Planting Roots, Bearing FruitsWhat is the Church?
Scripture: Acts 2:22-47, Matt 16:13-18 NLT
Rev. Shu-Ling Lee
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Today’s main Question: What is “the Church”?
We need to first start with” What is the ESSENCE of the church?
The church is not just another human organization that happens to have a different mandate for its life and ministry. The church is about human behavior that is being transformed through God’s redeeming power, and about patterns of life that reflect redemptive purposes. …Therefore it is critical that we consider the nature of the church before proceeding to define its ministry and organization.—Dr, Craig Van Gelder
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1. The Church is created and built by our Lord Jesus Christ (Matt 16:13-18)What the does the word church mean exactly?ἐκκλησίᾳ (ekklēsia)Kirche (keer-sheh)
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2. The Church is a community of believers who are filled and directed by the Spirit. (Acts 2:42-47)
The church as ecclesia was to live as a people whose existence and identity were shaped by God. God was the one who was calling this assembly together. God was the one who was creating this gathered community through the Spirit.—Dr. Craig Van Gelder
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3. The Church, by its very nature, is actively partners in God’s mission (wherever God has placed them). (Acts 2:42-47, Matt 16:13-18)
This new community is to live as a foretaste of this redemption, making available everyone the fruit of grace-filled living. Being a foretaste means that every aspect of the life and ministry of the church in the world represents missionary activity. And this new community is to serve as an instrument to convey this Good News to others.—Dr. Craig Van Gelder
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Conclusion: The Lord’s Supper (Acts 2:42)
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Small Group Discussion Questions:
1. How would you describe “what is the church?” in your own words?
2. Acts 2:42-47 give us a glimpse into what the gathering of Spirit-filled Christians looked like. List out the various activities that were described in the passage and compare and contrast with your church life today.
3. When reading through both passages, do you see mission as an important part of the life of Church (Ekklesia) that Jesus builds? Why or why not?
