The Pattern for New Testament Churches
When people hear the word church they often think of big gothic building. The Greek for church, ecclesia, always referred to an assembly of people not a building. The Bible gives us three clear pictures to illustrate what the church is like. The church is like a building, like a body, and like bride.
The Church is like a building “…you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” – 1 Peter 2:5
Humans build churches using bricks and cement, whereas God build His church with people. The Church is like a body with many parts “But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be…If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.”– 1 Corinthians 12:18, 26 – 27
Like our bodies there are no spare parts. Every member is important and has a God-ordained part to play. Like a bride preparing for her wedding day “Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready.”– Revelation 19:7
Paul compared the church to a radiant bride, without wrinkle or any other blemish. John described the church as prepared as a bride for her husband. Church is: A People, not a place “…you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” – 1 Peter 2:5
A Body, not a building “From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.” – Ephesians 4:16
An Army, not an Audience “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.” – Ephesians 6: 10 – 11
Relationships, not Rituals “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.” – Matthew 5: 23 – 24
Dynamic Celebrations, not Dead Ceremonies “My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power.” – 1 Corinthians 2: 4 – 5
Spiritual Family, not a Religious Organisation “My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power.” – Ephesians 2: 19 – 20