3-Ecclesiology -SysTheo

Ecclesiology : Ecclesiology Systematic Theology II Christian Life College

A church is not a church : A church is not a church

What is the Church? : What is the Church?

Ecclesiology : Ecclesiology What is the Church? A building A denominational structure A local congregation All those who believe in Christ

Ecclesiology : Ecclesiology Church Government structures Episcopal – Authority resides in the bishop (episkopos). Methodists, Anglican, Episcopal, Roman Catholic churches Presbyterian – Key officer is the elder. Representative bodies exercise authority.

Ecclesiology : Ecclesiology Church Government structures Episcopal Presbyterian Congregational – Sovereignty of the local assembly, autonomy and democracy. Baptists, Congregationalists, and Lutherans Nongovernmental or Mystical – priesthood of every believer and individual leading of the Spirit Quakers and Plymouth Brethren

Ecclesiology : Ecclesiology Biblical Teaching kuriako,j kuriakos “belonging to the Lord” Lord’s Supper – 1 Cor 11:20 Lord’s Day – Rev. 1:10 evkklhsi,a ekklesia “to call out” assemble Both secular and sacred contexts in NT 109 of the 114 uses define: The local church The universal church Never is ekklesia used of a building, a denomination, or an official state church in the New Testament.

Ecclesiology : Ecclesiology How did the church originate? What did “church” look like in the first century?

Ecclesiology : Ecclesiology How did the church originate? It originated on the “Day of Pentecost”

Ecclesiology : Ecclesiology How did the church originate? It was still future while Christ was on earth Matthew 16:18 “And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.”

Ecclesiology : Ecclesiology How did the church originate? Depended on the finished work of Christ Acts 20:28 "Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.

Ecclesiology : Ecclesiology How did the church originate? Could not exist until the coming of the Holy Spirit I Corinthians 12:13 For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body -- whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free -- and have all been made to drink into one Spirit.

Ecclesiology : Ecclesiology Function of the Church Exaltation – Worship & Praise of God Edification – Encourage and Strengthen members, “mutual upbuilding” Evangelism – to declare the good news of the gospel at home and abroad Social Concern – Acts of Christian love and compassion for other believers and non-believers

7 major images of the church in the NT : 7 major images of the church in the NT The People of God The Elect of God – implies that the church was chosen by God and belongs to Him! The members of Christ – “in Christ” The fellowship of the Spirit – “Christ in us” Believers, the faithful Disciples –follows the teaching of another Christians –given them by unbelievers Brethren –members of the same family

7 major images of the church in the NT : 7 major images of the church in the NT The People of God The Body of Christ Members are gifted to fulfill specific functions, each fitting uniquely into place, contributing to the success of the whole. Unity of the members is based in their vital relationship to the Head of the body. The members experience: Unity, diversity, mutuality

7 major images of the church in the NT : 7 major images of the church in the NT The People of God The Body of Christ The Temple of God In the same way that the church receives spiritual gifts to edify or build up the body, so the temple of God – as a building – grows! Though the apostles and prophets share in the foundation, the cornerstone of the temple is identified as Jesus Christ.

7 major images of the church in the NT : 7 major images of the church in the NT The People of God The Body of Christ The Temple of God The Priesthood If the church is the temple of God, it seems reasonable that God would provide a priesthood to service that temple.

7 major images of the church in the NT : 7 major images of the church in the NT The People of God The Body of Christ The Temple of God The Priesthood The Bride The church is seen as the “Bride of Christ”

7 major images of the church in the NT : 7 major images of the church in the NT The People of God The Body of Christ The Temple of God The Priesthood The Bride The Flock The metaphor of a shepherd and his sheep is used of the relationship between Jesus and the believers in the N.T.

7 major images of the church in the NT : 7 major images of the church in the NT The People of God The Body of Christ The Temple of God The Priesthood The Bride The Flock The vine and the branches The branches are totally dependent on the vine for life and productivity.

7 major images of the church in the NT : 7 major images of the church in the NT The People of God The Body of Christ The Temple of God The Priesthood The Bride The Flock The vine and the branches The branches are totally dependent on the vine for life and productivity.

The Vine and the Branches : The Vine and the Branches Jesus – The true vine The Spirit flows from the vine through the branches. (Eph. 4:4) Believers – The productive branches Depending on the Vine Pruning for productivity Bearing much fruit Barren Branches Increase of Fruit Glorifies God

Binding and Loosing:The Authority of the Church : Binding and Loosing:The Authority of the Church NKJ Matthew 16:19 "And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven."

Binding and Loosing:The Authority of the Church : Binding and Loosing:The Authority of the Church NKJ Matthew 18:18 "Assuredly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.

Binding and Loosing:The Authority of the Church : Binding and Loosing:The Authority of the Church NKJ John 20:23 "If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained."

Binding and Loosing: The Authority of the Church : Binding and Loosing: The Authority of the Church The disciplinary authority of the church to exclude or reinstate individuals. The sins of the excluded were retained; the sins of the reinstated were forgiven. Tertullian, Cyprian, and Origen

Binding and Loosing: The Authority of the Church : Binding and Loosing: The Authority of the Church The power to legislate and to absolve Exercised positively by Peter Jews at Pentecost (Acts 2) Gentiles at the house of Cornelius (Acts 10) Employed negatively Barred the door to Simon the Sorcerer (Acts 8:21) The power of absolution is thought to reside more particularly in the phrase pertaining to “binding and loosing.”

focus : focus It’s all about preaching JESUS “Binding” and “Loosing” is not spiritual warfare, but about entrance into the Kingdom Peter preached “Jesus the Messiah”

Binding and Loosing: The Authority of the Church : Binding and Loosing: The Authority of the Church The power to bind and loose is the authority to retain or remit sins. Luther Roman Catholic Council of Trent recognized that Mt. 18:18 included the authority to retain or remit sins, but insisted it applied only to bishops and priests.

How does the Apostolic Church compare to church today? Book of Acts - Church Today : How does the Apostolic Church compare to church today? Book of Acts - Church Today Areas of Concern Unity Relationships Giving Miracles Ministry Meetings Genuineness / Authenticity

Slide 31 : current trends in the church Future church concepts