First Principles

Lesson 10

Lesson Text—Matthew 16:18

Matthew 16:18And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

Lesson Text—Acts 15:1-2

Acts 15:11 And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved.

Lesson Text—Acts 15:1-2

Acts 15:22 When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question.

Lesson Text—Acts 15:3-4

Acts 15:33 And being brought on their way by the church, they passed through Phenice and Samaria, declaring the con-version of the Gentiles: and they caused great joy unto all the brethren.

Lesson Text—Acts 15:3-4

Acts 15:44 And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the church, and of the apostles and elders, and they declared all things that God had done with them.

Lesson Text—Ephesians 2:20-22

Ephesians 2:20-2120 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:

Lesson Text—Ephesians 2:20-22

Ephesians 2:2222 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.

Focus Verse—Hebrews 12:23

Hebrews 12:23To the general assembly and

church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of

just men made perfect.

Focus Thought

The Holy Ghost anointed church is the

most powerful community of faith in

the world.

I. What Is the ChurchCulture ConnectionBlood Is Thicker Than Water

I have heard this expression all my life and its meaning has always been clear to me, but I had no idea where the phrase originated. So I began to investigate. The earliest known usage of the phrase that I could find was an 1815 novel of Sir Walter Scott: Guy Mannering. Scott wrote, “Weel-blude’s thicker than water—she’s welcome to the cheeses and the hams just the same.”

I. What Is the ChurchSimply stated, the phrase recognizes the close bond of family members—closer than the bonds of anyone outside the family. As true as this recognition of the closeness among family members may be, there is a relationship that rivals, if not matches it. There is an incredible closeness between the members of the family of God, the body of Christ on earth—the church. At times, these relationships may even eclipse the intimacy of family bonds.

I. What Is the ChurchHow incredibly important is the

family of God! In the church we experience a bond that strengthens every member, unifies the corporate body, and establishes a synergy that is unmatched in any other human relationship other than possibly one’s own immediate family. Further, the synergy is one of faith—a community of faith. When we join our faith together and it is anchored firmly in Jesus Christ, its limitations are few and its power is virtually unstoppable. Oh, the blessing of being a member of the body of Christ!

I. What Is the ChurchContemplating The

TopicToday’s lesson is an exciting one. We will be considering what the church is and what makes it so special. In our lesson we also will attempt to answer important questions about the community of believers that comprises the church.

I. What Is the Church

What Is the Church

Searching The Scriptures

We can explain the church in many ways. While many think of church as a place, it is much more than that. It is the collective assembly of believers around the globe—whether in groups of two or three or thousands—who come to honor and worship Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. 

Transparency 1

A. Body of ChristA. Body of Christ

In I Corinthians 12, Paul aptly compared the church to the human body. He described it as a body made of many different parts, appendages, senses, and organs—all of which are equally important to the overall functioning of the whole.

I Corinthians 12:12-14 “For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that

one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. For by one Spirit are we

all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or

free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. For the body is not one

member, but many” (I Corinthians 12:12-14).

A. Body of ChristJust as each body part is important to the overall well-being and functioning of the other parts, so is each individual believer important to the church. Eyes are important to the human body, but so are feet. Pastors are important to the body of Christ, but so are janitors.

A. Body of ChristThe church comprises the body of Jesus Christ on earth. Believers are His eyes, ears, hands, and feet. We are His heart. We begin to take on His holy nature when we are baptized with His Holy Spirit.

A. Body of ChristFurther, the church is the great example of Christ’s love on earth. Because each member of the church has experienced the love of God firsthand, we are able to express His great love to others. He has given His love in full measure to each of us, so we are able to give that love to others.  

B. Bride of ChristB. Bride of ChristThe church is significant to Jesus Christ as much as a bride is to her bridegroom. The joys and excitement of all the weddings ever held will be surpassed one day when the Son of God is finally united with His bride—the church. On that great wedding day, each born-again person will take his place as a part of the bride of Christ, and Jesus will take His beloved bride to an eternal heavenly home.

I Thessalonians 4:15-17 “For this we say unto you by the word of

the Lord, that we which area live and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For

the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the

archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:

then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and

so shall we ever be with the Lord” (I Thessalonians 4:15-17).

Revelation 19:7-9 “Let us be glad and rejoice, and give

honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made

herself ready. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean

and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. And he saith unto

me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the

Lamb” (Revelation 19:7-9).

B. Bride of ChristI Thessalonians 4:15-17 and Revelation 19:7-9 describe the Rapture and the celestial wedding of Christ and the church. Inclusion in these spectacular events is certain for every true believer because each one is an individual member of the body and bride of Jesus Christ.

C. Body of BelieversC. Body of BelieversChristian believers are those individuals who comprise the living body of Christ on earth. These believers have embraced the gospel message of salvation through faith, repentance of sins, water baptism in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and receiving the Holy Ghost with the initial sign of speaking in other tongues.

C. Body of BelieversFurther, these believers continue to live a life of holiness, following the leading of the Spirit as the Lord’s image and character develop in them.

C. Body of BelieversAs believers develop in their relationship with Jesus Christ, they become effective members of Christ’s body. Together, their collective faith in God empowers them to do the spiritual works of the church, and they witness God working with and through them to perform miracles and healings. Jesus promised power to those who receive His Holy Spirit within. (See Acts 1:8.)

C. Body of BelieversFaith in Jesus Christ causes a person both to embrace and receive the gospel, and also to pursue the powerful working of the Holy Ghost through the church. Jesus stated,

C. Body of Believers“He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; they shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. . . .

C. Body of BelieversAnd they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen” (Mark 16:16-20).

C. Body of BelieversJesus always keeps His word. His promises of eternal life through faith in Him and the salvation He imparts is certain and secure. Further, His warnings to those who do not exercise faith or embrace His redemption are most serious. Believers can rejoice in their promises while they continually admonish and try to lead nonbelievers to a life-changing relationship in Christ Jesus.

D. Community of FaithD. Community of Faith

By exercising its faith, the church becomes a powerful community of faith. It is important to realize that the faith of two or three is just as powerful as that of a multitude.

Matthew 18:19-20

“Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any

thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in

heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am

I in the midst of them” (Matthew 18:19-20).

D. Community of FaithGod will work in behalf of the faith of two or three who are in agreement as much as He will in response to the faith of thousands. This promise from Jesus Christ enables the church to do great works regardless of the numbers of individuals involved. Jesus Christ—the One in whom we believe—is more vital to the working power within the church than is the number of those believing.

D. Community of FaithA small home missions church with only a half-dozen members will experience God’s presence and power in just as great a fashion as a great church of thousands. The church is God’s community of faith wherever it is found and however many members gather together.

E. People—Not BuildingsE. People—Not BuildingsAgain, the church is a community of people—believers and followers of Jesus Christ—not a collection of buildings, campuses, and property. Sometimes visitors will remark, “I enjoyed visiting your church. You have such a beautiful edifice, and I could really feel God’s presence there.” Hopefully, they are really saying, “Because of the faith of those present in the worship service, I was spiritually touched.”

E. People—Not BuildingsIt is important to have functional, safe, and attractive buildings for worship services. However, it is more important to have congregations of believers who worship the Lord with all their hearts. It is most important to have members of each local congregation who are strong in their faith toward God. As a community of believers, we can do more than impact the world; we can change it!

II. Mission of the ChurchMission of the Church

The church has a mission, a purpose, a reason for being that is unlike any other. It exists to proclaim the reality of the risen Christ. Our human lives take on supernatural aspects when Christ’s holy presence indwells us. Jesus Christ lives in every believer by His Holy Spirit indwelling them. Believers discover and experience abundant life in Christ through the Holy Ghost as they endeavor to live according to His will and purpose for their lives.

A. Evangelize the WorldA. Evangelize the World

Two of the Gospels recorded the words of Jesus’ Great Commission: the Book of Matthew and the Book of Mark.

Matthew 28:19-20 “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations,

baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy

Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded

you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen”

(Matthew 28:19-20).

Mark 16:15

“And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every

creature” (Mark 16:15).

A. Evangelize the WorldThese passages declare an essential truth: every Christian has a responsibility to communicate the gospel to the world as he interacts with people everywhere. No believer is excluded from the call to and responsibility of evangelism.

A. Evangelize the WorldEvery member of the community of believers is responsible to share with others, to the best of his ability, what he has personally experienced through Jesus Christ. Having received the good news that Jesus saves, God calls believers to pass it on.

A. Evangelize the World Fulfilling the Great Commission also involves specialty ministries such as home and foreign missions. Not everyone can travel from their place of abode to devote their lives to full-time gospel service. Some believers must remain where they are, working at their jobs and supporting those who go. By sharing their earnings with those who are willing to become missionaries, they too can have a part in that ministry.

A. Evangelize the World Our dollars will enable others to go where we cannot. Our money will allow others to preach to those living in other parts of the world that we cannot visit. Just as the human body is supportive of each of its members, each part of the body of Christ connects to the other parts through faithful support and mutual agreement in doing God’s will. As a body of believers—a community of faith—we help one another in propelling the gospel throughout the world.

B. Care for the NeedyB. Care for the Needy

Jesus’ ministry was unique in the love and compassion He showed to those in need. He fed the hungry, healed the blind and crippled, brought emotional and spiritual peace to those tormented by unclean spirits, and even cleansed leprous beggars.

B. Care for the NeedyHe broke the religious and social taboos by healing on the Sabbath and by going so far as to actually touch the unclean to make them whole again. Thankfully, His followers also have been known by the compassion they show to those in need. In Matthew 25:35-46, Jesus said that by caring for the needy His followers actually are caring for Him.

Matthew 25:35-37“For I was an hungred, and ye gave me

meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: naked,

and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.

Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an

hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink”

(Matthew 25:35-37).

Matthew 25:38-40 “When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and

came unto thee? And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you,

Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it

unto me” (Matthew 25:38-40).

B. Care for the NeedyThe compassion and charity of Christians began immediately after the Day of Pentecost. The Book of Acts describes how the early church members shared their goods so that all fared well according to their individual needs.

Acts 2:44-45

And all that believed were together, and had all things common; and sold their

possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as everyman had need”

(Acts 2:44-45).

Acts 4:32-33

“And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common. And with great power gave the apostles witness of the

resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all” (Acts 4:32-33).

Acts 4:34-35

“Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of

lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, and laid

them down at the apostles’ feet: and distribution was made unto every man

according as he had need” (Acts 4:34-35).

B. Care for the NeedyAlthough this practice was never intended to be permanent, it does illustrate the length to which the Jerusalem church went to live out their responsibility for the needs of their brothers and sisters in Christ and for other hurting individuals in the community. The church members rightly provided for the needs of Christian widows and orphans, and we still should endeavor to care for those in need.

B. Care for the NeedyOver the centuries Christians have established hospitals and orphanages for the care of the sick and needy. And so it is today. Many hospitals and orphanages still are maintained and operated by Christian organizations. All over the world the Christian community provides help and care whenever and wherever it is needed.

C. Make DisciplesC. Make DisciplesThe body of Christ regenerates itself by creating new members to replace those who pass on. From the beginning, the primary purpose of the church has been to disciple new believers in the ways of Jesus Christ. Discipleship is not an instant event; it takes time and great personal sacrifice to train new converts to understand how to pursue the lifestyle of Christ. (See Luke 14:26-33.)

C. Make DisciplesIt takes time to teach new people how to properly share the gospel with others. Being a disciple of Christ is a process, not a singular event. The community of faith—the church—understands this and is patient and skillful in teaching and training new believers, who then will teach and train others.

D. Exalt JesusD. Exalt Jesus

The psalmist David declared, “O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together” (Psalm 34:3). Each of us as members of Christ’s body should exalt and worship Jesus in every aspect of our lives. Through our words and deeds we reveal to the world the greatness of the Lord who lives within us as we proclaim His glory and honor.

D. Exalt Jesus Exalting and magnifying the Lord partially fulfills our mission of servanthood to our heavenly King. We serve Christ through serving others, through living in ways that honor Him and His Word, and through expressing verbally our love and adoration for Him. Jesus taught that we honor God by honoring Him: “That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him” (John 5:23).

John 12:32

“And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me”

(John 12:32).

E. Preach the WordE. Preach the Word

“Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove,

rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine”

(II Timothy 4:2).

E. Preach the WordJesus came to preach the good news and provide hope to the lost. He declared in Luke 4:18-19, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, to preach the acceptable year of the Lord.”

E. Preach the WordJesus also sent His disciples into the countryside to preach the good news even before His crucifixion and resurrection. He chose and ordained men who would go forth, preaching the gospel and giving hope to the lost.

Mark 3:14

“And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them

forth to preach” (Mark 3:14).

E. Preach the WordAfter Pentecost the disciples continued to preach boldly in the name of Jesus Christ. It often got them into trouble with the religious authorities, but they continued despite persecution. (See Acts 4; 5; 12.)

Acts 4:31

“And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled

together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of

God with boldness” (Acts 4:31).

Acts 5:42

“And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and

preach Jesus Christ” (Acts 5:42).

E. Preach the WordThe love of the early believers for the gospel continued undaunted because they truly were endued with the power of the Holy Ghost. (See Acts 1:8.) The declaration of the gospel was, and still is, accomplished by sharing personal testimonies, by distribution of literature that declares the truths of God’s Word, and by the preaching of the Word.

E. Preach the WordThe church’s mission includes training and equipping preachers who will preach the Word with boldness. May God give us men and women who will join the ranks of the apostles and boldly declare the gospel in our day as they did in theirs.

III. Church TriumphantChurch TriumphantScriptures promise a triumphant outcome in the end times for the community of believers founded by Jesus Christ. Whatever frustrations, hardships, or difficulties Christians face in this life, they can be certain of ultimate victory as long as they hold steadfastly to Jesus Christ and His unchanging Word. Finally one day, we shall join our Lord Jesus in the air!

Transparency 3

A. Is Built on the RockA. Is Built on the Rock

“And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not

prevail against it. And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and

whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou

shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven”

(Matthew 16:18-19).

Luke 6:47-48 “Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like: he is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat

vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a

rock” (Luke 6:47-48).

Luke 6:49

“But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon the earth; against which

the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that

house was great” (Luke 6:49).

A. Is Built on the RockJesus taught that His word was like a strong rock upon which to build one’s life. Further, Jesus said He would build His church on the rock. Steadfast, safe, and secure, we can rest with assurance on the promises of God. If we live according to the will and Word of God, we have the assurance of eternal life.

A. Is Built on the RockThe church is secure because Jesus Christ Himself is our Rock of Ages. “And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ” (I Corinthians 10:4).

B. Overcomes the Gates of HellB. Overcomes the Gates of Hell

The church does battle on a daily basis with the bastions of infernal darkness. We fight spiritual battles; and because Jesus has already promised the victory, we are free to claim victory through faith in Him. After all, He has already overcome death, Hell, and the grave; because of His victory, we are certain of victory for ourselves.

B. Overcomes the Gates of HellThere is tremendous comfort in knowing that our victory through Christ is certain. Ultimately, the church will triumph over the systems of this world. We have the assurance that we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us (Philippians 4:13). Truly, “we are more than conquerors through him” (Romans 8:37).

C. Will Be RapturedC. Will Be RapturedThe future is bright for those in the body of Jesus Christ, the church. Someday, in an instant we will be caught up to be with Jesus in the air. The Scripture declares, “For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.

C. Will Be RapturedFor the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord” (I Thessalonians 4:15-17).

D. Will Rule and Reign with Christ

D. Will Rule and Reign with Christ

The Rapture will usher believers into the presence of the Lord where they will remain forever. He has promised His people a role of ruling and reigning with Him in Heaven. The apostle Paul wrote to Timothy these wonderful words of hope that were inspired by the Holy Ghost: “It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him: if we suffer, we shall also reign with him” (II Timothy 2:11-12).

D. Will Rule and Reign with ChristIn the Book of Revelation, John

described a scene in Heaven that shows the believers being a part of God’s government during the thousand-year period of the Millennium. “Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years” (Revelation 20:6).

D. Will Rule and Reign with Christ

Internalizing The Message

Jesus has designated the church as being His body and His bride. He has given it a mission to do His work on earth. Further, He has given the church a promise of a wonderful and exciting future. Being a part of the church—a member of the community of faith—has eternal benefits that truly are out of this world!