Ecclesiology

The word 'church' (ekklesia) means 'called-out assembly'—those whom God has called out of the world unto Himself. The church is not a building but a people, not an organization but an organism. It is the body of Christ, the household of God, the pillar and ground of truth. The church exists wherever believers gather in Christ's name—for where two or three are gathered in His name, there He is in the midst. The church is both local (congregations in specific places) and universal (all believers throughout all time). Christ loved the church and gave Himself for it.

The church is the body of Christ—He is the head, believers are the members. This is not mere metaphor but mystical union. By one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Gentiles, bond or free. The body has many members with different functions, yet all are necessary. The eye cannot say to the hand, 'I have no need of you.' There is one body, one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all. The body grows and builds itself up in love as each part does its work. We are members one of another.

The church is the bride of Christ, betrothed to Him and awaiting the marriage supper of the Lamb. Christ loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her, presenting her to Himself as a glorious church without spot or wrinkle. The marriage relationship between husband and wife is a mystery that points to Christ and the church. John saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. The Spirit and the bride say, 'Come.' This imagery speaks of intimacy, covenant faithfulness, and eternal union.

Christ prayed that His followers would be one, even as He and the Father are one—that the world might believe. This unity is not organizational uniformity but spiritual oneness in Christ. There is one body, one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God. We are to endeavor to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Division is carnal; factions indicate spiritual immaturity. The church's unity should reflect the unity of the Godhead—diverse persons in perfect harmony. This unity is both a gift to be received and a goal to be pursued.

The church is called to be holy, set apart from the world for God's purposes. We are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people. Christ gave Himself for the church that He might sanctify and cleanse her. The church is the temple of the Holy Spirit—God's dwelling place. Therefore we are to cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. The church must maintain moral purity through discipline, putting away from yourselves that wicked person. Holiness is not optional but essential to the church's identity.

Christ alone is the head of the church—He has all authority in heaven and on earth. God put all things under His feet and gave Him to be head over all things to the church. No human being, council, or tradition can usurp His headship. The church submits to Christ as a wife submits to her husband. Christ directs the church through His Word and Spirit. Every knee must bow to Him; every tongue confess that He is Lord. The church has no king but Jesus. All earthly leadership in the church derives from and is accountable to His authority.

Christ has given the church officers for its government and care. Elders (also called bishops, pastors, overseers) are to shepherd the flock of God, exercising oversight not by constraint but willingly. They must be blameless, able to teach, not given to wine, not greedy, ruling their own houses well. Deacons are servants who care for practical needs, freeing elders for prayer and the ministry of the Word. They too must be grave, not doubletongued, holding the mystery of faith in a pure conscience. These offices are qualifications-based, not merely appointed positions.

Christ commissioned His church to make disciples of all nations, baptizing them and teaching them to observe all that He commanded. This is the church's primary mission—not social reform, political action, or cultural engagement, though these may flow from it. The gospel must be preached to every creature. We are Christ's ambassadors, imploring the world to be reconciled to God. The harvest is plentiful but the laborers are few—we must pray the Lord of the harvest to send workers. This commission remains until the end of the age.

The church gathers for the worship of God and the mutual edification of believers. We are to let the word of Christ dwell in us richly, teaching and admonishing one another. Forsake not the assembling of yourselves together. When the church gathers, each one has a psalm, a doctrine, a tongue, a revelation—let all things be done unto edifying. The purpose of spiritual gifts is the building up of the body. We are to grow up into Christ in all things. Worship is not entertainment; edification is not self-help. Both center on Christ and His Word.

Baptism is the initiatory ordinance of the church, commanded by Christ and practiced from the church's beginning. It is the outward sign of inward grace—a public confession of faith in Christ. In baptism we identify with Christ's death, burial, and resurrection. We are buried with Him by baptism into death, that like as Christ was raised, even so we should walk in newness of life. Baptism does not save but demonstrates salvation already received. It pictures the washing of regeneration and marks entrance into the visible community of faith.

The Lord's Supper is the ongoing ordinance by which the church remembers Christ's death until He comes. On the night He was betrayed, Jesus took bread and the cup, establishing this memorial: 'This do in remembrance of me.' As often as we eat this bread and drink this cup, we proclaim the Lord's death. It is communion—participation in the body and blood of Christ. The church is to examine itself before partaking, discerning the Lord's body. Those who eat and drink unworthily eat and drink judgment to themselves. It is a solemn, sacred feast of remembrance and proclamation.