|
|
The Universal Church The word church comes from the Greek word, ekklesia. It refers to a group that has been called out, or separated from others. In the Greek, the word is not used exclusively in a religious sense. A ball team is a group of players that has been chosen or separated from the general population. A jury is a group of people selected from a larger pool of people for a specific purpose, to decide the guilt or innocence of the accused. When reading the New Testament, we see the word ekklesia in Acts 7.38, “This is he, that was in the church in the wilderness with the angel which spake to him in the mount Sina, and [with] our fathers: who received the lively oracles to give unto us:” Luke is referring to the children of Israel in the wilderness. Notice the King James Bible translated the word ekklesia as the word “church,” whereas the New King James translated it as “congregation.” Israel had been separated from Egypt and the rest of the nations. As Peter says they were chosen by God and His special people, 1 Peter 2.9. Their purpose was to “proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.” (1 Peter 2.9b) In Acts 19 the Gospel was preached in Ephesus. A commotion commenced when some realized Christianity could jeopardize their trade of selling idols. “Some therefore cried one thing and some another, for the assembly was confused, and most of them did not know why they had come together.” (Acts 19.32) The word “assembly” is translated from the word ekklesia. Later on we come across a different word used from ekklesia, "For indeed we are in danger of being accused of a riot in connection with today's events, since there is no {real} cause {for it,} and in this connection we will be unable to account for this disorderly gathering." (Acts 19.40, NASB) Here the word “riot” is used to describe this group of people. In each case the word ekklesia is used to refer to a group of people. At Ephesus they were separated to persecute and punish the Apostle Paul. In Acts 7 it refers to the nation of Israel. Therefore, the word church refers to a group of people. The first time ekklesia is translated as “church” in the New Testament is in Matthew 16.18, “And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.” Jesus is not referring to a building, but a group of people that He will establish. How will He build this church? In speaking to the elders of Ephesus Paul states, “Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.” (Acts 20.28) As Jesus hung on the cross Roman soldiers came to His body and one of them pierced His side with a spear, “But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out.” (John 19.34) Jesus died for our sins. In his resurrection He overcame death, in His ascension He took His place at the right hand of God, Hebrews 10.12. This is all stated in 1 Peter 3.21-22, “There is also an antitype which now saves us--baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, angels and authorities and powers having been made subject to Him.” How does one become part of Christ’s church? By hearing the Gospel of Christ, Romans 1.16; confessing Jesus as the Son of God, Acts 8.37, repenting of one’s sins and being baptized from the forgiveness of sin, Acts 2.38. At the point of baptism one’s sins are washed away by the blood of Christ, Acts 22.16. “So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church [fn] daily those who were being saved.” (Acts 2.46-47) Those people that are saved are added to the body of Christ which is His church, Colossians 1.18. The church spoken of in Acts 2.47 is often referred to as the Universal Church or all of the saved throughout the world. I could go even further and say that it includes all of those that have obeyed the Gospel of Christ and lived faithfully; those that died and those that are alive today. The Universal church has only one founder and that being Jesus Christ. “For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” (1Corinthians 3.11). It has only one head and that being our Savior, Ephesians 5.23. There can only be one body of saved people. To argue otherwise would mean that either one can be saved by a different Savior, or Jesus created more than one church. Both plainly contradict the divine scriptures. “Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."(Acts 4.12) There is only one Savior and one King, that being Jesus Christ. Just as Jesus had only one body so He promised to establish only one church. Matthew 16.18 does not use the word “churches” but “church” as Jesus promised to build His church. Ephesians 4.4 says there is only one body. There is also only one means of entrance into Christ’s church. “I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.” (John 10.9) One cannot enter into Christ except through obedience to His word, Hebrews 5.9. The Universal church has no early organization. There is no earthly building that can claim to be the Universal headquarters of the church. There is no man on earth that can claim to be the head of Christ’s church. The Universal church does not meet at one place or worship together at one physical location. The only time that ever happened was in the infancy of the church and all the saints were at Jerusalem in Acts 2 through Acts 7. In the eight chapter persecution arose at Jerusalem and Christian were scattered throughout the region. Never again did all the saints throughout the world worship together. However, all Christians are members of Jesus’ body, His church. Are you a member of His church. If not we implore you to study the scriptures in this article and if you find them to be true to do what God says so you can have the hope of salvation. – Dennis Tucker
|