection and relationship that you have
with God’s children.
“Consequently,
you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow
citizens with God’s people and members of God’s
household, built on the foundation of the apostles and
prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the chief cornerstone.
In Him the whole building is joined together and rises
to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in Him you
too are being built together to become a dwelling in
which God lives by his spirit.” (Ephesians
2:19-22)
Purpose
of the Church
• Stronger through Worship: Where two or three
gather, He is in the midst of them. When we come together
for corporate worship, we can experience the wonderful,
life-changing power of God. Worship is not a spectator
sport. Come ready to participate! “Glorify the
Lord with me; let us exalt his name together.”
(Psalms
34:3)
•
Broader through Ministry: God wants you to use your
time, tithe, and talent for the kingdom of God. At the
River, we want to help you discover and develop the
gifts God has placed within you. This is also a place
to find healing and restoration. We all have trials
and struggles in life. With the help of mature believers,
we can receive the ministry we need to overcome. “To
prepare God’s people for works of service, so
that the body of Christ may be built up until we all
reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the
Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole
measure of the fullness of Christ.” (Ephesians
4:12-13) “Brothers, if someone is caught in
a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently.
But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. Carry
each other’s burdens, and in this way you will
fulfill the law of Christ.” (Galatians
6:1-2)
•
Larger through Evangelism
We have a purpose and a command while we are on this
earth—to tell others about Christ and lead them
to salvation. “Therefore go and make disciples
of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father
and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching
them to obey everything I have commanded you...”
(Matthew
28:19-20)
•
Warmer through Fellowship
We need relationship with other members of the body
of Christ. You can encourage and be encouraged by your
spiritual brothers and sisters. “And let us consider
how we may spur one another on toward love and good
deeds. Let us not give up meeting together as some are
in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and
all the more as you see the day approaching.”
(Hebrews
10:24-25)
•
Deeper through Discipleship
Every Christian needs mentoring and accountability to
grow to spiritual maturity. Once we’ve reached
a certain stage in our spiritual walk, God also desires
that we mentor and encourage others. Within the body
of Christ, you can fulfill that call. “We proclaim
him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom,
so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ.”
(Colossians
1:28) “Submit to one another out of reverence
for Christ.” (Ephesians
5:21)
Benefits
There are benefits in belonging to the family of God.
We hope you will experience the fullness of God’s
blessing at River of Life. “The angel of the LORD
encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them.”
(Psalm
34:7) “Fear the LORD, you his saints, for
those who fear him lack nothing.” (Psalm
34:9) “He who dwells in the shelter of the
Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I
will say of the LORD, ‘He is my refuge and my
fortress, my God, in whom I trust.’” (Psalm
91:1-2)
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