New Testament Church Series

(I) UNIVERSAL CHURCH - An Outline

by J. Spender in 1984
Permission to transcribe and to distribute the messages in this series had been obtained from
the speaker who retains all rights to these messages.

I. lntroduction

A. Gk: ekklesia - a called out company or assembly
B. First mentioned: Matt. 16:18; 18:17
C. Not mentioned in the O. T. - study Eph. 3:1-10
D. Note three different groups mentioned by Paul: I Cor. 10:32
E. The church: not an organization but an organism (has Head, members, life, a Spirit, can grow, can suffer, etc.)

II. Origin of the Church: Typology & History

III. Metaphors used in the N. T. to describe and teach about the Universal Church

  1. Flock - John 10:16 -- lit. "one flock and one shepherd" (Stresses unity and loving Shepherd.)

  2. Field - I Cor. 3:5-9 -- A garden to raise fruits for His glory. (Many servants, each laboring in God's field.)

  3. Building - I Cor. 3:9-15 -- Living stones - are we adding ? (Emphasis on assembly principles and order.)

  4. Temple - I Cor. 3:16 -- A place of worship and service for the Lord.

  5. Body - I Cor. 12; Eph. 5:22-23 "Body is the vehicle by which a person expresses himself." Once this truth is grasped, a person will never again think of the church as of minor importance but will devote himself to the best interests of Christ's body.

    (Note: Avoid unscriptural and confusing terms: "this body" or "the local body"(Eph. 4:4). Some organizations call themselves "an arm of the church," but a body with three arms ? )

  6. Habitation of God - Eph. 2:22 -- A place for God to dwell - to abide.

  7. Bride - Eph. 5:25-27 -- Stresses the aspect of love and obedience - importance of remaining pure and being called only by Christ's Name.

  8. House of God - I Tim. 3:15 -- speaks of order and discipline (cf. I Pet. 4:17)

  9. Pillar - I Tim. 3:15 -- Used to support the building, also a place for posting public notices. Stresses the spread of the truth and preservation of doctrine.

IV. Conclusion

Paul's great two-fold life ministry should be shared by all of us.
Eph. 3:8 The spread of the gospel everywhere, and
Eph. 3:9 To make ALL men understand "the fellowship of the mystery" i. e. , the Church

(This last passage should be studied and stressed. Most Christians, churches and organizations spend most of their time concentrating on Eph. 3:8 and neglect 3:9. )

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