The Church

• What is the Church of God?
• Who is in the Church of God?
• What does the Church of God do?
• How does a member of the Church of God act?
• What are his/her duties and responsibilities?

These are some of the questions that we will answer below. But, the essentials of the Church of God are these: anyone can belong -- regardless of race, income, country of origin, prior religious background, or prior irreputible activities. It is God's work that ushers a new member into His church. So, we cannot buy or work our way into God's church.

These are some of the key things that make God's work of adding to His church evident to those around us: what a person believes, a person's heavenly desires for living as God desires His children to live, a person's continuing hope in eternal reward through Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

And, all of these things wrapped together and motivated by Love -- first for God, and then for fellow man. But, how do all of these "churchy things" work? We shall see that below.

The Body of Christ

On any given Sunday, the churches of the world are bustling with people; some trying to get a seat while others greet and hug one another. Church buildings are packed with regular attendees as well as visitors. From Catholics to Pentecostal churches, Sundays are usually the day of highest attendance. But how many church attendees actually belong to Jesus Christ by faith? Have you ever looked around on Sunday and thought to yourself, "I wonder how many people in here would be left behind if the rapture happened now?" Can one really go to church and not belong to the body of Christ?

The answer is, "Yes". Jesus tells us about it in one of His parables. To understand this fact is to understand that the true Church of God or Body of Christ is not a building, but a number of people who meet in sharing their faith in their Lord and Savior. Entrance into the true Church of God is not entry into any building, but entry into a new life.

The true Church, also known as the Body of Christ, is comprised of all of those that believe in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ for the sins of the world. These people have come to repentance for their sins and put their trust in Jesus Christ as their Savior. We are a living breathing organism with members in America, Zaire, Japan.....all over the face of the earth! Our Head is Jesus Christ because He purchased us with His precious blood.

So why do we gather if we are already a community? We gather on Sunday to worship God and fellowship with one another -- strengthening and supporting one another -- and, readying ourselves so that we might scatter during the week to witness Jesus Christ to the world. Yes, there are some Christians that gather together on other days of the week --like Saturday-- but, the day of gathering during the week does not matter. What is important is that we gather together.

A good example of this is found in the book of Acts. During the early days of the first church they remained in Jerusalem for a time. This was a time of strengthening as they prayed, worshipped, and shared everything together (Acts 2:42-Acts 6). Then, abruptly, in Acts 7, the Christians in Jerusalem began to endure persecution and they scattered to Judea and Samaria, hence marking the beginning of the Christian Diaspora. They, therefore, carried the message of the Cross of Jesus Christ everywhere they ran to!

Another reason that we gather as a body is because, at the moment of salvation, we received the Holy Spirit and He in turn gave us gifts. The purpose of those gifts is so that we can equip one another for the work that we have to do in ministering to one another and to the world at large. We are unable to function properly if we don’t gather for fellowship because we all need one another’s gifts. The Apostle Paul relays this to us in 1 Corinthians 12:18-26. For if all the members were an "ear" would it really be a body? As I sit in my church in Maryland, I need that "ear" in Sudan though we have never seen one another face to face.

But, one day we will all stand together in complete unity to be joined with our head, The Lord Jesus Christ!

Representing Christ

Prior to Jesus’ betrayal on the night of the Passover, He agonized in prayer in Gethsemane on behalf of believers. What is interesting enough, contrary to what a lot of American Christians believe, is that He did not pray for our physical health and prosperity. He did not agonize so that we can live a wealthy and painless life. Though these things are comforting blessings if God bestows them, what Jesus prayed for is that the body of Christ would experience the unity that He has with His Father. He also prayed that we would follow His example -- just as He was not of the world, neither should we be.

The Christian that has witnessed to a non-believer and had that person bring up some other "Christian" who lives a life no more holy than the average non-believer knows the damage that is done to the Body of Christ when someone carrying the Name of Jesus conducts themselves unwisely.

As Christians, we must soberly ask ourselves this: What does Jesus mean when He speaks of us being salt and light?

The Bible often refers to believers as those who have been “called out.” This means that we were on the course of this world, but God saved us and placed us on a different path. Our conduct, therefore, should be markedly different from that of this world's system.

Understanding that we are called to be salt on this earth, we should recognize that salt has two main effects: adding flavor, while also making a person thirsty. As salt, we give a unique flavor to the world, because we are a special people. In turn, they hunger and thirst for what we have (whether they say it or not). This is demonstrated to the world first by having love for other believers and love for people in general. Then they begin to notice our holy conduct.

When a Christian is faithful to God in word as well as in deed, those around them notice it. They then inquire of the hope that lies within us and we are able to explain in humility. Hence, we become representatives of Jesus in this world and spreaders of the Gospel. For many people, the only Bible they will ever read is your life...

What does your life say to others about Jesus?

Servants of the Lord Jesus

What does it mean to be a servant of the Lord Jesus Christ? Let’s look at what Jesus meant when He spoke of serving Him.

In John 13 Jesus’ disciples were perplexed at the idea of Him washing their feet. How could He be so humble and abased? Was He not the Son of God -- The Anointed and Most Holy? In the midst of their confusion, Jesus was teaching them what is perhaps the lesson that is hardest for His followers to learn. That lesson was servanthood.

It is only after washing His disciples' feet that Jesus explains that His Kingdom is one typified by the greatest serving the least.

In another place in Scripture two of Jesus' disciples asked Him to give them the highest position of honor once His Kingdom (the Kingdom of God) was established. However, their request showed that they were not ready to be leaders of Jesus’ flock. Jesus points this out by explaining that even He -- the Son of God -- did not come to earth to be served.. Jesus says that those who desire to be greatest in God’s Kingdom will be those who are least on earth. They are to be servants and slaves of all!

True servants of Jesus Christ take on His humble thinking and have a heart for service. At some point, a disciple of Jesus will understand this -- even if they do not understand it now.

The Christian life (ministry) is one that is littered with servitude, especially on the leadership level. Christian leaders should never fleece their flocks, but instead have an obligation to feed and nurture them. With loving compassion and mercy they should tend to their spiritual, emotional and physical needs. Even the Apostle Paul said that although he would rather go and be with the Lord in glory, it was better for him to remain in order to comfort and serve the Philippian believers.

We, as followers of Jesus Christ, ought to have the same mind. We should use the gifts that God has given us in order to serve the Body of Christ, as well as the unbelieving world. A humble attitude of service is one the world does not have, therefore making us salt and light. Jesus says in Matthew 25:34-40 that when we visit the sick and the imprisoned, we are really visiting Him!

When we humbly serve others, we are truly serving our Lord and Master -- Jesus. Ours should not be an attitude of self-absorption lest we become consumed with ourselves. The irony of the Christian life is the more you give out, the more you have to give!

The Great and Glorious Bride

The audience wiggles with great impatience, while little girls line up with precious white dresses and bows in their hair. The little guys take their place with miniature suits as young maidens put on final dashes of red brown and fuchsia lips. The organist stings forth her rendition of Sleeper’s Wake by Bach in order to sooth the crowd. As the door swings open, the bridegroom is overcome with anticipation as his young bride strolls in. Words cannot express the joy in their hearts as they long to become one. What a glorious day! How much more glorious when God’s Only Begotten Son is joined to His greatly waited for bride!

The Body of Christ is referred to as Jesus’ bride, but why? Even the Apostle Paul says that this is a great mystery and no doubt precious in God’s sight. Perhaps this would explain why God emphatically states in Malachi 2:16 that He hates divorce, because God is a God of unity.

Jesus is called the Lamb of God and when we (the Bride) unite with Him, there will be a great wedding feast!

In Jewish culture a betrothed woman was to remain at home until her groom came to get her. He could come at anytime therefore she had to be packed and ready to go! God sees the church as a unified body who is awaiting her union to the Groom, Jesus Christ. The Bridegroom is no doubt very much anticipating this glorious bride. After all, He did die for her sins and therefore purchased her with His blood. He now cleanses her and makes her more like Himself so they will experience beautiful union. Not to mention that He nourishes her and cherishes her. What woman would not want a fiancé’ that sees her as so precious?

So, what is the Bride to do to prepare for His coming? She is to occupy herself with her duties until He comes. She is to unite herself and purify her life. In a nutshell, she is to allow God to conform her to Jesus' image through sanctification so that she will be like Him.

Great is this mystery!

Spiritual Gifts

There have been times when people have referred to Billy Graham as the spiritual equivalent of the world’s Michael Jackson. Many admire his ability to communicate the Good News of Salvation (the Gospel) in a clear and concise manner so that anyone can understand it. At his evangelistic crusades people flock the floor in a profession of repentance and faith in Christ. But, is it really Billy Graham that is admired, or the grace of God given to him in the form of evangelism?

The truth is that without God’s Grace we are lost sinners and gift-less creatures. God gives us new life; and, at the point of conversion, He gives us spiritual gifts that are to be used for His glory.

So what exactly is a spiritual gift?

The Apostle Paul says that we should not be ignorant concerning these gifts. The word used for "gifts" throughout the Bible is charisma, which means “gift of grace.” Therefore, a gift is an ability that God gives us to carryout a specific work in the ministry.

Spiritual Gifts by Grace should not be confused with talents and abilities. Playing the piano or singing a song -- though they can be used in a worship setting -- are not gifts but talents. These abilities were either given at the natural birth; or, can be achieved through lots of practice and human effort. Spiritual gifts are given at conversion (your spiritual birth). Because they are from God’s grace, we have nothing to brag or boast about because He is the Author.

The purpose of these gifts is simply, “…for the equipping of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body…” (Ephesians 4:12). We don’t see anywhere in Scripture that our gifts are to bring us glory or wealth. Instead they are to be used solely to encourage and equip other believers for the completion of God’s ministry on earth.

The Bible gives us two warnings as it concerns the use of our gifts. The first one is outlined in Matthew 25:14-30, where Jesus gives an example of different kinds of servants. They were all given talents (units of Jewish money) by their master, which represented gifts in this parable. Two of the servants were profitable and doubled their talents by investing wisely. The other did nothing with it, and hence the master called him wicked and lazy. This parable shows that God wants us to exercise the gifts He has given us and will require us to account for how they were used.

The second warning is to those who use their gifts boastfully and without love. The Apostle Paul writes to the Romans telling them that they need to have a humble and sober view of themselves because their gifts were given to them and not earned. God gives gifts to whom He pleases. He also tells the Corinthians that though they may be a church that abounds in gifts, if they fail to love while exercising them they are nothing…empty.

So what are the gifts of the Spirit? Lists of the gifts can be found in Romans 12:3-8, 1 Corinthians 12:8-10 and 1 Corinthians 12:28-30, and Ephesians 4:11.

Some are signifying (sign-giving) gifts like healing and miracles. The evident Model for sign-giving gifts is Jesus, who often exercised miracles so that others would believe. When a Christian exercises any of these gifts, we are not doing it so that others may believe in us; but, we are showing God's power so that others might believe in Jesus.

Still, some gifts are ministry-focused gifts like discernment and helps. While still others are speaking gifts such as teaching and evangelism. While many people disagree about whether or not some of these gifts still pertain to us today, it is still worthwhile to study them and determine how God has gifted you for the work of the ministry (Flynn, L.B. (1974). 19 Gifts of the Spirit: Which do you have? Are you using them? (First edition), Chariot Victor Publishing, page 39).

Signifying Gifts:

• Prophesy
• Miracles
• Healing
• Tongues
• Interpretation

Speaking Gifts:

• Prophesy (also a Signifying gift)
• Evangelism
• Pastoring
• Teaching
• Exhortation
• Word of wisdom
• Word of knowledge
• Tongues (also a Signifying gift)
• Interpretation of tongues (also a Signifying gift)

Ministering Gifts:

• Ministration (helps)
• Hospitality
• Giving
• Government (ruling)
• Showing of mercy
• Faith (not saving faith)
• Discernment
• Miracles (also a Signifying gift)
• Healing (also a Signifying gift)

The Structure of the Local Church

The local church can be likened to a small cell in the grand scheme of a living, breathing organism. Though every Christian comes together to comprise The Church, the local church is a centralized group of believers that worship together. In American churches we usually gather in building both great and small. On the other side of our globe, among believers in the northwest provinces of Vietnam are forced to meet in houses or shanties, oftentimes in secret to divert persecution. Wherever the local church meets there are three groups that comprise a body of believers. They are elders, deacons and members. All are equal in importance, but vary in function.

Let's take a closer look. Overseers-These are the servant-leaders of the church; also referred to as under-shepherds because they are under the authority of the Great and Good Shepherd: Jesus Christ. They are also referred to as bishops, pastors and elders. The same word is used in the New Testament interchangeably when referring to these titles. The job of the overseer is to lead, teach, help the spiritually weak, care for the body, and appoint leaders. God has reserved this role explicitly for men. An in-depth list of the 16 qualifications that all overseers must posses can be found in 1 Timothy 3:1-7.

Deacons-These are also known as servants in the church. In Acts 6:1-7 we see an account of deacons being appointed for the church. Their job was to serve tables and ensure fair treatment of Greek widows. Today they continue to oversee practical needs of the church such as ushering, distributing communion elements, handling church finances, and cleaning of facilities. God has opened this role to men and women alike. The Bible also describes the qualities that a deacon must have.

Members of the Body- This group is also referred to as a congregation. They are all Spirit-gifted believers who also serve in the church. Because they are Christ’s, they are to have singleness of heart: to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ. The members of the body are to meet for worship and to use their gifts to edify and encourage the Body of Christ to Godliness. They are also to support the elders by supplying for their financial needs. We are also to help other members by meeting one another’s needs in all sincerity.

Jesus left behind one common thread that He intended to run through every position in the church. It was mentioned before, but, it is important enough to say again: if we desire to be great, we must first learn how to serve one another. The greatest Christian leader is not the most eloquent or the savviest. He is the one who has a heart bent on serving his fellow human being.