Universal church (Augustine)
First articulated in The City of God.
Lesson 6 · Course 57
What We Believe About Church Function
When the church began, how it is ordered, and what pastoral titles and Spirit-baptism views mean for church life.
At a glance
Summary
Augustine articulated the universal church in The City of God; multiple views exist on when the church began. Towns does not review five kinds of church authority. Episcopal comes from “bishop.” Some see Acts 15 as the embryonic seed of a denomination (Q5 True — miss if False). NT churches were independent; the church is both organization and organism; elders are spiritually mature; seven pastoral titles; deacons do not run the church.
Quiz 6: 9/10 (90%), 8m 45s, cmid 963 / attempt 101774. Essays Complete/Not graded. Course total 98%; certificate unlocked (cmid 2158). Miss: Q5 Jerusalem Council as embryonic denomination seed.
Big ideas
What to teach and remember
- Universal church first articulated by Augustine in The City of God.
- Multiple views on when the church began.
- Towns does NOT review 5 kinds of church authority.
- Episcopal comes from the word meaning bishop.
- Jerusalem Council (Acts 15) seen by some as embryonic seed of a denomination (Q5 True).
- NT churches were independent.
- Church is both organization and organism.
- Elder = man of spiritual maturity.
- NT includes seven words describing a pastor.
- Bible does not teach that deacons run the church.
Key terms
People, places, and words that matter
Episcopal
From the word meaning bishop.
Jerusalem Council (Acts 15)
Seen by some as embryonic seed of a denomination.
Elder
Man of spiritual maturity.
Organization and organism
The church is both.
Five Spirit-baptism views
Wesleyan; Keswick; Scofield/universal church; local-church/water baptism; Calvary/atonement.
Structure
Outline / timeline
- When the church began and the universal church
- Authority structures: episcopal, Acts 15, independence
- Organization and organism; elder maturity
- Seven pastoral titles; deacons’ role
- Five views of Spirit baptism
Must remember
Facts to keep straight
| Quiz 6 | 90% (9/10), cmid 963 — miss Q5 Acts 15 denomination seed |
|---|---|
| Course total | 98%; certificate unlocked (cmid 2158) |
| Universal church | Augustine, The City of God |
| Episcopal | From “bishop” |
| NT churches | Independent; organization + organism |
| Deacons | Do not run the church |
| Pastoral titles | Seven words in the NT |
Compare
Side-by-side contrasts
Five Spirit-baptism views
- Wesleyan: second work of grace / holy living (strong form: removes sin nature)
- Keswick (Rice/Torrey): distinct post-conversion power for holy living and service
- Scofield: at salvation into universal church / body of Christ
- Local-church / water baptism: Spirit baptism when placed into local church by baptism
- Calvary / atonement: identification with Christ’s death, burial, resurrection
Organization vs organism
- Church is both an organization and an organism
For the pulpit
Sermon hooks
- Hold both: the church is living body and ordered household.
- Pastoral titles are one ministry seen from seven angles — maturity, oversight, shepherding, preaching, teaching, service, messenger.
- Name Spirit-baptism views carefully so people don’t fight straw men.
- Flag the miss: some do see Acts 15 as the embryonic seed of a denomination.
Quiz drill
Quiz drill / review · open to practice · 10 items
Quiz score: 90% · 1 attempt
1. The concept of the universal church was first articulated by Augustine in his book, The City of God.
TrueAugustine in The City of God.
2. Multiple views exist concerning just when the church began.
TrueMultiple views on the church’s beginning.
3. Dr. Towns reviews 5 kinds of church authority.
FalseTowns does not review five kinds of church authority.
4. The title ‘episcopal’ comes from the word meaning ‘bishop.’
TrueEpiscopal from bishop.
5. The Jerusalem Council (Acts 15) is seen by some as the embryonic seed of a denomination.
TrueMiss / partialMiss: chose False; Moodle True — some see Acts 15 as embryonic denomination seed.
6. Churches in the New Testament were independent.
TrueNT churches were independent.
7. The church is both an organization and an organism.
TrueBoth organization and organism.
8. The ‘elder’ was to be a man of spiritual maturity.
TrueElder = spiritual maturity.
9. The New Testament includes seven words describing a pastor.
TrueSeven pastoral words/titles.
10. The Bible teaches that Deacons are to run the church.
FalseDeacons are not taught to run the church.
Essay themes
If you preach or review
Five views of Spirit baptism
The lesson presents five main views. First, the Wesleyan view treats Spirit baptism as a second work of grace after salvation, setting the believer apart for holy living and, in its strongest form, removing the sin nature. Second, the Keswick view, associated with J. R. Rice and R. A. Torrey, also sees a distinct post-conversion work that gives the believer power for holy living and service. Third, the Scofield Reference Bible view says that at salvation the Holy Spirit places the believer positionally into the universal church, the body of Christ. Fourth, the local-church or water-baptism view says that Spirit baptism takes place when a believer is placed into a local church through water baptism. Fifth, the Calvary or atonement view sees Spirit baptism as identification with Christ’s body on the cross, including His death, burial, and resurrection.
Five views of Spirit baptism (Moodle duplicate of Essay 11)
The lesson presents five main views. First, the Wesleyan view treats Spirit baptism as a second work of grace after salvation, setting the believer apart for holy living and, in its strongest form, removing the sin nature. Second, the Keswick view, associated with J. R. Rice and R. A. Torrey, also sees a distinct post-conversion work that gives the believer power for holy living and service. Third, the Scofield Reference Bible view says that at salvation the Holy Spirit places the believer positionally into the universal church, the body of Christ. Fourth, the local-church or water-baptism view says that Spirit baptism takes place when a believer is placed into a local church through water baptism. Fifth, the Calvary or atonement view sees Spirit baptism as identification with Christ’s body on the cross, including His death, burial, and resurrection.
Seven words/titles describing a pastor
As an elder, the pastor must be spiritually mature and provide wise rule and care for the church. As a bishop, he is an overseer who carries chief responsibility for the church’s spiritual and administrative direction, without becoming authoritarian. As a pastor or shepherd, he cares for, feeds, guides, corrects, and protects Christ’s flock. As a preacher, he heralds God’s Word so that people are educated, exhorted, and comforted. As a teacher, he explains Scripture and feeds the flock with sound doctrine. As a servant, he leads humbly by serving the people rather than seeking status or control. As a messenger, he faithfully receives and delivers God’s message to the church. These titles describe one pastoral ministry from different angles: mature leadership, oversight, shepherding, proclamation, teaching, humble service, and faithful communication.