The Universal Church
The Greek word for church is EKKLESIA.
EK = out of KLESIA = called
* The word meaning is dictated by how it’s used in the scriptures.
* EKKLESIA is a called out assembly.
Matt. 16:18- I will build My Church
1) The word “will” means past, present, and future.
2) Christ called it His Assembly.
I Cor. 11:18- When ye come together in the Church
1) Paul to Church at Corinth.
2) Assembly in a local, visible place.
I Cor. 1:2- Church at Corinth
1) The word “church” – is an assembly of Believers.
2) A local, visible group.
* A church must be local–can’t assemble if everyone is all over the world.
Acts 7:38- The Church in the wilderness
1) Children of Israel camped surrounding the Tabernacle.
2) Israel came together in One place, local, visible body.
Col. 1:18- Christ is the head
*Christ is to have the pre-eminence.
Eph. 1:20-23- Hath put all things under his feet
Eph. 2:19-22- Church is referred to as a building
A building is local not universal.
II Cor. 11:1-2- Church is referred to as a Bride
* A body must be local. If the body is apart it’s no longer local.
* Local must be seen. They can’t come together and assemble if invisible.
II Cor. 1:1- Paul’s writing to the Church
*If the church is universal, all of body of Christ, how could Paul go to it?
Acts 20:6-7- Paul assembled in Troas
1) The disciples came together in on place.
2) All eating (breaking of bread) is a New Testament Church.
I Thes. 3:10- Paul desired to see their faces
1) Assembly must be seen.
2) How can you baptize what you can’t see?
3) How can you take Lord’s Supper if not seen?
4) How can you be disciples if not seen?
Rom. 16:1- Servant of the Church
*Can you serve a universal church NOT SEEN?
I Cor. 6:4- Judge in a Church
*Can the least esteemed judge in a universal church?
I Tim. 3:5- Take care of the Church of God
*Can a Bishop take care of a universal church?
I Cor. 14:40- Let all things be done decently and in order
1) Organized, local, visible assembly.
2) God has given man a pattern to love and to worship by.
* God gave Moses a pattern for the Tabernacle. Ex. 25:8-9; 26:30; 27:8
* God has given His New Testament Church a pattern.
Heb. 8:2-6- Minister of the True Tabernacle
1) The Tabernacle is a type / pattern of a New Testament Church.
2) When did the Lord’s New Testament Church start?
Matt. 4:17-22- Beginning of New Testament Church
*Christ started His Church during His personal ministry on the sea shores of Galilee.
Matt. 16:18-19- I will build My Church
1) Keys represent Authority.
2) Jesus didn’t start a universal, invisible church,
3) But a local, visible New Testament Church.
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