INTRODUCTION: Thetopic assigned to this group is Origin of the church with a focus on Baptist distinctive/Sometopics to consider under the above discussion include;1, Origin of the church2. Eternal purpose of the church3.
The church as kingdom dual spheres4. The authority of the church 5. Task, trait, training and transformation.6. Recommendation/conclusionIthas been noted that the meaning of the church in its essence is a complexissue, this explains why there is a shift from the essence of the church.Thefocus of this discussion is to ascertain the purpose for the existence of thechurch here on earth in order to be conscious of the task and not to allow anymundane thing, to be cloud this vision.
So that Christ would be glorified.1. ORIGIN OF THE CHURCH DEFINITIONS OF THE CHURCHa.
TheChurch is a people called out of this world by faith in Him, assembling andgathering in one name and for the one purpose of being one. (Andy Zopelt; TheOrigins of the word “church|, pdf).b. Churchis an assembly of the citizens of a polis (city) such as the assemblies conveyat frequent intervals while in the secular sense the word ecclesia rederssimply to gathering or assembly of persons. (Erickson).c.
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Thechurch is coming together of baptized believers gathering in a local assemblyfor the purpose of worshipping God. (Baptist view).NB: Considering the etymology of the ‘church’, itshould be known that pagans were using the word “church” long before Christiansever began using it. It was Constantine who worshipped Mithra as his god and heconverted the Mithra god into the Christian house or church.Theold testament background of the term gahal derived from the word for voicerefers to a summon to an assembly and the act of assembly to designate untooccurrence of assembly. Inthe new testament, Jesus says in Matthew 16:18, “I will build my church,’ theword “church” is singular, meaning one and only one; and the word “my” ispossessive, meaning it belongs to the Lord. The Lord began his one church morethan 1,000 years ago in the day of Pentecost of Acts 2.
Someof the resemblance of the church include:1. The Family of God (Hosea 11:1)2. The Flock of God (Ps.
80:1, 95:7)3. The vineyard of God (Ps. 80)4.
The building of God (Eze. 25:8, Eph.3:11)2. ETERNAL PURPOSE OF THE CHURCHTheeternal purpose of the church is the purpose of redemption made available toall men through Christ.
This eternal purpose is to have the church for · The corporate expression of Himself inChrist with many glorified sons conformed to the image of the first born son(Ron Kangai, God’s Eternal Purpose Concerning the Church and the Apostle’sprayer for the church regarding the experience of the Trivine God pdf).· For the display of God’s manifold wisdomto the principalities and powers (Eph. 3:10-11 NIV)· To head up all things in Christ (God’seternal purpose being realized through the Local churches, http://localchurch-gods.purpose.orgaccessed 19th January, 2017).Thecontemporary church should be mindful about the eternal purpose of God andcontinue to involve in the local church in realizing these tasks.3. THE CHURCH AS KINGDOM OF DUAL SPHERES: Lutherused this idea to describe the relationship of the church to the state God hasordained the two governments.
The spiritual, which by the Holy spirit leaderChrist makes Christians and pious people; and the secular which restrains theunchristian and wicked so that they are obliged to keep the peace outwardly….The laws of worldly government extend no further than to the soul God can andwill let no one rule but Himself. Therefore, where temporal power presumes toprescribe laws for the soul, it enchroaches upon God’s government and onlymisleads and destroys souls.Weare to be subject to governmental power and do what it bids, as long as it doesnot bind our conscience but legislates only concerning outward matters.
But ifit invades the spiritual dormain and constrains the conscience over which Godonly trust preside and rule. We should not obey it at all but rather lose ournecks. Temporal authority and government extend no further than to matterswhich are external and corporeal. 4. THE AUTHORITY AND POWER OF THE CHURCHThe authority is foundin expression declaration of Jesus Christ and it isgranted through the scripture and in terms of scripture. The bible is a book ofauthority.
Thepower is threefold: kingly, prophetic and priestly (www.chakechen.edu,19th January, 2017, the Power and Authority of the church)· The church has authority to teach God’sword· The church has the authority to sharethe gospel· The church has authority to disciplineits members5. TASK, TRAIT, TRAINING AND TRANSFORMATION· The task of the church is primarily soulwinning which can be seen in evangelism, witnessing, fellowship, prayer, socialconcern, edification.· Trait of the church; holiness, love,fruithfluness.· Training could be formal or informal· Informal training is mostly done withinthe church confine · Formal training is often donme in astructured organization with certificate· Transformation is the end result of thetask, trait and training of the church.Theissue of bivocational ministry have been a bone of contention in some circles.
While the bible is silent on this issue, whether the professional ministry ornot.Wenoted that Paul the Apostle at a period was involved in tent making in order torealize money for church planting (Acts 18:1-4) especially at the beginning ofhis missionary journey. Butwhen the church was mature to take the responsibility they contribute to Hismissionary endeavor.
(Philipian 4:18-19).Borrowinga leaf from the white missionary that came to Africa. Many of them were professionaldoctors, teachers while preaching the gospel on the order hand they wereprsctitioners whatever their professional might be.
In view of the aboveindividual or local church should use every opportunity to do the work of Himnot to hinder bivotional workers.Recommendation:That Jesus Christ is the true foundation no any foundation should be held. (1Cor.
3:11).Thatthe church should not deviate from the purpose given to her but be faithful tothe task of the great commission (Mt. 28:18-19). That there is no perfectchurch on earth but the church is moving toward perfection.
When Jesus wouldcome to present the church Holy (Eph. 5:26)CONCLUSIONThepurpose of the church must be retained with what it was right from thebeginning. In line with the writer of Hebrews said, “Jesus Christ is the sameyesterday, today and forever.
Furthermore Apostle Paul in his letter to his sonin Christ said “Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm, sealed withthis inscription…… (2 Tim. 2:19). Therefore the purpose of the church mustremain intact, no boundary should be shifted.REFERENCESHobbs,H (1964) What Baptists Believe, Mashville, Tennessee, Broodman Erickson,M (1998) Christian Theology; 2nd Edition Grand, Rapid, Michigan,Baker Bwk.
