The Body of Christ is a Place to Belong
The Christian church is a place for believers to belong. Here's what the Bible says about the Church itself:
The Church is for Christians
The Church is built upon the foundation of the apostles and the prophets. No, this foundation is not Peter but Jesus Christ. It's really amazing how Roman Catholics tend to misread the obvious context of Matthew 16:18-19. Even the Good News Translation which is a Roman Catholic translation gives a clear distinction between Peter who is "a rock" and "upon this Rock" yet they believe that Peter is the Rock! Also, just to add how can the Roman Catholic institution be the apostolic, holy universal (or catholic) Church when it's got centuries after centuries of extrabiblical doctrine that's not found in the apostolic writings?
We can turn back to Peter yet again and the confession of faith.
What are these keys? Are these literal keys? Contrary to what Roman Catholicism teaches - this did not grant Peter any absolute authority or primacy as the Pope is said to enjoy. Instead, we are talking about the call to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ. That is the mission of the Church. This is to declare the truth. In Jewish phraseology this meant to prohibit and to allow - yet we are to understand that pastoral authority must be based on the Scriptures.
John 13:35 shows the mark of the household of God. You are called to love one another. No, this is not about the worldly kind of love but real love found in 1 Corinthians 13. This is all about true genuine concern. This is where you don't have the just mind your own business. On the contrary, Jesus also taught about Church discipline.
The Church wherever it may be located spiritually is not a place where it's just "you mind your own business." Instead, it's a place where believers are made to watch out for each other - to correct and exhort one another in Christ. This also teaches the principle of rebuking one's fellow Christian in private as much as possible in concern, to help keep each other in their tracks. Having that kind of fellowship is really necessary for this reason in fellowship (Proverbs 27:17).
The issue is Christians have different levels of maturity. No one is exactly alike. Some are more mature and others are still immature. That's why fellowship is important as it provides help for the spiritually immature by having spiritually mature brethren to guide them.
There is the call for Christians to never forsake the assembly
Church attendance is also one of the most vital parts of Christian life. No one can say that, "Well I can just do this alone. I read the Bible. I pray." Sure, time alone is important then again so is time to worship God as a community. You can't have Christianity without resulting to one's membership in the Church founded by Jesus and His apostles.
The Church itself is the pillar and ground of the truth. Again, this is not referring to any church building or earthly organized religion. This is talking about the Body of Christ as the pillar and ground of the truth found in the Scripture. The principle is Sola Scriptura which uses the Scripture as the basis for Christian tradition and doctrine and not some council that merely claims to succeed the apostles yet teach something that the apostles never taught as doctrine.
Church attendance itself doesn't only help in growth but also grant protection. You can read of how straying away can be dangerous. Do you remember Peter when he was alone? It really led to him denying that he was ever a follower of Christ (Matthew 26:33-35, Mark 14:29-31, Luke 22:33-34 and John 13:36-38). David tarried in Jerusalem when he should have been with his fellow soldiers led to his backsliding (2 Samuel 11).
One good illustration of why people must be banded together is the kind of prey that lions like. Do you know lions wait for one of the members of the herd to stray away? It would be unwise for a lion to attack its prey when it's part of a herd. The easiest ones to attack are those that are alone. Straying away from fellowship is a guarantee that Satan and his demons could manipulate the person one way or another. The demons found David at his weakest and ruined his testimony which marked a lifelong mockery for such a godly man. A pastor may suddenly find himself in adultery if he doesn't do a thing about his midlife crisis or breaks away in fellowship with his family.
Do you know that regular Christian fellowship glorifies God? It is all about getting together to honor God. That's why fellowship is very important in the Christian life.
See also:
Ephesians 2:19-22
Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; [20] and are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; [21] in whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: [22] in whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.
The Church is for Christians
The Church is built upon the foundation of the apostles and the prophets. No, this foundation is not Peter but Jesus Christ. It's really amazing how Roman Catholics tend to misread the obvious context of Matthew 16:18-19. Even the Good News Translation which is a Roman Catholic translation gives a clear distinction between Peter who is "a rock" and "upon this Rock" yet they believe that Peter is the Rock! Also, just to add how can the Roman Catholic institution be the apostolic, holy universal (or catholic) Church when it's got centuries after centuries of extrabiblical doctrine that's not found in the apostolic writings?
We can turn back to Peter yet again and the confession of faith.
Matthew 16:16-19
And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. [17] And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but My Father which is in heaven. [18] And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this Rock I will build My Church; and the gates of Hell shall not prevail against it. [19] And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
What are these keys? Are these literal keys? Contrary to what Roman Catholicism teaches - this did not grant Peter any absolute authority or primacy as the Pope is said to enjoy. Instead, we are talking about the call to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ. That is the mission of the Church. This is to declare the truth. In Jewish phraseology this meant to prohibit and to allow - yet we are to understand that pastoral authority must be based on the Scriptures.
John 13:35 shows the mark of the household of God. You are called to love one another. No, this is not about the worldly kind of love but real love found in 1 Corinthians 13. This is all about true genuine concern. This is where you don't have the just mind your own business. On the contrary, Jesus also taught about Church discipline.
Matthew 18:15-20
Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. [16] But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. [17] And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican. [18] Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. [19] Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of My Father which is in heaven. [20] For where two or three are gathered together in My name, there Am I in the midst of them.
Hebrews 3:13
But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.
The Church wherever it may be located spiritually is not a place where it's just "you mind your own business." Instead, it's a place where believers are made to watch out for each other - to correct and exhort one another in Christ. This also teaches the principle of rebuking one's fellow Christian in private as much as possible in concern, to help keep each other in their tracks. Having that kind of fellowship is really necessary for this reason in fellowship (Proverbs 27:17).
The issue is Christians have different levels of maturity. No one is exactly alike. Some are more mature and others are still immature. That's why fellowship is important as it provides help for the spiritually immature by having spiritually mature brethren to guide them.
There is the call for Christians to never forsake the assembly
Church attendance is also one of the most vital parts of Christian life. No one can say that, "Well I can just do this alone. I read the Bible. I pray." Sure, time alone is important then again so is time to worship God as a community. You can't have Christianity without resulting to one's membership in the Church founded by Jesus and His apostles.
Hebrews 10:25
Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
1 Timothy 3:15
But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the Church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.
The Church itself is the pillar and ground of the truth. Again, this is not referring to any church building or earthly organized religion. This is talking about the Body of Christ as the pillar and ground of the truth found in the Scripture. The principle is Sola Scriptura which uses the Scripture as the basis for Christian tradition and doctrine and not some council that merely claims to succeed the apostles yet teach something that the apostles never taught as doctrine.
Church attendance itself doesn't only help in growth but also grant protection. You can read of how straying away can be dangerous. Do you remember Peter when he was alone? It really led to him denying that he was ever a follower of Christ (Matthew 26:33-35, Mark 14:29-31, Luke 22:33-34 and John 13:36-38). David tarried in Jerusalem when he should have been with his fellow soldiers led to his backsliding (2 Samuel 11).
One good illustration of why people must be banded together is the kind of prey that lions like. Do you know lions wait for one of the members of the herd to stray away? It would be unwise for a lion to attack its prey when it's part of a herd. The easiest ones to attack are those that are alone. Straying away from fellowship is a guarantee that Satan and his demons could manipulate the person one way or another. The demons found David at his weakest and ruined his testimony which marked a lifelong mockery for such a godly man. A pastor may suddenly find himself in adultery if he doesn't do a thing about his midlife crisis or breaks away in fellowship with his family.
Do you know that regular Christian fellowship glorifies God? It is all about getting together to honor God. That's why fellowship is very important in the Christian life.
Psalm 26:8
LORD, I have loved the habitation of Thy House, and the place where Thine honour dwelleth.
Psalm 27:4
One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the House of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in His Temple.
See also:
- Are You Going to Church or Just to a Nice Building on a Finely Manicured Lawn?
- Commentary on 1 Timothy 3:15- The Church as the Pillar and Ground of the Truth
- Continuing the Reformation Means Continuing the Biblical Tradition of Church Discipline
- Handling the Problem of Church Division
- The Characteristics of an Outstanding Local New Testament Church
- The Church DID NOT and DOES NOT Apostasize