Topical Encyclopedia The concept of the Church as God's heritage is deeply rooted in the biblical narrative, reflecting the divine purpose and calling of the people of God. The Church, in its essence, is not merely a human institution but a spiritual entity established by God through Jesus Christ. It is both a community of believers and the body of Christ, called to live out the gospel and manifest God's kingdom on earth.Biblical Foundation The Church is first mentioned in the New Testament, where 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" (Matthew 16:18). This foundational statement by Christ establishes the Church as His own creation, built upon the confession of faith in Him as the Messiah. The Apostle Paul further elaborates on the nature of the Church in his epistles. In Ephesians 1:22-23, he writes, "And God put everything under His feet and made Him head over everything for the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all" . Here, the Church is described as the body of Christ, emphasizing its organic unity and its role as the manifestation of Christ's presence in the world. The Church as God's People The Church is often referred to as the people of God, a continuation of the covenant community established in the Old Testament. In 1 Peter 2:9, believers are described as "a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession, to proclaim the virtues of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light" . This passage highlights the Church's identity as God's treasured possession, set apart for His purposes. The imagery of the Church as God's heritage is also seen in the metaphor of the bride of Christ. In Ephesians 5:25-27, Paul writes, "Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her to sanctify her, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to Himself as a glorious church, without stain or wrinkle or any such blemish, but holy and blameless" . This portrays the Church as beloved and cherished by Christ, destined for holiness and glory. Mission and Purpose The Church's mission is to continue the work of Christ on earth, spreading the gospel and making disciples of all nations. The Great Commission, as recorded in Matthew 28:19-20, commands, "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you" . This mission underscores the Church's role as God's instrument for salvation and transformation in the world. Furthermore, the Church is called to be a community of love and service, reflecting the character of Christ. In John 13:34-35, Jesus instructs His disciples, "A new commandment I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you also must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another" . This commandment highlights the Church's witness to the world through its unity and love. The Church's Eternal Heritage The Church's heritage is not only temporal but also eternal. In Revelation 21:2-3, John envisions the ultimate fulfillment of God's plan for His people: "I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, 'Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man, and He will dwell with them. They will be His people, and God Himself will be with them as their God'" . This eschatological vision affirms the Church's destiny as God's eternal dwelling place, where His presence will be fully realized among His people. Nave's Topical Index Joel 3:2I will also gather all nations, and will bring them down into the valley of Jehoshaphat, and will plead with them there for my people and for my heritage Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations, and parted my land. Nave's Topical Index 1 Peter 5:3 Library Methodists, or the Methodist Protestant Church. The Theory of the Church, and the History of Its Perversion. The Saint's Heritage and Watchword Civilized Barbarism (Preached for the Bishop of London's Fund, at ... The Church of Rome in the Second Century. Our Lord's Sacerdotal Prayer The Seven Deacons Religious Zeal. The Charter of Gentile Liberty The Presbyter Resources What are appropriate reasons for missing church? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the church? | GotQuestions.org What is meant by High Church and Low Church? | GotQuestions.org Church: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Church and State: Attempted Usurpation of Ecclesiastical Functions by Civil Authorities, Reproved Church and State: Ecclesiastical Power Superior to Civil: Appoints Kings Church and State: Ecclesiastical Power Superior to Civil: Directs Administration Church and State: Ecclesiastical Power Superior to Civil: Reproves Rulers Church and State: Ecclesiastical Power Superior to Civil: Withdraws Support and Anoints a Successor Church and State: Manasseh, in Subverting, and Afterward Restoring, the True Religion Church and State: State Superior to Religion: Ahaz, in Transforming the Altars Church and State: State Superior to Religion: Hezekiah, in Reorganizing Temple Service Church and State: State Superior to Religion: Jehoash, in Supervising the Repairs of the Temple Church and State: State Superior to Religion: Jeroboam, in Subverting the Jewish Religion Church is Clothed in Righteousness Church of Israel in Covenant With God Church of Israel was Relatively Holy Church of Israel: A Type of the Church of Christ Church of Israel: Admission Into, by Circumcision Church of Israel: All Israelites Members of Church of Israel: Attachment of the Jews To Church of Israel: Called The: Congregation of Israel Church of Israel: Called The: Congregation of the Lord Church of Israel: Established by God Church of Israel: Had: A Spiritual Church Within It Church of Israel: Had: An Appointed Place of Worship Church of Israel: Had: An Ordained Ministry Church of Israel: Had: Appointed Feasts Church of Israel: Had: Appointed Ordinances Church of Israel: Had: The Divine Presence Manifested in It Church of Israel: Members of Excommunicated for Heavy Offenses Church of Israel: Members of Required to Attend Its Worship Church of Israel: Members of Required to Keeps Its Statutes Church of Israel: Members of Required to Know Its Statutes Church of Israel: Members of Separated From, While Unclean Church of Israel: Persons Excluded From Church of Israel: Privileges of Church of Israel: Proselytes Admitted Into Church of Israel: Supported by the People Church of Israel: The Depository of Holy Writ Church of Israel: Worship of, Consisted in Praise Church of Israel: Worship of, Consisted in Prayer Church of Israel: Worship of, Consisted in Preaching Church of Israel: Worship of, Consisted in Reading God's Word Church of Israel: Worship of, Consisted in Sacrifice Church: Assembly of the Saints Church: Assembly of the Upright Church: Baptized (Immersed) Into by One Spirit Church: Believers Continually Added To, by the Lord Church: Branch of God's Planting Church: Called the Congregation in the O. T. (K. J. V. And Others) Church: Christian, Divinely Established Church: Church of the Firstborn Church: Church of the Living God Church: City of the Living God Church: Congregation of Saints Church: Congregation of the Lord's Poor Church: Defiling of, Will be Punished Church: Divisions In, to be Shunned Church: Family in Heaven and Earth Church: General Assembly of the Firstborn (People) Church: God Provides Ministers For Church: God's Husbandry (Farm) Church: Golden Candlestick (Lampstand) Church: Government of, Mosaic and Christian Church: Harmonious Fellowship of Church: List of Congregations of Christians: Antioch Church: List of Congregations of Christians: Asia Church: List of Congregations of Christians: Babylon Church: List of Congregations of Christians: Caesarea Church: List of Congregations of Christians: Cenchrea Church: List of Congregations of Christians: Cilicia Church: List of Congregations of Christians: Corinth Church: List of Congregations of Christians: Ephesus Church: List of Congregations of Christians: Galatia Church: List of Congregations of Christians: Galilee Church: List of Congregations of Christians: Jerusalem Church: List of Congregations of Christians: Joppa Church: List of Congregations of Christians: Judaea Church: List of Congregations of Christians: Laodicea Church: List of Congregations of Christians: Pergamos Church: List of Congregations of Christians: Philadelphia Church: List of Congregations of Christians: Samaria Church: List of Congregations of Christians: Sardis Church: List of Congregations of Christians: Smyrna Church: List of Congregations of Christians: Syria Church: List of Congregations of Christians: Thessalonica Church: List of Congregations of Christians: Thyatira Church: Lot of God's Inheritance Church: Ministers Commanded to Feed Church: Mountain of the Lord's House Church: Pillar and Ground of the Truth Church: Prophecies Concerning Prosperity of Church: Rules of Discipline In, Mosaic and Christian Church: Salt and Light of the World Church: Sought Out, a City not Forsaken Church: Strength and Glory of God Church: Temple of the Living God Church: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Church: Worship of, to be Attended The Church is Edified by the Word The Church: Believers Continually Added To, by the Lord The Church: Christ, the Foundation-Stone of The Church: Christ, the Head of The Church: Clothed in Righteousness The Church: Defiling of, Will be Punished The Church: Displays the Wisdom of God The Church: Extent of, Predicted The Church: Glory to be Ascribed to God By The Church: God Provides Ministers For The Church: Ministers Commanded to Feed The Church: Not to be Despised The Church: Purchased by the Blood of Christ The Church: Saints Baptised Into, by One Spirit The Church: Sanctified and Cleansed by Christ The Church: Shows Forth the Praises of God The Church: The Body of Christ The Church: The Object of the Grace of God The Church: The Wicked Persecute Related Terms |
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