NT Theology of the Church: Biblical Membership

Christ Church of Central Arkansas

FUNCTIONAL DESCRIPTORS OF THE CHURCH & GROUP COHESION Church – ἐκκλησία Matthew 16:18, “And I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.” Remain – μένω John 15:4-11;1 John 2:19. John 15:4, “Remain in Me, and I in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit of itself but must remain in the vine, so neither can you unless you remain in Me.” Add or join – προστίθημι Acts 2:41, 46-47; 5:14; 11:24. Acts 2:41, “So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and that day there were added about three thousand souls.” Together – ἐπί Acts 2:44, “And all the believers were together and had all things in common.” Among us, from us – ἐξ ὑμῶν Acts 6:3, “Instead, brothers and sisters, select from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may put in charge of this task.” Cf., 1 John 2:19 (addition and subtraction). Increase – πληθύνω Acts 6:7, “The word of God kept spreading; and the number of the disciples continued to increase greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were becoming obedient to the faith.” Sided with, to join with – εἰμί Acts 14:4, “But the people of the city were divided; and some sided with the Jews, while others, with the apostles.” Join – προσκληρόω Acts 17:4, “And some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, along with a large number of the God-fearing Greeks and a significant number of the leading women.” Flock – ποίμνιον Acts 20:28a, “Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.” Cf., 1 Peter 5:2. Church of God – ἐκκλησίαν τοῦ θεοῦ Acts 20:28b; 1 Corinthians 1:1; 10:32; 11:22; 15:9; 2 Corinthians 1:2; 1 Tim 3:5. Letters of commendation – συστατικῶν ἐπιστολῶν 2 Corinthians 3:1, “Are we beginning to commend ourselves again? Or do we need, as some, letters of commendation to you or from you?” Cf., Romans 16. Remove – αἴρω 1 Corinthians 5:1-2, “1 It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and sexual immorality of such a kind as does not exist even among the Gentiles, namely, that someone has his father’s wife. 2 You have become arrogant and have not mourned instead, so that the one who had done this deed would be removed from your midst.” Factions – αἵρεσις 1 Corinthians 11:19, “For there also have to be factions among you, so that those who are approved may become evident among you.” Christ’s body – σῶμα Χριστοῦ 1 Corinthians 12:27, “Now you are Christ’s body, and individually parts of it.” Cf., Romans 12:4-5; Ephesians 4:4. Accountability, judgment – ἀνακρίνω 1 Corinthians 14:24, “But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or an outsider enters, he is convicted by all, he is called to account by all.” Assemble, assembling – συνέρχομαι 1 Corinthians 14:26, “What is the outcome then, brothers and sisters? When you assemble, each one has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation. All things are to be done for edification.” Household of the faith – οἰκείους τῆς πίστεως Galatians 6:10, “So then, while we have opportunity, let’s do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith.” Members, fellow members – σύσσωμος Ephesians 3:6, “to be specific, that the Gentiles are fellow heirs and fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.” Church of the living God - ἐκκλησία θεοῦ ζῶντος 1 Timothy 3:14-15, “14 I am writing these things to you, hoping to come to you before long; 15 but in case I am delayed, I write so that you will know how one should act in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and support of the truth.” Pillar and Supper of the truth - στῦλος καὶ ἑδραίωμα τῆς ἀληθείας (1 Timothy 3:15). Encourage one another – ἀλλήλους εἰς παροξυσμὸν Hebrews 10:24-25, “24 and let’s consider how to encourage one another in love and good deeds, 25 not abandoning our own meeting together, as is the habit of some people, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.” Meeting together – ἐπισυναγωγὴν ἑαυτῶν Hebrews 10:24-25, “24 and let’s consider how to encourage one another in love and good deeds, 25 not abandoning our own meeting together, as is the habit of some people, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.” Obey your leaders – πείθω Hebrews 13:17a, “Obey your leaders and submit to them—for they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account—so that they may do this with joy, not groaning; for this would be unhelpful for you.” Submission, to submit to your leaders – ὑπείκω (Hebrews 13:17b). WHAT IS THE THEOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE OF THIS DESCRIPTIVE LANGUAGE? 1. These terms point to the assumption and expectation of group cohesion (cf., the dyadic sense of self). 2. These terms describe the prioritization of Jesus and His teachings by those who make up the church (His followers). 3. These terms describe sacrificial commitment to maintain group cohesion and purity in His Body, the church.