The Creed - I Believe In The Church

I BELIEVE in God the Father Almighty, Maker

of heaven and earth: And in Jesus Christ his only

Son, our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose

again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the

right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy

catholic church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins;

the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen

The CreedI BELIEVE in the CHURCH








Key Question…―What is the Church?‖

The Creed – I Believe in the Church

Is it the Roman Catholic Church…?


Is it a building…?The Creed – I Believe in the Church

―Ekklēsia‖Lit. ―Called Out Ones‖

―a regularly summoned legislative body, assembly‖―people with shared belief, community, congregation‖


Christ‘s Bride (Ephesians 5:22-29)Branches on a vine (John 15:1-10)A Flock (John 10)A Household (Galatians 6:10)A Building/temple with Christ the foundation (Eph. 2:20-22)A Body (1 Cor. 12:12-27)

The Promise of the Church"Gathering them together, He commanded them not to leave

Jerusalem, but to wait for what the Father had promised, ―Which,‖ He said, ―you heard of from Me; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.‖

So when they had come together, they were asking Him, saying, ―Lord, is it at this time You are restoring the kingdom to Israel?‖ He said to them, ―It is not for you to know times or epochs which

the Father has fixed by His own authority; but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria,

and even to the remotest part of the earth.‖"(Acts 1:4-8)


The Birth of the Church" When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one

place. And suddenly there came from heaven a noise like a violent rushing wind, and it filled the whole house

where they were sitting. And there appeared to them tongues as of fire

distributing themselves, and they rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as

the Spirit was giving them utterance."(Acts 2:1-4)


The Birth of the Church

1. The feast of Passover2. The feast of First Fruits3. The feast of Pentecost


Three feasts that help define the birth of the Church

The Birth of the Church Came ten days after Christ‘s

ascension ―Pentecost‖ means ‗fiftieth day‘ The Jews had a feast called the feast

of Pentecost because it took place fifty days after the feast of first fruits, which followed the Passover. It was also called the feast of harvest and feast of weeks

Pentecost also commemorated the giving of the Mosaic law because the Jewish people believe the law was given to them about fifty days after the beginning of their journey to the Promised Land




The first feast mentioned is the Passover (Lev. 23:4-5). To escape the plague of the firstborn in Egypt, the Israelites had to kill a lamb and put its blood on

the doorposts and lintel. The angel of death then passed over that house. Christ's blood fulfills the typical prophecy of the passover lamb, for His death

is what protects us from God's wrath. And according to God's plan, Christ died during the time of Passover.



This first fruits feast was on the day after the Sabbath following the Passover--the Sunday after Passover (Lev. 23:9-14). The first fruits were taken from barley crops. A

farmer who wanted to determine if he would have a good crop that year would go to different sections of the barley field and pull out some samples. If they all looked good,

he could say that the whole crop was guaranteed to be good based on the first fruits. By doing this they would be reminded to praise God for the upcoming harvest. It was a good

reminder to trust in God. Christ was resurrected on the day of first fruits.



Fifty days after the feast of first fruits came the feast of harvest (Lev. 23:15-16), also known as Pentecost. The wheat was not ready to be harvested at the time of this feast; nevertheless, two loaves were made from what was there. The idea of the feast was to

celebrate the completion of harvest in advance. The feast of harvest predicts what happened on the day of Pentecost in Acts 2. Christ died during the Passover, rose on

the feast of first fruits, and signaled His coming harvest on Pentecost.

The ―Suddenness‖ of the Church


Born Instantly Leaves Instantly

The Body of Christ


Christ the Head

Began at Pentecost Ends at RaptureChurch Age

Two Dimensions of ―Church‖


Church

Universal Local

Two Dimensions of ―Church‖


Universal Church Local church

Invisible Visible

One Church Many churches

An organism An organization

Saved members Saved and lost members

Living and dead members Living members

Whole body of Christ Part of the body of Christ

Christ is visible Head in heaven Christ is invisible Head on earth

No elders in deacons Elders and deacons

No ordinances Two ordinances

No denomination Many denominations

Indestructible Destructible

The Universal Church


"Simon Peter answered, ―You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.‖ And Jesus said to him, ―Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood

did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. ―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."(Matthew 16:16-18)

"But Saul began ravaging the church, entering house after house, and dragging off men and women, he would put them in prison."(Acts 8:3)

"And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in

all."(Ephesians 1:22-23)

"He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in

everything."(Colossians 1:18)



An organic unity as one body (vv. 12-13)A diversity of many members (14-20)A universality because all believers are in it (13)A mutuality because the members mutually edify one another

(21-27)A visibility through its visible membersA spiritual animation through the Holy Spirit

The Body of Christ (1 Cor. 12)



The Bride of Christ (Rev. 21:9)The wife of Christ (Eph. 5:24-25)The Firstborn of Christ (Heb. 12:23)The Building of Christ (Eph. 2:20)A Spiritual House (1 Pet. 2:5)A Holy Priesthood (1 Pet. 2:5)A Royal Priesthood (1 Pet. 2:9)A Chosen People (1 Pet. 2:9)The People of God (1 Pet. 2:10)A Flock of Christ (John 21:15-17)



Chosen From Eternity"just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would

be holy and blameless before Him. In love"(Ephesians 1:4)

Invisible"But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to myriads of angels, to the general assembly and

church of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the Judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect,"(Hebrews 12:22-23)

Increasable―And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being

saved."(Acts 2:47)



Indivisible"being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.‖

(Ephesians 4:3)

Invincible"―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."(Matthew 16:18)

Apostolic"So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God‘s household, having been built on the foundation of

the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone,"(Ephesians 2:19-20)



Ethnically Neutral"There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus."(Galatians 3:28)

Regenerate" Jesus presented another parable to them, saying, ―The kingdom of heaven

may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field."(Matthew 13:24)

Spiritually Equal"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,"(Ephesians 3:6)

The Local Church


Christ is the Head of all Local Churches

He holds the messengers in His right hand (Rev. 1:20)He rebukes the churches for their sin (2:9)He commands them to repent (v. 5)He will judge and reward them for their deeds (vv. 5, 10, 26,

3:12)He takes away their lampstand (church) if they are not faithful

(v. 5)He searches all of their minds and hearts (v. 23)He convicts them by His Spirit (3:22)


Episcopal – episocpos: ―bishop‖ and overseer. Has authority over elders and congregation. Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Methodist, Anglican, and some Lutheran.

Presbyterian – presbuteros: ―order‖, ―wiser‖. A board of elders hold final authority in church affairs. Presbyterian, some Baptist, and Reformed churches

Congregational – congregation has final authority. Baptist, many independent

Government of the Local Church



A position of authority (Acts 22:5)A position of dignity (Prov. 31:23)A position of maturity (1 Tim. 5:1)A position of wisdom An overseer (1 Pet. 2:25)A ruler (2 Tim. 3:16-17)An under-shepherd (1 Pet. 5:1-4)A teacher (1 Tim 3:2)An apologist (Titus 1:9)An arbiter of disputes (1 Cor. 6:1-4)A watchman (Heb. 13:17)Elders are to be men ( 1 Tim 3:2)Should be obeyed, submitted to, honored, entreated (not rebuked)

Elders



Originated with the complaint of widows being overlooked for food (Acts 6).Deacons were to assist the elders in church serviceRelieve the elders of menial tasks so they (elders) could concentrate on

prayer and ministry of Word of GodIn charge of social and physical ministriesTook care of widows and orphans1 Timothy 3:1-18 lays down the qualifications:Men worthy of respectNot addicted to wineKeep hold of the deep truths with clear conscienceFirst must be testedMust manage his household and children wellHusband of one wife

Deacons



The congregation screen their own membership (Jude: unbelievers crept in)Chose the leadership (Acts 6)Exercised church discipline (1 Cor. 5).Made final decisions in case of offense (Matt 18).Commissioned missionaries (Acts 13).Involved itself with doctrinal decisions (Acts 15).Ultimately ruled with elder guidance

Congregation

Ordinances of the Local Church


Catholic – seven sacraments: Baptism, Eucharist, Penance, Extreme Unction, Holy Order, Matrimony No ordinances – only

produce endless supply of conflict that take away from real work. Berean – one ordinance: the

Lord‘s SupperProtestant – two ordinances:

baptism and the Lord‘s Supper.



Baptism"―Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name

of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,"(Matthew 28:19)

The Lord‘s Supper" While they were eating, Jesus took some bread, and after a blessing, He broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, ―Take, eat; this is My body.‖ And when He had taken a cup and given thanks, He gave it to them, saying, ―Drink from it, all of you;"(Matthew

26:26-27)

" For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus in the night in which He was betrayed took bread; and when He had given thanks, He

broke it and said, ―This is My body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of Me.‖ In the same way He took the cup also after supper, saying, ―This cup is the new covenant in My blood; do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.‖ For as often as

you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord‘s death until He comes."(1 Corinthians 11:23-26)



Q: What is the basic difference in the view of the ordinances?A: Catholics consider them to be a cause of grace in one‘s life; Anglicans and Lutherans believe they are a means of grace; the rest view them as a symbol of grace.

Q: What are common truths regarding baptism?A: Belief is a condition for being baptized; it is a external sign of an inward reality; it is performed by full immersion; it is the first act of obedience after salvation; it is not necessary for salvation.

Q: What are common truths regarding the Lord‘s Supper?A: It is symbolic in nature; the elements do not become the actual body and blood of Christ; it is an act of remembrance, communion, covenantal acknowledgement; fellowship, thanksgiving, proclamation, and anticipation.

Relationship of Church and State


Secularism – the state dominates the church and ends up imposing irreligionTheocracy – the state is

dominated by the church and ends up imposing its religion on allJeffersonianism – acknowledges

there is a divine, natural law, but denies that any revelation from God has been given as the prescribed basis for government

― ―My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, then My

servants would be fighting so that I would not be handed over to the Jews; but as it

is, My kingdom is not of this realm.‖ "(John 18:36)

Although His disciples wanted Him to overthrow the Romans and the Jews were

looking for a political Messiah, Christ‘s first coming was not political in nature.

First Coming Was Not Political




Secularism Jeffersonianism Theocracy

Nature of state Secular Just Religious

Church/State Separation Cooperation Union

Nature of religious freedom

Freedom from all religions

Freedom for all religions

Freedom for a particular religion

Extent of religious freedom

For none For all For a preferred religion

Belief in God Discouraged Encouraged Demanded

Basis of civil law Human experience

Natural law (gen. Revelation)

Divine law (special revelation)

Example Marxist China Early America Iran



Jefferson believed unalienable rights are rooted in the ―Laws of Nature‖ that derive from ―Nature‘s God‖. Natural law is not a humanly

descriptive ―is‖ but a divinely prescriptive ―ought‖Natural law is the first principle

governing human action just the laws of logic are the first principles governing human thought



―Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or

of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.‖ – First Amendment

The phrase separation of church and state is generally traced to the letter written by Thomas Jefferson in 1802 to the Danbury Baptists, in which he

referred to the First Amendment to the United States Constitution as creating a "wall of separation" between church and state.

Any ―wall of separation‖ was spoken of to protect the church from the government not the government from the church.

The Church and Replacement Theology


The Church is not Israel

"Give no offense either to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God;"(1 Corinthians 10:32)


Israel ChurchHeadship Moses Christ

Origin Abraham Pentecost

Nature Earthly (political body) Heavenly (spiritual body)

Governing principle Law of Moses Grace of Christ

Holy Land Divine inheritance None

Davidic Covenant Promised to Israel No promise to Church

Constituents Jews only Jews/Gentiles

Membership Physical birth Spiritual birth

Function Channel of blessing to world Glorify God; Bride of Christ; Provoke Israel



The unconditional covenant and land promises made to Israel has never been fulfilledA literal, physical Kingdom was offered to Israel but was

rejected, and still must comeJesus foretold a literal reign over Israel at His second comingThe promised Messianic Kingdom was not yet fulfilled at

Christ‘s ascensionJesus specifically stated in Acts 1 that the Kingdom would

be restored to Israel at some point in the futureBiblical prophecy stated that Israel would physically be re-

gathered prior to Christ‘ return (happened in May, 1948)



―If the Abrahamic Covenant is unconditional in nature (not dependent upon Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and their physical

descendants, the people of Israel, meeting conditions for the fulfillment of its promises), then every promise of that covenant

must be fulfilled—including the promises that Israel would be given forever the land described in Genesis15:18, and that the

Abrahamic Covenant would be an everlasting covenant for Israel. This would mean that Israel would last forever as a

people and that God has a future for that nation and its land. It would also mean that the biblical prophecies concerning the

future of Israel and its land are to be interpreted literally and that the Dispensational-Premillennial view of those prophecies

is correct.‖ – Renald Showers


Our (the Church‘s) Mission Now


Glorify God (1 Cor. 10:31)Visible manifestation of Christ‘s body (Eph 4:3-6)Edify Christ‘s body (Eph. 4:11-13)Evangelize the lost (1 Cor. 11:26)Exhibit God‘s wisdom and grace (Eph. 3:9-11)








The CreedI BELIEVE in the CHURCH