Musick-al note # 156
There is a lot of confusion and false teachings regarding Christians and the church. Some speak of the “church” as being the building in which people meet, but this is NOT the church. Some teach that the “church” is a denomination with all its superstructure, organization and worship, but this is NOT the church of the New Testament. The church that Jesus built is called ‘the body of Christ’ and each Christian is a member of it, functioning for the good of the whole (1 Corinthians 12:12-27) while following Jesus, its head.
The “church of Christ” spoken about in the New Testament is the body of believers who are “called out” of the world by the Gospel of Christ and who render obedience to Him. These people are the “church of Christ”. The term church (gathering) comes from the original word “ekklesia” meaning “ek” = “out”; “klesia” = “called” or the “called out” gathering or assembly. We can see this from the Scriptures that speak of our being “called” 2 Thessalonians 2:14 “to which He called you by our gospel, for the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Peter 2:9 “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.” Men and women who obey Christ are added to His body which is the church. (Acts 2:41, 47) “Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. Verse 47, “And the Lord added to the church (the called out) daily those who were being saved.”
And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.” (Colossians 1:18). Jesus is supreme, foremost among the redeemed from their lives of sin. We obey Him who paid the ransom to redeem our souls from death. We trust and follow His teaching for He is our foundation of eternal life (Acts 4:12). We live in fellowship with one another as members of His body for as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body (1 Corinthians 12:12-13). For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body; whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free; and have all been made to drink into one Spirit” therefore we live for Him.
Gordon Musick
Musick-al Notes 