The Church

Question 1

What is the Church?

Answer 1

Ecclesia: Called out ones

The body of believers
Romans 12:4-5. For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.

The Chosen people, royal priesthood, holy nation
1 Peter 2:9-10
…you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

Question 2

What are some of the metaphors used in Scripture to describe the Church?

Answer 2

A Body - 1 Corinthians 12, Ephesians 4
A Family - John 1, Ephesians 2
A Bride - 2 Corinthians 11, Ephesians 5
A Temple - Psalm 22, 1 Peter 2

Question 3

What is the Scriptural mission of the Church?

Answer 3

Fulfill the great commission:
Make disciples, baptizing, teaching. (Matthew 28:19-20)
Glorify God
Love one another

Question 4

What is the purpose and function of the local assemby?

Answer 4

Make and build disciples
“Win” - Lead people to come to saving faith in Jesus.
“Build” - Lead people to grow in that faith.
“Equip” - Lead people to develop means to express that faith.
“Multiply” - Lead people to seek to win others and lead those others to grow and be equipped.
“Send” - Lead people to take this process to new places and settings.

Ephesians 1 - Glorify God
John 13 - Love one another

Question 5

What is the biblical basis for a reproducing church?

Answer 5

Matt 28, Acts 1

Question 6

What is the Scriptural procedure for church discipline?

Answer 6

Matthew 18

(1) “If your brother or sister sins,
(2) go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over.
(3) But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’
(4) If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church;
(5) and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector.

Begin with restoration as the goal and be gentle (Gal. 6:1)

Question 7

What is the role of the pastor in church leadership?

Answer 7

Shepherd Acs 20
Equip Ephesians 4:11-12
Oversee Titus 1

Question 8

What are the Scriptural qualifications and functions of elders/church leaders?

Answer 8

Titus 1:5-9
Blameless as a steward of God, above reproach.
Faithful husband to his wife.
Temperate, sober, vigilant.
Sober-minded, prudent.
Of good behaviour, orderly, respectable.
Given to hospitality.
Able to teach.
Not given to wine.