Ecclesiology Flashcards
What is the church?
The community of all true believers for all time. Hebrews 12:23 “and to the assembly (ekklesia) of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, and to Jesus, the mediator of the new covenant.” Ephesians 1:22-23 “And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.”
Purpose of the Church
To glorify God through lives changed by the gospel of Jesus Christ. Colossians 3:16 “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.”
Visible Church
The church as we see it. The local and universal church. 1 Corinthians speaks the of the church in both of these terms. 1 Cor. 1, “the Church of God in Corinth.” Gal. 1, “The churches in Galatia”
Invisible Church
The church as God sees it. Hebrews 12:23
Apostles
An office of the church which is no longer occupied today.
Elder/Pastor
Titus 1, 1 Tim. 3, Eph 4, “Teacher/Pastor”
Deacon 1 Tim 3, Phil 1:1
Offices
A church officer is someone who has been publicly recognized as having certain responsibilities and rights to perform certain functions for the good of the whole church. Apostle, Elder, Deacon. Ephesians 4:11-12 “And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ,” Acts 14:23 “And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, with prayer and fasting they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed.” Titus 1:5 “This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you.”
Church Discipline
The purpose is restoration and reconciliation. Matt 18, 1 Cor. 5, 1 Corinthians 5:12 “For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge?”
Continuity/Discontinuity with Israel
2 Corinthians 1:20 “For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory.” Galatians 3:16 “Now the promises were made to Abraham and to his offspring. It does not say, “And to offsprings,” referring to many, but referring to one, “And to your offspring,” who is Christ.””
Baptism
Colossians 2:12 “having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead.” Acts 2:38 “And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
Lord’s Supper
Matt 26, Mark 14, Luke 22, 1 Cor. 11:23-29
Congregational Rule
Autonomy and democracy. All members are responsible for guarding the membership and leadership of the church and for guarding the reputation of Jesus and his church. The whole congregation chooses Judas’s successor (Acts 1) and deacons (Acts 6). 1 Cor 5:2, “Let him who has done this be removed from among you.”
