God's People and Me! The Doctrine of the Church

A Vacation Bible School Curriculum by Barry McWilliams

What is the Church? Why is it important to me? Why am I an important part of it?

Church membership is an essential part of a believer's life whether that believer is five or fifty years old. While a young child may not bear all the adult responsibilities involved in membership, yet a full participation in the church's "body life" is meant to be a part of their life in Christ.

The Church is indespensible to believers: Eph 3:10; 4:16; 5:27. Believer's are to be in subjection to elders who are held accountable for them: Hebrews 13:7, 17. The Church has a mission to the end of the Age: Matt 28:18-20. Its purpose includes the growth of believers into Christ's image: Eph 4.

The Church is described in the Scriptures with a variety of illustrative names:

The word "church" means "called out ones." The term is used 115 times in the NT. It refers to those who have been called by the Spirit to salvation in Christ; called from their sins and the world to serve and praise God.
It is the Body of Christ of which Jesus is the Head, and every member is a part of the whole. See I Cor 12:27 Eph 1:22,23 Eph 4:15-16.
It is the Household of God. See Eph 2:19; Gal 5:10.
It is the Flock of God pastored by God's shepherds over which Jesus is the Chief Shepherd. See I Peter 5:2,4; John 10:1-18; Jere 23:1-8.
It is the People of God. A term rich in OT significance. I Peter 2:9-10. Titus 2:14. Cf. Exo 19:4-6; 15:13; Deut 32:9-12.
The concept of the Church as the Remnant of the OT people of God, gathered from among the nations ties together the OT and NT people of God. Isa 35; 45; Romans 9:22ff; Romans 11.
It is the Vineyard and Jesus is the master gardener. Isa 5:1f; Matt 23:33f. John 15:1-17. The Scriptures often use botanical imagery, speaking of believers and the church as "growing organisms", in which every part is important to the life of the whole. Eph 4:15,16
It is an Inheritance and Jesus is the heir. Eph 1:18.
It is a Building, or a Temple built on the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets (the Word of God); the dwelling place of the Spirit; of which Jesus is the chief cornerstone. I Peter 2:4-8; Eph 2:20-22.
It is the Kingdom of God over which Jesus is the King. Matt 16:18-19; 1 Peter 2:9.

We can speak of the church as being both "Visible" and "Invisible".

The church "Invisible" is made up of the whole number of those chosen and redeemed by Christ through all time. It is made up of the saints past, present and future, and of men and women from every corner of the globe and of multitudes of races, nations and languages.

Pentacost is a picture of the church universal in that God's Spirit was poured out on an assemblage from throughout the known world and they heard the Gospel spoken in their own tongues.

The church is made "visible" when believers are visible. As they profess their faith before the world, manifest holy lives and separate themselves from worldliness, they show themselves to be a distinct people of God. They bear the name of Christ and are called "Christians".

The Bible makes it clear that the Lord has called his people to form visible communities of believers, organized with pastors and elders leading the flock, bound together by covenant to love one another and serve the Lord together.

The church was made visible in the days following Pentacost as the new belivers formed into congregations devoted to the Apostles' teaching, to fellowship, to the breaking of bread (Sacraments - Communion?) and to prayer. Apparently the believers were organized into smaller "house churches", but together made up the church. As the missionaries moved out from Jerusalem, they organized congregations of Christians and trained shepherds to minister to them.

Compare these elements that make up a church's "body life" to the marks of the church stressed by the 16th Century Reformers: The preaching of the Word of God; The faithful administration of the Sacraments; Discipline in the lives of Believers; Love and Service

The concept of Local Church membership.

Church membership is not like membership in a club or social group, to be entered in lightly, or to be abandoned when things are tough or interest lags. This can be seen both in the way we enter into the church and in our responsibilities as a part of it.

Before we can become a part of the church, we must first be a part of the invisible church. Profession of Faith in Christ and baptism has throughout the history of the church since Pentacost been the way an individual or a family are brought into the church. (Acts 2:38,39; 47).

But just being a part of the invisible church is not enough, we are called to become part of the visible church. Joining a church is an entering into a covenant with God and his people, submitting ourselves to the care and nurture of others and to serving God and one another and it brings with it responsibilities that can not be casually neglected or abandoned.

Consider just a part of what God expects of those who have entered into Church membership:

Keeping your attendence regular. (Hebr 10:25)
Keeping your life pure and consistent for Christ according to His word. (I Tim 4:12)
Supporting the Church with tithes and offerings. (2 Cor 9:6-8)
Working for Christ in the programs of the church. (Rom 12:4-16)
Witnessing to others and bringing them into the church. (Acts 2:48)
Praying regularly together. (Eph 6:18-20; Col 4:2f)
Encouraging and admonishing one another.( Eph 4:25-5:2. Phil 2:1-4; Col 3:12-17.)
Submission to the leadership of the pastor and session. (Hebr 13:7,17)

We can speak of the church as both a "organization" and an "organism".

As an organization it is a "systematic union of individuals in a body whose officers, agents and members work together for a common end." As an organization it has shepherds and sheep.

As an organism, it is a "body composed of different organs or parts performing special functions that are mutually dependent and essential for life." As an organism the eye can't say to the foot, "I don't need you".

On one hand it is a building, on the other a body. As an organization there is government and structure, as an organism every member is important and makes a significant contribution to the whole.

God has defined its structure: It is ruled by Christ though Pastors and Elders (shepherds) and Deacons. Eph 4:11. (cf Acts 20:26-31; 1 Tim 1-12; Titus 1:5-9. 1 Peter 5:1-4))

Hebrews 13:7 and 17 emphasize that that covenant of membership is not to be taken lightly. When God holds the shepherds of the flock accountable for their sheep, it implies that they must know their sheep individually by name and a member of the flock can't just say."I am quitting you and joining another flock."

The only time we should separate ourselves from a group of believers is when either we are geographically separated from them or if, God forbid, the church should depart from the true faith.

Review Questions:

Look up the references on two of the names given in the Scriptures to describe the Church. What do you see is the significance of those names.
Make a list of ways that a child might participate in the body life of a congregation. Try to match these to Acts 2:42 and other passages.
Write a paragraph on the importance of Church membership as you would explain it to a child.

© 1990, Hypertext Version © 1996 Barry McWilliams
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