THE CHURCH FROM GOD'S PERSPECTIVE (part 2)

THE CHURCH FROM GOD'S PERSPECTIVE (part 2)

 

In (part 1) we briefly covered the time from the creation of the "first Adam", who was God's "governor" of planet earth, until he lost his position to Satan when he disobeyed the command of God and allowed sin to enter creation. The promised Messiah Jesus Christ came from God to be the "last Adam", (1 Cor 15:45) to reverse the curse brought on creation by the first Adam's sin. It would appear that God's intention was to have a family on earth that would be a proper representative of His Kingdom. (Matt 6:10). This was accomplished by Jesus, who has been in the process of building His true Church, from His exalted position at the Fathers side. (Ps 110:1)

 

As I see it, this Church that Jesus has been calling out of the world to become His [ecclesia], which is the Greek word for a "governmental assembly", has always been His intention! When Jesus chose His first 12 disciples to follow Him, who later became the first apostles, often referred to as the "Apostles of The Lamb" (Rev 21:14), they became part of the foundation of this "Church". Paul the apostle to the Gentiles was the first to be trusted with this great mystery of the Church. In his letters to the Ephesians, and the Colossians, we get our best picture of this Church. Here we find many different every day things like a house, a body, a bride, or a family, to describe the Church. I like both "Body" and "Family" to help me understand a little better what Jesus meant by the Church He said He would build.

 

When Paul compares the Church to our human body which is "fearfully and wonderfully made" (Ps 139:14), we realize that the true Church is an "organic thing", and not an "organization" like General Motors. When we consider the modern church today this is what we see, an organization organized like any business corporation, with its CEO's and chairmen of various boards etc. This must grieve Jesus, who gave us the proper way to gather for worship and fellowship with Him in His Word! It makes you wonder if people ever read the scriptures, which are very clear to give us  directions for when we gather (1 Cor 14:26). It would appear that what Jesus spoke about the Pharisees in (Mark 7:7-8), could apply to many churches today. "Their worship is a farce, for they teach man-made ideas as commands from God. For you ignore God's law and substitute your own traditions"!! (to be continued in part 3)

Sincerely submitted.

Dave Jamer