VII- The Doctrine of the Church
1. Q. What is the Church?
ANSWER: The Church is the body of Christ. The term Church in the New Testament sometimes refers to the entire body of people-past, present, and future-who through faith in the Lord Jesus make up the organism called the body of Christ-the universal church (Eph. 1:22-23; 5:23-32; Heb. 12:23). At other times the Greek word ekklesia (which means “a called out group”) refers to a local assembly of believers (Rom. 16:5; 1 Cor. 1:2; 16:19; Gal. 1:2; 1 Th. 1:1). In either case, the church should be as important to us as it is to Christ.
2. Q. When did the Church begin?
ANSWER: The Church was born on the Day of Pentecost, 50 days after our Lord’s resurrection, when the Holy Spirit came on a small number of disciples, baptizing them into one body and filling them with His power (Acts 2:1-13). By this act, God temporarily set aside the nation of Israel as his primary means of revealing Himself to the world. In Israel’s place, the Lord chose to work through an international body of people who were united not by national affiliation but by personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ (Gal. 3:27-29; Eph. 2:13-3:10).
3. Q. What are the officers of a local church?
ANSWER: Two bishop (elders) and deacons. Their qualification are given in 1 Timothy 3:1-13. Turmoil, confusion, and spiritual dissension occur as a result of not taking the spiritual qualifications of church leaders as seriously as the apostle Paul did. They are to provide the church with examples of spiritual maturity and Christ likeness.
4. Q. What is the meaning of Church baptism?
ANSWER: Baptism in the name of the triune God (Mt. 28:19) testifies to the believer’s faith (Acts 2:38;8:37-38), symbolizes the washing away of his sins (Acts 22:16). It expresses the believer’s identification with Christ in his death, burial, resurrection and his intention to live a Christ- exalting life (Rom. 6:1-23).
5. Q. what is the meaning of the Lord’s Supper?
ANSWER: The Lord’s Supper is a church observation in which believers share bread and the cup as a memorial of Christ’s crucified body and shed blood (Mt. 26:26-29;1 Cor. 11:23-26). By vividly reminding us of the price Jesus paid to save us, Communion calls us to self-examination and spiritual renewal. While it has no saving power, it is not to be observed carelessly or indifferently (1 Cor. 11:27-34).
6. Q. What is the local church to do when a member continues to live in sin despite repeated warnings?
ANSWER: The church is to confront such a person lovingly about his sin. If all attempts at correction are resisted, the church is to disassociate itself from the member with the hope and prayer that such action will result in his repentance and return (Mt. 18:15-20; 1 Cor. 5:1-13).
ANSWER: The Church is the body of Christ. The term Church in the New Testament sometimes refers to the entire body of people-past, present, and future-who through faith in the Lord Jesus make up the organism called the body of Christ-the universal church (Eph. 1:22-23; 5:23-32; Heb. 12:23). At other times the Greek word ekklesia (which means “a called out group”) refers to a local assembly of believers (Rom. 16:5; 1 Cor. 1:2; 16:19; Gal. 1:2; 1 Th. 1:1). In either case, the church should be as important to us as it is to Christ.
2. Q. When did the Church begin?
ANSWER: The Church was born on the Day of Pentecost, 50 days after our Lord’s resurrection, when the Holy Spirit came on a small number of disciples, baptizing them into one body and filling them with His power (Acts 2:1-13). By this act, God temporarily set aside the nation of Israel as his primary means of revealing Himself to the world. In Israel’s place, the Lord chose to work through an international body of people who were united not by national affiliation but by personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ (Gal. 3:27-29; Eph. 2:13-3:10).
3. Q. What are the officers of a local church?
ANSWER: Two bishop (elders) and deacons. Their qualification are given in 1 Timothy 3:1-13. Turmoil, confusion, and spiritual dissension occur as a result of not taking the spiritual qualifications of church leaders as seriously as the apostle Paul did. They are to provide the church with examples of spiritual maturity and Christ likeness.
4. Q. What is the meaning of Church baptism?
ANSWER: Baptism in the name of the triune God (Mt. 28:19) testifies to the believer’s faith (Acts 2:38;8:37-38), symbolizes the washing away of his sins (Acts 22:16). It expresses the believer’s identification with Christ in his death, burial, resurrection and his intention to live a Christ- exalting life (Rom. 6:1-23).
5. Q. what is the meaning of the Lord’s Supper?
ANSWER: The Lord’s Supper is a church observation in which believers share bread and the cup as a memorial of Christ’s crucified body and shed blood (Mt. 26:26-29;1 Cor. 11:23-26). By vividly reminding us of the price Jesus paid to save us, Communion calls us to self-examination and spiritual renewal. While it has no saving power, it is not to be observed carelessly or indifferently (1 Cor. 11:27-34).
6. Q. What is the local church to do when a member continues to live in sin despite repeated warnings?
ANSWER: The church is to confront such a person lovingly about his sin. If all attempts at correction are resisted, the church is to disassociate itself from the member with the hope and prayer that such action will result in his repentance and return (Mt. 18:15-20; 1 Cor. 5:1-13).