Topical Encyclopedia
The concept of the Church ascribing glory to God is deeply rooted in biblical theology and is a central tenet of Christian worship and practice. The Church, as the body of Christ, is called to reflect the glory of God through its existence, worship, and mission in the world.
Biblical FoundationThe New Testament provides a robust framework for understanding how the Church is to ascribe glory to God. In
Ephesians 3:21, the Apostle Paul writes, "to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen." . This verse encapsulates the eternal purpose of the Church: to glorify God through its union with Christ.
Worship and PraiseThe Church glorifies God through worship and praise, which are central acts of the Christian community.
Hebrews 13:15 encourages believers, "Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise, the fruit of lips that confess His name." . Worship is not merely a ritualistic practice but a heartfelt response to God's majesty and grace.
Holiness and ObedienceThe Church is called to live in holiness and obedience, reflecting God's character to the world. 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." . By living according to God's commandments, the Church demonstrates His transformative power and ascribes glory to Him.
Unity and LoveThe unity and love within the Church are powerful testimonies to God's glory. Jesus prayed for the unity of believers in
John 17:22-23, saying, "I have given them the glory You gave Me, so that they may be one as We are one—I in them and You in Me—that they may be perfectly united, so that the world may know that You sent Me and have loved them just as You have loved Me." . The Church's unity reflects the divine relationship within the Trinity and serves as a witness to the world.
Mission and EvangelismThe Church ascribes glory to God through its mission and evangelistic efforts. The Great Commission in
Matthew 28:19-20 commands the Church to "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." . By spreading the Gospel, the Church extends God's glory to the ends of the earth.
Suffering and PerseveranceEven in suffering, the Church is called to glorify God. In
1 Peter 4:16, believers are exhorted, "But if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but glorify God that you bear that name." . The Church's perseverance through trials serves as a testament to God's sustaining grace and power.
ConclusionThe Church's ultimate purpose is to glorify God in all aspects of its existence. Through worship, holiness, unity, mission, and even suffering, the Church reflects the glory of God and fulfills its divine calling. As the body of Christ, the Church is a living testimony to the majesty and grace of God, continually ascribing glory to Him throughout all generations.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Ephesians 3:21To him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Library
Whether the Times for the Church Fast are Fittingly Ascribed?
... Whether the times for the Church fast are fittingly ascribed? ... ought to be devoutly
raised to the glory of eternity ... from the dead, and so the Church ordered a ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether the times for the.htm
In the Early Morning,
... HYMNS OF THE EARLY CHURCH In the early morning,. 6,5,6,5. In the early morning,. ...
Judge of all the earth. Glory in the highest,. Be ascribed to God; ...
/.../brownlie/hymns of the early church/in the early morning.htm
He Shows Again from the Union in Christ of Two Natures in one ...
... belongs to the Divine nature may rightly be ascribed to man ... he says, "the head of
the body the Church: who is ... man shall sit on the throne of His glory, ye also ...
/.../cassian/the seven books of john cassian /chapter vii he shows again.htm
The Presbyterian Church of England.
... We acknowledge, with the ancient Church, the mystery of the ... believe that Almighty
God, for His own glory and loving ... and misery is ever to be ascribed to free ...
/.../the presbyterian church of england.htm
Canons of the Church of Alexandria.
... Wrongly ascribed to Hippolytus. ... ordinances which Hippolytus wrote, by whom the Church
speaketh; and ... is equal perfectly in honour, and equal in glory, and has ...
/.../the extant works and fragments of hippolytus/canons of the church of.htm
The Corruption of Man, his Conversion to God, and the Manner ...
... of Pelagius maintains); but it must be wholly ascribed to God ... this grace of God,
to His glory and to ... who give or receive instruction in the Church to presume to ...
//christianbookshelf.org/anonymous/synod of dort/the corruption of man his.htm
On the Catholic Church, Her Parts and Relations
... true faith, to the praise of the glory of the ... her native land, and is called "the
church triumphant;" for ... the title of "catholic" is likewise ascribed, so far ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 2/disputation liv on the catholic.htm
On the Person of the Father and the Son
... of sacred antiquity, and of the church universal, since ... him to whom the proper
essentials of God are ascribed. ... Majesty and glory belong to Him equally with the ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 1/disputation 5 on the person.htm
Confession of the Evangelical Free Church of Geneva. AD 1848.
... of the Evangelical Free Church of Geneva. ... the dead, and that, having ascended into
glory, he intercedes ... faith in Christ, whose righteousness is ascribed to us. ...
/.../confession of the evangelical free.htm
The Controversy Concerning Fasting
... upon the last, when Jesus assumed a function ascribed to God ... is a mystery of the
union betwixt Christ and His Church (Eph.5 ... His glory has been given to another. ...
/.../chadwick/the gospel of st mark/chapter 2 18 the controversy concerning.htm
Resources
Is the Church of Christ a good biblical church? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the difference between the visible and invisible church? | GotQuestions.orgWhat items should be included in a church constitution? | GotQuestions.orgChurch: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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