The church is the most important institution in the world from God’s perspective. Far from optional, the church is essential to our spiritual well-being (Heb. 10:24-25). It is imperative that we allow the Bible to inform our view of the church. Our world has many confusing ideas about the church, but the New Testament offers clarity. We should love the church of Christ because Jesus loves her as his bride (Eph. 5:25). Here are twenty important facts about the church of Christ worth pondering:
1. The church of Christ was in the mind of God before the world began (Eph. 3:9-11)
2. The church is the earthly manifestation of God’s kingdom (Matt. 16:18-19; Col. 1:13 Rev. 1:9)
3. Jesus promised to build his church (Matt. 16:18)
4. Jesus told the apostles the church/kingdom would arrive with power in their lifetime (Mark 9:1; Acts 1:8, 2:1-4)
5. The church began on the first Pentecost following the resurrection and ascension of Jesus (Acts 2:1-47)
6. God put all things under Jesus’ feet and placed him as head over everything for the church’s benefit (Eph. 1:22-23)
7. The church is also referred to as the body of Christ (1 Cor. 12:12-13; Eph. 1:23, 4:4)
8. Jesus is the head of the church (Col. 1:18)
9. The Old Testament prophets prophesied about the coming of the house of the Lord (i.e., the church; Isa. 2:2-4, cf. 1 Tim. 3:15)
10. Occasionally the church is referred to as the bride of Christ (Eph. 5:22-24; Rev. 21:9)
11. Jesus purchased the church with his blood (Acts 20:28; Eph. 5:25)
12. God’s manifold wisdom is seen through the church in the heavenly places (Eph. 3:10)
13. Congregations in the New Testament were called: churches of Christ (Rom. 16:16), churches of God (1 Cor. 1:2), the church (Col. 1:18), the church of the living God (1 Tim. 3:15)
14. The church is the new Israel of God (Gal. 6:16)
15. Jesus reconciles Jews and Gentiles to God in one church through his cross (Eph. 2:16-17)
16. Jesus walks in the midst of his church and observes her activity (Rev. 2:1)
17. Jesus will save his church (Eph. 5:23)
18. The church is the pillar and the ground of the truth (1 Tim. 3:15)
19. God’s Spirit dwells in the church and the church is his temple (1 Cor. 3:16-17)
20. Jesus ascended to heaven and left the church gifts to reach spiritual maturity (Eph. 4:11-13)
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