Characteristics of the Kingdom of God – The Church of Christ

The topic of our discussion yesterday was "Characteristics of the Kingdom of God on Earth: The Church of Christ."  We saw that the Kingdom of God on  or the church is of Jesus Christ, who built it.  The church has a unique design, with Jesus as it head and with all members contributing willingly with their God-given talents.  The purpose of the church is also unique: it is the foundation of the truth and it should uphold it and made known this wisdom of God to all the world.

Here are the notes of our study.

October 3, 2011

Characteristics of the Kingdom of God on Earth:

The Church of Christ

Opening Question: How would you describe your favorite vacation spot?

Whether it is a spot at the beach, in the mountains or a busy downtown capital, we all are looking for specific qualities or characteristics when deciding on our holiday destination.  And as much as we would like our holidays, they are not forever, even the longest holidays come to an end and we have to return to our daily lives, where most of us have to work.

Over the last couple of lessons we have discussed the Kingdom of God.  We talked about its importance and what this Kingdom is on Earth.  Today, we are going to look at a few of the characteristics of the Kingdom of God – the Church of Christ.

1.         The Church has a unique name

In Matthew 16:13-18, Jesus said: 13 When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?”  14 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”  15 “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”  16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”  17 Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven.  18 And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.

What is Jesus saying here, specifically in verse 18?

Jesus is saying that He will build His church, not on Peter (like some believe today), but on the confession that Jesus made – that Jesus is the Chosen One, the Son of the Living God.  Therefore, the church that Jesus build is His church, or the Church of Christ.  This body of people is not called by any other name, but the Church of Christ.

What does the word “church” means?  It means “the called out” and that’s what the people that make up the church are – they are called out of a word of sin and into the group of people that are saved.  The Church of Christ is not a building – the early churches met in the houses of people (Romans 16:3-5: 3 Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my co-workers in Christ Jesus. 4 They risked their lives for me. Not only I but all the churches of the Gentiles are grateful to them.)  5 Greet also the church that meets at their house.

So, what is so important about the name?  What is so important about your name?  About the name of a location?

2.         The Church has a unique design

Last week, we talked a little bit about how the church is different from earthy kingdoms that have been around in the past or even now.  The church is the body of people, from all places and countries that worship God and follow His commandments.

In the Bible, we are told that Jesus is the head of the Church (Ephesians 5:23: 23 For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior) and that Jesus purchase the church with His own blood (Acts 20:28: Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood.)

So, Jesus is the head of the church and there are no earthly leaders of the church.  Each local church is independent, meaning that they are not directed or led by another church in the same city or in the same province or country that may be larger or richer.  In the Church of Christ everyone can serve and help one another in accordance with their talents that God has given everyone.  There are elders and deacons, two terms for people the church has selected to take care of some aspects of the day-to-day work, but in terms of the teachings and of the way in which the church functions, Jesus is the only teacher and leader of the church.

3.         The Church has a unique purpose

What is the purpose of the church?

In 1 Timothy 3:15, we read: 15 if I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God’s household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth.

The church is the foundation of the truth and it teaches that truth that God wants everyone to be saved and not perish and come back to Him and have a chance to enjoy the pure relationship men and God had in the beginning.

The purpose of the church is also to make this wisdom of God known – Ephesians 3:10-11: 10 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, 11 according to his eternal purpose that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. 

These are the two main goals of the church that constitute its unique purpose.  No one can come to the Father, our God, but through Jesus Christ and the way in which to come to the knowing of the truth and the wisdom of God is by becoming a part of Jesus’s body, His church.

Conclusions

The Kingdom of God on Earth or the church is of Jesus Christ, who built it.  The church has a unique design, with Jesus as it head and with all members contributing willingly with their God-given talents.  The purpose of the church is also unique: it is the foundation of the truth and it should uphold it and made known this wisdom of God to all the world.