Topical Bible: Church: Design of

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The design of the Church, as outlined in the Bible, is a multifaceted concept that encompasses its purpose, structure, and function within the Christian faith. The Church is not merely a physical building but a spiritual entity composed of believers who are united in Christ. This entry explores the biblical foundation for the Church's design, its intended roles, and its significance in the life of a believer.

Foundation and Purpose

The Church is founded upon the revelation of Jesus Christ as the Son of God. In Matthew 16:18, Jesus declares, "And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it." This statement underscores the Church's divine origin and its enduring nature. The Church is designed to be a living testimony of God's kingdom on earth, serving as the body of Christ (Ephesians 1:22-23) and the bride of Christ (Revelation 19:7-8).

The primary purpose of the Church is to glorify God through worship, discipleship, fellowship, and evangelism. In Ephesians 3:10-11, Paul writes, "His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, according to the eternal purpose that He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord." The Church is tasked with proclaiming the gospel, nurturing believers, and demonstrating God's love and wisdom to the world.

Structure and Leadership

The New Testament provides a framework for the organizational structure of the Church. Leadership within the Church is established through offices such as elders (also referred to as overseers or bishops) and deacons. In 1 Timothy 3:1-13 and Titus 1:5-9, Paul outlines the qualifications for these roles, emphasizing character, ability to teach, and a life that exemplifies Christian virtues.

Elders are responsible for shepherding the flock, teaching sound doctrine, and providing spiritual oversight (1 Peter 5:1-3). Deacons, on the other hand, are tasked with serving the practical needs of the congregation, allowing elders to focus on prayer and the ministry of the Word (Acts 6:1-4). This structure is designed to ensure that the Church operates effectively and remains faithful to its mission.

Function and Ministry

The Church functions as a community of believers who are called to live out their faith in unity and love. In Acts 2:42-47, the early Church is described as devoted to the apostles' teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayer. This passage highlights the communal aspects of the Church, where believers support one another, share resources, and grow together in faith.

The Church is also designed to equip believers for ministry. Ephesians 4:11-13 states, "And it was He who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for works of ministry and to build up the body of Christ." This equipping is essential for the spiritual maturity of believers and the effective witness of the Church in the world.

Unity and Diversity

The design of the Church embraces both unity and diversity. Believers are united in Christ, forming one body with many members, each with unique gifts and functions (1 Corinthians 12:12-27). This diversity is intended to strengthen the Church, as each member contributes to the common good and the fulfillment of the Church's mission.

In John 17:21, Jesus prays for the unity of His followers, "that all of them may be one, Father, just as You are in Me and I am in You." This unity is a powerful testimony to the world of the truth of the gospel and the love of God. The Church is called to maintain this unity through the bond of peace, as described in Ephesians 4:3-6.

The design of the Church, as revealed in Scripture, is a divine blueprint for a community that reflects God's glory, advances His kingdom, and nurtures His people. Through its foundation, structure, function, and unity, the Church serves as a vital instrument in God's redemptive plan for humanity.

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Romans 3:2
Much every way: chiefly, because that to them were committed the oracles of God.
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Romans 9:4
Who are Israelites; to whom pertains the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises;
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Ephesians 2:20-22
And are built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;
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1 Timothy 3:15
But if I tarry long, that you may know how you ought to behave yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.
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Library

Concerning the Multitudes who were Healed. Comparison of the ...
... at His feet and are healed; so that the multitude of the church is astonished ... now
through the power of Jesus leap as an hart are not without design compared to ...
/.../18 concerning the multitudes who.htm

The Introduction to the Work with Some General Account of Its ...
... it, matter of just lamentation."4. To remedy this evil is the design of the ... those
honored servants of Christ, who, in the early days of his church, were the ...
/.../the rise and progress of religion in the soul/chapter i the introduction to.htm

Innocent, Bishop, to Presbyters and Deacons, and to all the Clergy ...
... those, which were defined at Nic??a, to which alone the Catholic Church is bound
to ... and unlawful decrees they are always intending to weaken the design of the ...
/.../chrysostom/on the priesthood/innocent bishop to presbyters and.htm

The Church Before and after Christ.
... future things so that, the events predicted having come to pass, the Church may
believe ... 41:23, xlii.9, and xliii.19, leave no doubt as to the design of prophecy ...
/.../kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/xi the church before and.htm

The Doctrine of the Apostolic Church
... asserts its immense superiority to paganism in its account of the design of the ... his
own blood obtained eternal redemption" [197:1] for His Church; "mercy and ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/killen/the ancient church/chapter ii the doctrine of.htm

Article xv (viii): of Human Traditions in the Church.
... with the design that it should merit the remission of sins, or righteousness, but
they have been instituted for the sake of good order in the Church and for ...
/.../melanchthon/the apology of the augsburg confession/part 20 article xv viii .htm

The Lecturer's Preface.
... the discussion of some points that I would gladly have avoided, had the omission
been consistent with my main design, to reach and arouse the church, when she ...
/.../finney/lectures on revivals of religion/the lecturers preface.htm

Book 4
... 2. That which is common to the Clergy and the people, the design of which is ... in
excommunication, the object of which is threefold.1. That the Church may not be ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/book 4.htm

The Formation and Order of the Primitive Church.
... that the Lord's supper was a stated part of the worship of the Church, and that ... but
for this very reason I conclude, that it was not the usual design of coming ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture iii the formation and.htm

The Church as She Should Be
... That she is an army is true enough, for the church is one, but many; and consists
of men who march in order under a common leader, with one design in view and ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/the church as she should.htm