These past few weeks in my local church we have been treating the subject of the Church and the Local Church. It reminded me of an article (originally delivered as a teaching) I wrote back in 2020. I decided to dig it out, revamp it and share. I hope it blesses you.
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The Beloved Apostle Paul speaks of the church as “the pillar and ground of the truth” in 1 Timothy 3:15. How profound and glorious the designation is! This is to say that the Church of Christ is not merely an assembly or gathering of believers; it is indeed the very foundation and bulwark of God’s truth on earth! Within this most sacred institution, entrusted with the eternal oracles of God, we find not just a community but a divine calling, to uphold and disemminate the truth of our Almighty God. Yet, we ever so often find that we drift from this purpose and allow lesser matters to cloud our vision.
At this point we must quickly re-assert that the Bible is sufficient and pre-eminent in guiding the Church. The Bible is our carefully curated map, perfectly calibrated compass, and firmly grounded anchor by which we must navigate through the affairs of importance. Without it, we are but ships adrift in the sea of confusion. It is easy to imagine number of things we do today in Church to which our Lord would have said “in the beginning it was not so”- like he did in Mark 10:6 when He was questioned about marriage. As Christ directed us to the original design, we must follow His example and ask ourselves – what is God’s original plan and design for His Church?
The term ekklesia—how rich and evocative it is!—means “the called-out ones.” The Church is not just an institution; it is the gathering of those whom God has called out of darkness into His marvelous light. There is but one Body of Christ, though it manifests in numerous local assemblies. My wife likes to say the Church is the universal set; the local church is a subset. Christ is the Head, and we, the members, are joined together in Him. Paul, in his discourse to the Ephesian elders, exhorts them to “shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood” (Acts 20:28). What a solemn charge! Christ’s blood-bought Church must never be treated as anything less than sacred.
As the Church expanded from its humble beginnings in Jerusalem, spreading to Corinth, Galatia, Rome, and beyond, it retained this unity under the lordship of Christ. Today, however, we witness a fragmentation of the Church into countless denominations and movements. How are we to discern the true Church amid such diversity? The answer lies in a return to the Scriptures, God’s infallible guide for us.
Christo-centric focus
When our Lord declared to Peter, “On this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18), He was not making Simon the frail man the foundation, but rather affirming the bedrock of His own divine identity—the truth that He is the Christ, the Son of the living God. The Church, therefore, is built not on human wisdom, but on the immovable foundation of Christ Himself. In any true church, Christ must be the centre. He is the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. Paul writes with unshakable certainty: “For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 3:11). Christ is not merely part of the Church—He is its very essence. When we gather, it is to exalt Him, to behold His glory, and to worship Him in spirit and truth. Without this "Christo-centric" focus, the Church becomes a hollow shell, devoid of life and power.
Jesus Himself promised, “For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them” (Matthew 18:20). His presence is not a mere formality; it is the very lifeblood of the Church. Yet, in many assemblies today, Christ is obscured—sometimes by the very leaders who are meant to reveal Him. I recall a poignant story from a small church, where a large poster symbolising Christ hung at the front of the sanctuary. However, the pastor, in his earnestness, would always stand directly in front of it while preaching. A young girl, innocent yet insightful, asked him, “Why do you always stand in front of Jesus?” Her words, though simple, carried a profound truth. How often in our churches do we allow human personalities to overshadow Christ? Though we reject the idea of using images as representations of our Lord, the metaphor stands: anything that blocks the view of Christ must be removed.
Biblical emphasis
A true church must hold the Word of God in the highest esteem, for “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16). The Bible must not merely be referenced; it must be revered as the ultimate authority in all matters of faith and practice. When the Church departs from this anchor, it drifts into dangerous waters, where human opinions and worldly philosophies threaten to usurp divine truth.
Apostle Paul’s charge to Timothy is our charge today: “Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all long-suffering and teaching” (2 Timothy 4:2). The pulpit must resound with the voice of Scripture, not the echo of popular culture. The Church is the custodian of God’s truth, and this truth must be proclaimed with boldness and clarity.
A spiritual family
The Church is not merely a place of worship; it is a family, united by the blood of Christ. In the early days of the Church, we see a beautiful picture of this unity: “Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul” (Acts 4:32). They shared not only their material goods but also their very lives, embodying the command to “love one another as I have loved you” (John 15:12).
James, in his epistle, exhorts us to “Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed” (James 5:16). This mutual care and accountability are the hallmarks of a true church. It is here, in the fellowship of believers, that we find encouragement, correction, and the strength to persevere in our faith.
Spiritual expression
In a biblical church, the spiritual gifts given by the Holy Spirit are recognised, nurtured, and exercised for the edification of the whole body. The church in Antioch provides a compelling example: “As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, ‘Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them’” (Acts 13:2). The Church is not a place of passive attendance but of active participation, where each member contributes to the growth and vitality of the body through the gifts bestowed by God.
In summary..
The blueprint for the Church, as laid out in Scripture, is simple yet profound. It is a Christ-centred, Scripture-saturated, spiritually vibrant community of believers, united in love and purpose. As we examine our own churches, let us ask: Do we reflect this divine design? Are we upholding the truth, exalting Christ, and ministering in the power of the Spirit? May we, like the early Church, be found faithful to our Lord’s calling, that we might bring glory to His name and advance His kingdom on earth.