What is Church?
By D. Adams
March 17, 2007
What is the definition of Church according to Christianity?
A church could be defined as:
- A
building for public, especially Christian worship.
- A
Church
- The
company of all Christians regarded as a spiritual body.
- A
specified Christian denomination: (i.e. the Presbyterian
Church).
- A
congregation.
The most recent edition of the World Christian Encyclopedia
now states that there are more than 33,000 different denominations. Some of
these are Churches that have filed for an independent status. How do we reason
with all these different views of tradition? For the newly found Christian it
can be overwhelming to make a decision on which church to attend. The most
important thing to remember is that the true church is the body of Christ, and
the members of that Church are the followers of Christ.
Eph 4:11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and
some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
Eph 4:12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of
the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
Eph 4:13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of
the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the
stature of the fulness of Christ:
Eph 4:14 That we henceforth be no more
children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by
the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie
in wait to deceive;
Eph 4:15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into
him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
Eph 4:16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and
compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual
working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the
edifying of itself in love.
How do we find unity within diversity?
Christians have unity of beliefs in three basic forms.
- Ontological
Unity
- Creedal
Unity
- Function
Unity
Ontological Unity is unity in who we
essentially are—the invisible body of Christ. In 1 Corinthians 12, the Bible
speaks of the different members in one body. There is unity and diversity
amongst all of the body of Christ. (cf. 12:12-21)
1 Corinthians 12:27 “Now you are Christ’s body, and each of you is a member of it”.
Creedal Unity is explicitly confirmed
unity in all essential beliefs. The Creedal statements (summary of beliefs) are
the written body of teachings that are generally accepted by Christians. Not
all Christians are in agreement over all creeds. We can however take this
summary of beliefs and form the most common beliefs in orthodox Christianity.
- Belief
in God
- Belief
that God is the creator of the heavens and earth
- Belief
in the Trinity
- Belief
in the hypostatic union
- Belief
in the resurrection of Christ
- Belief
in the atonement
- Belief
in the sinfulness of Man
- Belief
in the necessity of faith in Christ
- Belief
in the guidance of the Holy Spirit
- Belief
in the inspiration of scripture
- Belief
in the authority of Scripture
- Belief
in God’s love
- Belief
in God’s righteousness
- Belief
in the need for prayer
- Belief
in morality
- Belief
in evil
- Practice
of baptism
- Practice
of the Lord’s supper / Eucharist
- Belief
in the second coming of Christ
- Belief
in final judgment
- Belief
in the new heavens and earth
- Belief
in the same 66 books of the canon (at least)
- Belief
in the need to love others
- Belief
in the need to love God
It is important to realize that these creedal beliefs are
derived, or articulated within scripture. The list may not be exhaustive but it
is a good starting point for defining the orthodox beliefs of nearly 2000 years
of believers.
Functional Unity can be described as
unified efforts in accomplishing common goals (e.g. feeding the hungry, helping
the poor and needy, etc). This is emphatically emphasized in the book of
Matthew verses 25:31-46. The typical church may have a local food pantry to
help feed local recipients, a missionary project to spread the gospel or to
care for those needy outside their community or even the United States.
UNITY AND DIVERSITY
As Christians are defined as the body of Christ—we can, at
the same time, have unity and diversity. In 1 Corinthians chapter 12 we are
described as different members in one body. Imagine if you can for a moment,
that while we may not all share the same spiritual or mechanical skills, we can
be a blessing or comfort to others. How can we be have different views but be
united? A great modern example of this unity is the conceptualization of “E pluribus
Unum” which is a Latin phrase for “ Out of many, one” As Americans
we can understand this nomenclature is an example of how we can be united—but
yet not the same. This same concept can be recognized with Christians being
united as one in the body of Christ.
Scripture interpretation
Cover the essentials in determining proper interpretation of
scripture:
- Culture
at that time
- who
the verse is addressed to
- who is
saying the verse
- context-read
the entire paragraph or chapter
- note
Bible has 40 authors and each literary form or norm will vary
- progressive
revelation
- is the
verse poetry, prose, lamentation, oracle, covenant, etc
- what
are the parallel verses on this topic throughout the Bible
- Is
this a timeless principle?
The concentric circle of importance is the essentials for
salvation, essential for Orthodoxy. Is it possible to have complete unity? Yes,
because there is a top down mentality, in whatever the top says everyone
rallies around. Which is better? To be unified in statement or actuality?
Sometimes a structure is created to reach unity. In John 17:11, 21-22 is it
that we agree on every single issue? Searching produces a true understanding.
Part of the Protestant creed is to say—struggling with issues—internalizing
them ourselves is better than someone telling you what to believe.
