“I will build my Church and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it“. (Matt 16:18). What an authoritative and exclusive declaration made by Christ Jesus! The Church: the Holy institution that the Lord Jesus has himself foreknown, created, and destined for glory.
What is the church?
The word “church” is from the Greek word “Ekklesia” which is defined as “an assembly” or “called-out ones.” The root meaning of church is not that of a building, but of a people. We all know that He does not refer to a building when the apostle Paul in Romans 16:5 says, “Greet the church that is in their house”, but to a body of believers. Let’s say the church is the gathering of the saints.
The church is the body of Christ, of which He is the supreme head. Not a man, a pastor, a government, or the pope is its head. Ephesians 1:22–23 says, “And God placed all things under His feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way“. It is biblical to say that the Lord has foreknown his Church – the assembly of the redeemed, which can also be called the universal church, from before the foundation of the world. But it came to be instituted in time on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2). And there we have the local church.
The Holiness of the Church
In numerous places in the scriptures the church has been called to “be holy”, as a redeemed people purchased by His blood. The apostle Peter wrote: “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy”. ( 1 pet 2:9). This here defines the identity and the holiness of the Church.
The only people on earth called a holy nation, a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a special people, called out of darkness to a marvelous light, and who have obtained mercy; in order that they may proclaim the praises of Him who called. That itself makes the church the only place where obedience, worship, love, and godliness, flow out of gratitude to The Savior.
The life and glory of the church
Christ himself is the life of the church. He who called us out of darkness into light, out of death to life by his own death and resurrection. In this regard Paul the apostle wrote: ” If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory” (col 3:1-4).
So we, the redeemed – the church, have not only been given life but are partakers of glory with Christ (col 3: 4). How marvelous is that thought! This is the living hope of the church! This is why we endure and walk with him: for the joy set before us – His Glory.
Therefore the church cannot be a place suitable for unbelievers. They must be strange in such an environment where thanksgiving and worship flow. But if there happens to be any, they must hear the pure gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, called to repent from their sins and trust in Him alone, in order to partake in this marvelous joy of salvation, and the future hope of glory (1 cor 14:24-25).
The church’s duty
You are the salt of the earth, the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Can anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket? No, but on the lampstand, then it gives light to all who are in the house. (Matt 5:14-15). We are not only redeemed to be partakers of the Glory of Christ, but to live today in obedience to His word, love for the Savior and our neighbors. In other words, the church has been given a duty based on her identity. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works…(Eph 2:10).
It is Charles Spurgeon who said:
The bible is not the light of the world, it is the light of the church. But the world does not read the bible, the world reads Christians! You are the light of the world.
The church’s duty is to testify to the lost ones about the good news of the faith, with love for their souls and obedience to the Master. Dear reader, let’s be the church! preach the gospel! Do not be a light covered under a basket! Be the city that is set on a hill! “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven (Matt 5:16).
