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A Few Bible Thoughts For Your Day
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Date: Oct 18 2016 12:07 PM
Hey Everybody! I hope everything is going your way so far this week. We had great services Sunday and are looking forward to Wednesday Bible class. I hope you can join us at 7 for that.
If you have a prayer request or would like to study together, please email me and we will be happy to assist you.
For today, here are a few thoughts.
Terms By Which The Church Of The Lord Is Designated
The term most often used in the New Testament is simply "the church." It does not always refer to the church which Christ built. In Acts 19:32 it refers to an angry mob. In Acts 7:38 it refers to the Israelites in the wilderness.
"The church" means a group of people, never a building. In reference to the church, itself, it means those "called out of darkness into light" (1 Peter 2:9). There must be a "translation out of darkness into the kingdom of his dear Son" (Colossians 1: 13f). There must also be an obedience to that "form (pattern) of doctrine" (Romans 6:17ff). Then, upon one's obedience to God, there must be an addition to the church by the Lord (Acts 2:38-47). There also must be a conviction that, since sins have been remitted, we must dedicate ourselves to serve and worship God, both in daily life and in the public worship assemblies of the church.
We cannot separate ourselves from the church, since Christ is its head (Colossians 1:18). What we choose to do or not do to the church, we choose to do or not do to Christ Himself (Matthew 25:40,45; Acts 9:1-5).
The church is also called "My church" by Christ (Matthew 16:18), and "churches of Christ" by Paul (Romans 16:16). These words designate ownership.
The church is referred to as the "house, or family of God" (1 Timothy 3: 15; Ephesians 2:19; 3: 15). This means God is our Father and we are His children, and we are brothers and sisters with brotherly love in the family (2 Corinthians 6:18; Galatians 3:26ff; Romans 12:9f; 2 Peter 1:5-7).
The church is also called "the body of Christ" (Colossians 1: 18.24; Ephesians 1: 10-23), emphasizing the headship of Christ, the subjection of members to Christ, and the functioning of members perfectly while heeding the commands of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:12-31). If one member is severed from the body, it cannot function properly.
It is vital that those who wear the name of Christ as part of His body honor Him as Lord.
Have a great week!
Mitch Robison
Enon Church of Christ
1366 Enon Road
Webb, AL 36376
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