Jesus established his church before he ascended to heaven. The Greek word translated church is ekklesia. Literally it means “called out ones.” In ancient Greece, ekklesias were political gatherings at which decisions were made and laws passed. The Romans later used the word to describe gatherings of citizens called together by political leaders called consuls.
The New Testament used the word ekklesia to describe gatherings of believers.
The word was never used for buildings until around 200 AD. The Jewish word that had an equivalence would have been synagogue.
There are local and universal aspects to the church.
When we are born again, we become part of the universal church. We are seated with Christ in heaven and included in the vast army of believers, both past and present.
For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit. 1 Corinthians 12:13 (NASB95) No, you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to countless thousands of angels in a joyful gathering. 23 You have come to the assembly of God’s firstborn children, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God himself, who is the judge over all things. You have come to the spirits of the righteous ones in heaven who have now been made perfect. 24 You have come to Jesus, the one who mediates the new covenant between God and people, and to the sprinkled blood, which speaks of forgiveness instead of crying out for vengeance like the blood of Abel. Hebrews 12:22–24 (NLT)
On earth, Paul taught that the church is the “body of Christ.”
When Jesus ascended to heaven, he sent the Holy Spirit to indwell and empower every believer individually and the church corporately. Jesus’ resurrected body is now seated in heaven on God’s throne. The church gives our Lord a body through which to operate on the earth in the physical realm, just as Jesus did during his public ministry.
Paul wrote about believers “clothing” themselves with Christ.
For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. Galatians 3:27 (NASB95)
When we do this, the Holy Spirit can operate through us without hindrance. Properly fitting clothes allow freedom of movement.
There are three Old Covenant examples of the Spirit of God clothing himself with individuals. Each of them was highly significant. In each case, I think it is reasonable to assume that the Spirit fully expressed himself through that person.
The Spirit clothed himself with Gideon, which enabled him to lead his small army to victory over seemingly insurmountable odds.
Then the Spirit of the Lord clothed Gideon with power. He blew a ram’s horn as a call to arms, and the men of the clan of Abiezer came to him. Judges 6:34 (NLT)
He also “clothed himself” with Amasai, a leader who defected to David during Saul’s reign. The Spirit of God enabled him to prophesy over David.
Then the Spirit came upon Amasai, the leader of the Thirty, and he said, “We are yours, David! We are on your side, son of Jesse. Peace and prosperity be with you, and success to all who help you, for your God is the one who helps you.” So David let them join him, and he made them officers over his troops. 1 Chronicles 12:18 (NLT)
Lastly, he clothed himself with Zechariah the prophet making him a bold witness prior to his martyrdom.
Then the Spirit of God came upon Zechariah son of Jehoiada the priest. He stood before the people and said, “This is what God says: Why do you disobey the Lord’s commands and keep yourselves from prospering? You have abandoned the Lord, and now he has abandoned you!” 2 Chronicles 24:20 (NLT)
Today the Holy Spirit clothes himself with the church to carry out Christ’s desires on the earth.
God has put all things under the authority of Christ and has made him head over all things for the benefit of the church. 23 And the church is his body; it is made full and complete by Christ, who fills all things everywhere with himself. Ephesians 1:22–23 (NLT)
As Christ’s body, we are to speak and act for him. Although the Spirit of God can interact personally with people who are not yet part of the church, as he did with Saul leading to his conversion on the road to Damascus, usually he employs the church to be his witnesses by sharing the gospel, doing ministry including signs and wonders, and loving people sacrificially.
On a local level, the body of Christ has many parts, just as does a human body, and each part has a different yet vital role to play.
But now God has placed the members, each one of them, in the body, just as He desired. 19 If they were all one member, where would the body be? 20 But now there are many members, but one body. 1 Corinthians 12:18–20 (NASB95)
The church reflects the person and ministry of Christ. As individuals, we have a role to play in making up the entire ministry of Christ on the earth.
There are governmental roles in the church, speaking ministries, and other areas of serving.
God assigns us our particular function, and part of the challenge is to figure out how we fit.
Governmental roles are primarily found in the eldership who have the responsibility to shepherd or oversee the local assembly.
The elders who rule well are to be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching. 1 Timothy 5:17 (NASB95)
The Greek word translated “rule” is prohistemi, which means to preside over, govern, protect, and care for. Elders are to watch over the members of the Ekklesia to protect them from “wolves” and false doctrine. They are responsible for leading the church under the direction of the Holy Spirit. Part of their role is to minister the Word of God to the people. This does not necessarily mean that they are gifted speakers, but they should be proficient in the scriptures and competent to exhort and counsel people.
An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, prudent, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 1 Timothy 3:2 (NASB95)
One elder will usually emerge as what some call the “lead” elder. He will have a gift of leadership, which enables him to be the “first among equals.”
God always provides leadership, without which any group will drift and lack cohesion.
In our area, a lead elder is usually called the “pastor,” but this person might be one of the other translocal ministries.
Translocal roles include what some call the “five-fold” or “ascension gift” ministries: apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor, and teacher.
Whereas elders are only elders to their own local church, translocal ministries can be effective across the larger body of Christ. When they are asked to minister outside of their own assembly, it is should always be with the permission and oversight of the local eldership. Translocal ministries usually have a God-given governmental or leadership component, which might enable them to function as a lead elder in a local assembly.
Paul lists a variety of gifts found in local churches.
And God has appointed in the church, first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, various kinds of tongues. 1 Corinthians 12:28 (NASB95)
This is not an exhaustive list, but it includes some major gifts God gives to the local assembly and the church at large. Another listing provides us with what some people call motivational gifts. These are part of people’s general make up.
In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. 7 If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. 8 If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly. Romans 12:6–8 (NLT)
In addition, we have what are called the “gifts of the Spirit,” which are listed in Paul’s first letter to the church in Corinth.
There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons. 7 But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. 8 For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, and to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit; 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, 10 and to another the effecting of miracles, and to another prophecy, and to another the distinguishing of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues. 11 But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills. 12 For even as the body is one and yet has many members, and all the members of the body, though they are many, are one body, so also is Christ. 13 For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit. 14 For the body is not one member, but many. 1 Corinthians 12:6–14 (NASB95)
People in the ekklesia will also have various “passions” which motivate them to service. These are the concerns or areas of ministry that capture our hearts.
Discovering what roles God has given to each of us requires us to examine what is our passion, our calling, our motivational gifts, spiritual gifts, and any governmental equipping God may have given to us.
Often, we need help from others to recognize what God has given to us or called us to do. This is where we can benefit from those in oversight and those who operate in spiritual gifts.
Do not neglect the spiritual gift you received through the prophecy spoken over you when the elders of the church laid their hands on you. 1 Timothy 4:14 (NLT)
The church’s primary task is to make disciples. (Matthew 28:18)
This responsibility is carried out one-on-one, one-on-a few, and congregationally. It involves far more than simply instructing or teaching. We are to follow Jesus’ example. He taught, demonstrated, empowered others to do the same, and then gave feedback. Eventually he launched them into their own ministries, in which they depended on the Holy Spirit.
Discipleship is more caught than taught.
But you, Timothy, certainly know what I teach, and how I live, and what my purpose in life is. You know my faith, my patience, my love, and my endurance. 11 You know how much persecution and suffering I have endured. You know all about how I was persecuted in Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra—but the Lord rescued me from all of it. 2 Timothy 3:10–11 (NLT)
For this to happen, we must spend time with those whom we disciple. It cannot be done only at congregational meetings or Bible studies. The goal of discipleship is to reproduce ourselves in others and launch them into their own ministries. Small groups tend to work well to help this along.
The church is God’s plan to reach and disciple the world.
Every person in the church should be involved at some level, either as a disciple or a disciple-maker, or both. This means people need to be regular participants in church gatherings. People who try to fly solo may find themselves unprotected against the enemy and robbed of what they could have gained from others. Likewise, the church will suffer by their not being there to do their part.
And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near. Hebrews 10:25 (NLT)
