The church and its members

Biblical description of the church

• Universal

  • Hebrews 12:15-24 – Old Covenant vs New Covenant

  • Acts 9:31 – The size of the church (in the universal sense) multiplied.

• Local church

  • Galatians 1:21-24

  • I Corinthians 1:1-3

Universal church

• Jesus said He would build it – Matthew 16:18
• Bought it with His blood – Acts 20:28
• Loves it and gave Himself for it – Ephesians 5:25-29
• Wants it pure, blameless, holy – Ephesians 5:27
• Maintained in His word – John 17:17
• His body – Romans 12:4-5

Church – body of Christ

• We are not just individuals
• Members of each other
• One body – I Corinthians 10:16-24
• Seek our neighbors’ good
• Desire that all be pure – Colossians 1:21-23
• All the saved are added to it – Acts 2:41, 47

Local church

• Where all collective activities are undertaken – Acts 20:7

  • Saints have much or most Christian associations – Acts 2:44-47

  • Analogy of the body – I Corinthians 12:12-27

    • Baptized, obedient believer is member of the body

    • We all work together – Philippians 2:1-4

      • Single-minded purpose

      • Part of a whole, each member has a purpose, value – Ephesians 4:11-16