Organism (body of Christ)
Elevates the church above business and social agencies.
Lesson 5 · Course 57
What We Believe About The Doctrine Of The Church
The church as Christ’s body and stewardship — organism, assembly, and Great Commission.
At a glance
Summary
The church is an organism — the body of Christ — belonging to Christ, with embryonic truth in Scripture’s first reference. “Binding and loosing” are not uniformly understood by all believers. Dispensation means stewardship. “Church” has many popular meanings; the building analogy is not the most used; fold and flock are not identical. Theologically the church is an assembly of professing believers, and it ceases to be a church when it ceases the Great Commission.
Quiz 5: 10/10 (100%), 10m 56s, cmid 959 / attempt 101771. Essays Complete/Not graded.
Big ideas
What to teach and remember
- Church is an organism (body of Christ), above business/social agencies.
- First Scripture reference contains embryonic truth of its development.
- The church belongs to Christ.
- “Binding and loosing” are not clearly understood the same way by all believers.
- Dispensation means stewardship.
- “Church” has many popular/generic meanings.
- Building is not the most used analogy for the church.
- Fold and flock are not identical in meaning in Scripture.
- Theologically: assembly of professing believers.
- Ceases to be a church when it ceases the Great Commission.
Key terms
People, places, and words that matter
Dispensation
Means stewardship.
Binding and loosing
Not clearly understood the same way by all believers.
Fold vs flock
Not identical in meaning in Scripture.
Church (theological)
Assembly of professing believers.
Great Commission
A church ceases to be a church when it ceases to carry this out.
Structure
Outline / timeline
- Church as organism belonging to Christ
- First biblical reference and embryonic development
- Disputed and clarified terms: binding/loosing, dispensation, analogies
- Theological definition and Great Commission
Must remember
Facts to keep straight
| Quiz 5 | 100% (10/10), cmid 959, attempt 101771 |
|---|---|
| Church nature | Organism — body of Christ; belongs to Christ |
| Dispensation | Stewardship |
| Theological definition | Assembly of professing believers |
| Great Commission | Ceases to be a church without it |
| Analogies | Building not most used; fold ≠ flock |
Compare
Side-by-side contrasts
Organism vs agencies
- Body of Christ
- Elevated above business and social agencies
Fold vs flock
- Not identical in meaning in Scripture
For the pulpit
Sermon hooks
- Preach the church as Christ’s body, not a brand or club.
- Stewardship (dispensation) keeps the church accountable under Christ.
- A church without the Great Commission has lost what makes it a church.
- Don’t force “binding and loosing” into a consensus that Scripture and history don’t share uniformly.
Quiz drill
Quiz drill / review · open to practice · 10 items
Quiz score: 100% · 1 attempt
1. The church is an organism (the body of Christ) which elevates it above the business and social agencies of our day.
TrueOrganism — body of Christ.
2. The first reference to the church in Scripture contains the embryonic truth of its development.
TrueEmbryonic truth in the first reference.
3. The church belongs to Christ.
TrueBelongs to Christ.
4. The terms, “binding and loosing,” are clearly understood truths embraced in the same way by all believers.
FalseNot uniformly understood by all believers.
5. The term “dispensation” means “stewardship.”
TrueDispensation = stewardship.
6. The word “church” has many popular or generic meanings.
TrueMany popular meanings.
7. The picture of a building is the most used analogy for the church.
FalseBuilding is not the most used analogy.
8. The terms “fold” and “flock” are identical in meaning in the Scriptures.
FalseFold and flock are not identical.
9. From the theological perspective, the church is an assembly of professing believers.
TrueAssembly of professing believers.
10. A church ceases to be a church when it ceases to carry out the Great Commission.
TrueGreat Commission is essential.
Essay themes
If you preach or review
Explain the meaning of the word, ‘church.’
The word “church” comes from the Greek ekklesia, meaning an assembly of people who are called out. In the New Testament, believers are called out from the world and called together for God’s purpose. The word can refer to a local congregation, and in a broader sense to the universal body of all true believers in Christ. It is therefore not merely a building or a social organization, but a gathered people who belong to Jesus.
What is meant in Scripture by the term, ‘keys?’
The “keys” refer to the authority and responsibility Christ gives His servants to proclaim the gospel and open the way of salvation to people. Peter used these keys first among the Jews at Pentecost and then among the Gentiles in Cornelius’s house. They do not mean that a human leader controls heaven or forgives sins. The church announces God’s revealed truth; binding and loosing concern declaring what God forbids or permits according to Scripture, and proclaiming the result of the gospel.
Define the church’s six functions, and explain each.
The church has six main functions. First, it is an assembly of professing believers: Christians gather as a visible fellowship, while the church must also seek genuine faith in those who profess Christ. Second, it is the place where the unique presence of Jesus Christ dwells; He is the church’s life and light. Third, it lives under the authority of God’s Word, continuing in apostolic doctrine and accepting the discipline and correction of Scripture. Fourth, it is organized to carry out the Great Commission by preaching Christ, making disciples, baptizing, and teaching believers to obey Him. Fifth, it administers the two ordinances, baptism and the Lord’s Table; baptism pictures identification with Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection, while the Lord’s Table brings edification, fellowship, and self-examination. Sixth, it reflects spiritual gifts, with members and leaders serving one another and the mission of the church through the gifts God gives them.