Posted by
ValiantForTruth on Tuesday, July 24, 2007 7:17:37 PM
What is the Church according to the New Testament?
The New Testament makes a distinction between the universal church defined as the body and bride of Christ and the visible church assembled as particular congregations. The Scriptures know nothing of any visible church identifying itself as the catholic or universal church. Any assembly of churches who does so whether Protestant or Catholic has set itself in opposition to the apostolic testimony given in the New Testament.
Just as there is one body of Christ, not many, there is one faith; that is, one body of truth to testify that Jesus is the Christ. [John 20:30-31]
‘There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.’ [Ephesians 4:4-5]
According to Jude this faith was once for all delivered to the church. ‘To those who are called, sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ...’
‘Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints. For certain men have crept in unnoticed, who long ago were marked out for this condemnation, ungodly men, who turn the grace of our God into lewdness and deny the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ. [Jude 3-4]
He warns the church that the truth of the gospel will be challenged by corrupt men. His exhortation is for the church to defend the body of faith because it is the truth delivered to the church by the Spirit of God. ‘All Scripture is God breathed…’ [II Timothy 3:16]
The Universal Church of Christ
The catholic or universal church may be called invisible being likened to the spouse and body of Jesus Christ. It consists of the whole number of the elect, who have been, are, or shall be gathered into one, under Christ, the head of His church. [Adapted from early Protestant Confessions of Faith ‘Of the Church’ paragraph 1]
There is one Church of Christ made up of those believers from every generation regenerated by the Spirit and raised up with Christ on hearing the word of God in faith. These are the body and spouse of Christ and the Scripture knows no others. This is the general assembly referred to in Hebrews 12…
‘But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to an innumerable company of angels, to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are registered in heaven, to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of just men made perfect, to Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling that speaks better things than that of Abel.’ [Hebrews 12:22-24]
Mount Zion in the New Testament is associated with the heavenly Jerusalem. In Rev 21:2 the New Jerusalem is compared to a bride made ready for her bridegroom. This is similar language used to describe Christ and His church in Ephesians 5:26-27…
‘Christ might present her [His bride] to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.’
The Scripture leaves no doubt as to the identity of the head of the church. It is no other than the founder and redeemer of the church…
‘Christ is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence. [Colossians 1:18]
Neither can the Pope of Rome in any sense be head thereof. The Scripture gives strong warning against anyone who exalts himself in the church opposed to the doctrine of Christ. [II Thessalonians 2:4]
Next Post: What does the Scripture have to say about the church visible in the world?