Topical Bible: The Church is Edified by the Word

Bible > Topical > The Church is Edified by the Word

◄ The Church is Edified by the Word ►

Jump to: Torrey's • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

The concept of the Church being edified by the Word is deeply rooted in Scripture, emphasizing the transformative and sustaining power of God's Word in the life of the Christian community. The term "edify" comes from the Greek word "oikodomeo," which means to build up or strengthen. In the context of the Church, edification refers to the spiritual growth and strengthening of believers through the teachings and truths found in the Bible.

Biblical Foundation

The New Testament provides numerous references to the role of the Word in edifying the Church. In Acts 20:32, the Apostle Paul, addressing the Ephesian elders, states, "And now I commit you to God and to the word of His grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all who are sanctified" . Here, Paul highlights the Word's ability to build up believers, equipping them for their spiritual inheritance.

Ephesians 4:11-12 further underscores this concept: "And He 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" . The passage indicates that the teaching and preaching of the Word by these gifted individuals are central to the Church's edification.

Role of Scripture in Edification

The Word of God serves as the primary tool for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, as noted in 2 Timothy 3:16-17: "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, fully equipped for every good work" . This comprehensive role of Scripture ensures that believers are thoroughly equipped for their spiritual journey and service.

The Apostle Peter also emphasizes the nourishing aspect of the Word in 1 Peter 2:2: "Like newborn infants, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation" . The metaphor of milk illustrates the essential and sustaining nature of the Word for spiritual growth and maturity.

Corporate and Individual Edification

The edification of the Church through the Word occurs both corporately and individually. In a corporate setting, the public reading and exposition of Scripture during worship services play a crucial role. Colossians 3:16 encourages believers, "Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God" . This communal engagement with the Word fosters mutual encouragement and growth.

Individually, believers are called to meditate on and internalize the Word. Psalm 1:2-3 describes the blessed man whose "delight is in the law of the LORD, and on His law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, yielding its fruit in season, whose leaf does not wither, and who prospers in all he does" . Personal study and reflection on Scripture are vital for individual edification and spiritual vitality.

The Word as a Means of Unity and Maturity

The edification of the Church through the Word also leads to unity and maturity among believers. Ephesians 4:13-14 speaks to this outcome: "until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God, as we mature to the full measure of the stature of Christ. Then we will no longer be infants, tossed about by the waves and carried around by every wind of teaching and by the clever cunning of men in their deceitful scheming" . The Word serves as a stabilizing force, grounding believers in sound doctrine and fostering unity in the faith.

In summary, the Church is edified by the Word through its teaching, correction, and encouragement, leading to spiritual growth, unity, and maturity. The Scriptures serve as the foundation for the Church's life and mission, equipping believers for every good work and drawing them closer to the likeness of Christ.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Corinthians 14:4,13
He that speaks in an unknown tongue edifies himself; but he that prophesies edifies the church.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Ephesians 4:15,16
But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

A Bird's-Eye view of the Early Church
... 'Then had the Church rest, and was ... of the Holy Ghost.' There are two things,
then"the being 'edified' and 'walking'; and I wish to say a word or two ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture the acts/a birds-eye view of the.htm

From the Fourth Chapter.
... the announcement of the Old Testament was edified with his ... of the Gospels, but also
the Word itself of ... For the Catholic Church holds those things which were ...
/.../commentary on the apocolypse of the blessed john/from the fourth chapter.htm

Of the Teachers and Ministers of the Church. Their Election and ...
... when he accustoms us to obey his word though preached ... he dispenses and distributes
his gifts to the Church, and thus ... and the body of Christ is edified; in this ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 3 of the teachers.htm

Of the True Church. Duty of Cultivating Unity with Her, as the ...
... that the Church can only be edified by external ... which God has appointed in his Church
for learning and ... consecrates temples to their legitimate use by his word. ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 1 of the true.htm

The Lord's Day --The Worship of the Apostolic Church --Its ...
... exercise, one or more of the elders edified the congregation ... an adult heathen was
received into the Church of Israel ... capable of believing; for in the Word of God ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/killen/the ancient church/chapter i the lords daythe.htm

Home Influence and Training in their Relation to the Keeping of ...
... than these same old stories, that have edified a hundred ... the more important teachings
of the Word are summarized ... Let them take their Church books and turn to ...
/.../the way of salvation in the lutheran church/chapter vi home influence and.htm

Mormonites, or the Church of the Latter-Day Saints.
... believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God ... many of the Nephites, and established
his church, chose disciples ... he that is weak, that he may be edified in all ...
/.../hayward/the book of religions/mormonites or the church of.htm

Jehovah-Shammah: a Glorious Name for the New Year
... pure heart," but I will say, "fervently." Where God is present the church is edified
in love ... What happy times we have in preaching the word of the Lord, when ...
/.../spurgeons sermons volume 37 1891/jehovah-shammah a glorious name for.htm

The Master's Friends
... to another, and comforted themselves together, and edified one another ... like himself,
never openly left the Church of Rome ... have more respect to the Word of Christ ...
/.../bevan/three friends of god/chapter xxxiv the masters friends.htm

Of St. Austin that Brought Christendom to England
... And after, they edified there a fair church in the same ... for as soon as she entered
the church her bowels ... his fellowship began to preach there the word of God ...
/.../wells/bible stories and religious classics/of st austin that brought.htm