In Matthew 28:19-20, Jesus gave some simple instruction to His disciples, “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.” (NKJV) What we are left with our four very simple suggestions for those who comprise the church. We as believers in Christ make up the living, breathing organism known as the church. The Greek word for church is "ekklesia" a gathering of citizens called out from their homes into some public place, an assembly. Or, it can be further defined as, a company of Christians, or of those who, hoping for eternal salvation through Jesus Christ, observe their own religious rites, hold their own religious meetings, and manage their own affairs, according to regulations prescribed for the body for order's sake by the Word of God.
So when we use the word church we are not necessarily talking about a building, or even a specific location, but rather a gathering together of people who hold someone in high regard because of what that Person has done in their life. We are talking about Jesus Christ, who through the singular act of redemption has granted salvation to any who would believe in Him.
As a result of that act of redemption we come to Him through repentance with a willingness to confess our sin and receive Him as our Lord and Savior. What results from a singular act of faith and obedience is the culmination of many people recognizing the need to gather to worship, pray and find instruction in the Word of God. This is what we call "CHURCH." Then there is that passage previously mentioned, Matthew 28:19-20, which carries with it the idea of accomplishing three important things:
[1] A MANDATE- "....go therefore"
[2] A MISSION - "...make disciples"
[3] A MINISTRY - "...teaching them to observe"
All of these can be accomplished both in the Church and outside of the Church in the world. It reminds me of some of the last words spoken by Jesus to His disciples, “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”” (Acts 1:8 NKJV)
So when we use the word church we are not necessarily talking about a building, or even a specific location, but rather a gathering together of people who hold someone in high regard because of what that Person has done in their life. We are talking about Jesus Christ, who through the singular act of redemption has granted salvation to any who would believe in Him.
As a result of that act of redemption we come to Him through repentance with a willingness to confess our sin and receive Him as our Lord and Savior. What results from a singular act of faith and obedience is the culmination of many people recognizing the need to gather to worship, pray and find instruction in the Word of God. This is what we call "CHURCH." Then there is that passage previously mentioned, Matthew 28:19-20, which carries with it the idea of accomplishing three important things:
[1] A MANDATE- "....go therefore"
[2] A MISSION - "...make disciples"
[3] A MINISTRY - "...teaching them to observe"
All of these can be accomplished both in the Church and outside of the Church in the world. It reminds me of some of the last words spoken by Jesus to His disciples, “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”” (Acts 1:8 NKJV)
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