The church and its members
Biblical description of the church
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Universal
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Hebrews 12:15-24 – Old Covenant vs New Covenant
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Acts 9:31 – The size of the church (in the universal sense) multiplied.
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Local church
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
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Where all collective activities are undertaken – Acts 20:7
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Saints have much or most Christian associations – Acts 2:44-47
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Analogy of the body – I Corinthians 12:12-27
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Baptized, obedient believer is member of the body
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We all work together – Philippians 2:1-4
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Single-minded purpose
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Part of a whole, each member has a purpose, value – Ephesians 4:11-16
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