The word Church appears many times in the Scripture, does it always mean the same thing?
The dictionary defines Church as “a building used for public
Christian worship.”
A biblical definition is “A group of Christians; church is
a biblical word for “assembly.”
A called out Assembly.
The word church appears 76 times in the New Testament.
In Matthew 16:18, 18:17 it would have been better translated assembly, since it was addressing Jews.
In Acts (appears 18 times) again the word assembly would have been a better translation since the people assembled or meeting were Jews who had come to believe that Jesus was the Messiah and gotten baptized to confirm their belief.
In Romans through Philemon, Paul, the Apostle to the Gentiles, is writing to the CHURCHES (mostly Gentile believers) which he had established during his journeys.
Hebrews, written by Paul to Jewish believers again probably should have been translated assembly.
James, Peter, and John were Jews writing to Jewish believers and again should have been translated assemblies.
Revelation 2-3, letters to the 7 churches would have been
better translated assemblies since they were 7 Jewish assemblies that existed
in that day:
Revelation 1:11Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea.
What is the Church? Yes, it is a building where people gather and meet to worship. But the true church is made up of all who have been saved (Romans 10:9-13) also called the Body of Christ.
1 Corinthians 12:27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular. Ephesians 4:12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
1. a. Having a homogeneous or uniform composition; not mixed: pure oxygen.b. Free of dirt, pollutants, infectious agents, or other unwanted elements: pure water.c. Containing nothing inappropriate or extraneous: pure thoughts. 2. a. Having no moral failing or guilt: “I felt pure and sweet as a new baby” (Sylvia Plath).b. Chaste; virgin. 3. Of unmixed blood or ancestry.
God, through the Blood of Christ, has made us PURE. Now the Apostle Paul instructs how to be PURE in this life:
Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. 1 Timothy 1:5Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned: 1 Timothy 3:9Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. 1 Timothy 5:22Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men’s sins: keep thyself pure. 2 Timothy 1:3I thank God, whom I serve from my forefathers with pure conscience, that without ceasing I have remembrance of thee in my prayers night and day; 2 Timothy 2:22Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of pure conscience Titus 1:15Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothingpure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.
To summarize: think on these things, whatsoever things are pure, a pure conscience, a pure heart,keep thyself pure. For the believerall things are pure.
As we read the scripture, sometimes we forget it’s a progressive book. We are looking BACK and wonder why things occurred the way they did. For example, why did the Eleven disciples all scatter when Jesus was arrested? Why did they hide in the upper room after his crucifixion? Didn’t He tell them He was going to die? Didn’t He tell them He would rise again from the dead? Yes, He did. Look at the following verses. Be sure to read them in their context:
Mark 9:32 But they understood not that saying, and were afraid to ask him. Luke 2:50 And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them. Luke 9:45 But they understood not this saying, and it was hid from them, that they perceived it not: and they feared to ask him of that saying.
John 8:27 They understood not that he spake to them of the Father. John 10:6 This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them.
John 12:16 These things understood not his disciples at the first: but when Jesus was glorified, then remembered they that these things were written of him, and that they had done these things unto him.
This last reference holds a key: ‘then remembered they’. Ah yes, after He appeared to them in His glorified body it all became clear to them. Then they became bold and preached the kingdom, that Jesus was their messiah.
Now we gentiles can learn through the writings of the Apostle Paul, our calling. To tell others of salvation, the gift of God, that we might live with Him in heaven for eternity.
Acts 7:57-58Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord, And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man’s feet, whose name was Saul.
Acts 8:1And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles. Acts 8:3As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison. Acts 9:1-2And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem. Acts 9:3-6And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.
Saul then became Paul:
Acts 13:9Then Saul, (who also is called Paul,) filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him.
Galatians 1:11-14But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews’ religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it: And profited in the Jews’ religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers.
PAUL was/is the Apostle to the Gentiles. WAS while he lived! And IS through the epistles he wrote and God preserved for us today!
Romans 1:1Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God, Romans 11:13For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office: 1 Corinthians 1:1Paul called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother, 2 Corinthians 1:1Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, … Galatians 1:1Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead;)Ephesians 1:1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, … Colossians 1:1Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, … 1 Timothy 1:1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God our Saviour, and Lord Jesus Christ, which is our hope; 2 Timothy 1:1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, … 2 Timothy 1:11Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles. Titus 1:1Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God’s elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness;
All through his ministry he had to defend his calling. After all, he had persecuted the Jewish believers, even having them put to death. And he had rejected the Lord Jesus while he was on earth.
2 Corinthians 11:22-23Are they Hebrews? so am I. Are they Israelites? so am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? so am I. Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft.
But, PAUL was/is the Apostle to the Gentiles.
Sent by the Lord Jesus to built the Church, the Body of Christ!
Matt 13:10-11And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables? He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.
P = Stated as a Parable in the text M = Not stated in text but Maybe a parable E = Probably an actual Event
(P) The Mote and Beam – Matthew 7:1-6 Mark 6:37-43 Reproving the Pharisees – Do NOT presume to judge others (P) The Two Buildings – Matthew 7:24-27 Luke 6:47-49 Sermon on the Mount – Discipleship demands obedience (P) The Rich Man’s Meditation – Luke 12:16-21 Dispute of Two Brothers – Folly of reliance upon wealth (P) The Barren Fig Tree – Mark 13:6-9 Giving a second chance – Danger in the unbelief of the Jewish people (P) The Soils/Sower – Matthew 13:3-23 Mark 4:3-20 Luke 8:5-15 Sermons on the Seashore – God guarantees the Harvest (P) The Tares – Matthew 13:24-30, 36-42 Sermon on the Seashore – Final separation of the righteous and evil (P) The Candle – Matthew 5:14-16 Mark 4:21 Luke 8:16, 11:33 To the Disciples Alone – Effect of Good Example (P) The Seed – Mark 4:26-29 Sermon on the Seashore – Mysterious Growth of the Kingdom (P) The Grain of Mustard Seed – Matthew 13:31-32 Mark 4:31-32 Luke 13:19 Sermon on the Seashore – Mysterious Growth of the Kingdom (P) The Leven – Matthew 13:33 Luke 13:31 Sermon on the Seashore – Kingdom’s power of change (P) The Hidden Treasure – Matthew 13:44 To the Disciples Alone – Joy of the Kingdom (P) The Pearl of Great Price – Matthew 13:45-46 To the Disciples Alone – Value of the Kingdom (P) The Net – Matthew 13:47-50 To the Disciples Alone – Proclaim the Gospel to all (P)The Householder – Matthew 13:52 To the Disciples Alone – Varied methods of teaching truth (P) False Leadership – Matthew 15:10-20 Mark 7:14-23 To the Multitude – From the heart comes the truth
The word “confess” is the Greek word ekzomologeo, a word that means {to declare, to say out loud, to exclaim, to divulge, or to blurt}. Just what is CONFESSION; when and how are we to do it? The Roman Catholic teach that it is asacrament and that sacramental reconciliation is required only for grave or mortal sins—but it is required. It is taught in Christian Churches that to be saved you must REPENT and BE BAPTISED and then you must confess your sins (daily?) or as often as you commit them(?) It is also taught the sinners prayer is required for salvation, where one must confess he is a sinner and beg God to forgive and save him! Now what exactly does the Scripture teach about confession and salvation? The Lord Jesus speaking to Jews said: Matthew 10:32 Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. Luke 12:8 Also I say unto you, Whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God: But many Jews, even though they believed that Jesus was Lord and the Son of God, were afraid to publicly confess Him. John 9:22 These words spake his parents, because they feared the Jews: for the Jews had agreed already, that if any man did confess that he was Christ, he should be put out of the synagogue. John 12:42 Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue: Now Paul, appearing before Felix, the Governor, confessed (not his sin but his belief): Acts 24:14 But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets: And Paul’s mission (after he was saved) was to go to the Gentiles: Romans 15:9 And that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy; as it is written, For this cause I will confess to thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto thy name. Paul told gentiles (and Jews) just what we are to confess to be saved: Romans 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. That Jesus is God, and we can do it now and be saved or later (after death, when it will be too late to be saved). Romans 14:11For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. Philippians 2:11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. James, writing to Jewish believers (1:1-2), is still living UNDER THE LAW. And following the Law he exhorts them to confess their faults (sins) to each other (James 5:12-16) James 5:16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. John, likewise writing to Jewish believers, was still living UNDER THE LAW. 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Note that John exhorted that they (Jewish believers) are to confess Jesus is their Messiah: 1 John 4:15 Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God. 2 John 1:7 For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.
And last
of all The Lord Jesus will confess the name of all
believers in heaven:
Revelation 3:5 He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.
A definition of Saint: a person acknowledged as holy or virtuous and typically regarded as being in heaven after death.
Just how do you become a Saint? According to one group there is a 5 step procedure.
Step one: Wait five years – or don’t. The process to make someone a saint cannot normally start until at least five years after their death.
Step two: Become a ‘servant of God’.
Step three: Show proof of a life of ‘heroic virtue’.
Step four: Verified miracles.
Step five: Canonization.
But let’s see what the Bible has to say. Looking into the words recorded in ACTS; Jews who believed that Jesus was the Messiah, were called SAINTS.
ACTS 9:13 Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem: ACTS 9:32 And it came to pass, as Peter passed throughout all quarters, he came down also to the saints which dwelt at Lydda. ACTS 9:41 And he gave her his hand, and lifted her up, and when he had called the saints and widows, presented her alive. ACTS 26:10 Which thing I also did in Jerusalem: and many of the saints did I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I gave my voice against them.
Then as the Apostle Paul went to the Gentiles and gave them the Gospel
(1 Corinthians 15:1-4) and when they believed (Romans 10:9-13) they became saints.
Be sure to read all scripture in context for further understanding.
Matthew 22:36-40Master, which is the great commandment in the law?37Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38This is the first and great commandment.39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. (Leviticus 19:18 Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself: I am the LORD.) 40On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. (Deuteronomy 6:5 And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.)
LOVE THY NEIGHBOR
Matthew 5:43Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbor, and hate thine enemy.
Matthew 19:19Honor thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.
Matthew 22:39And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt lovethy neighbor as thyself.
Mark 12:31 And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thyneighbor as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.
Luke 10:27 And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbor as thyself.
Romans 13:9 For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt lovethyneighbor as thyself.
Galatians 5:14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt lovethyneighbor as thyself.
James 2:8 If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt lovethyneighbor as thyself, ye do well:
LOVE ONE ANOTHER
John 13:34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.
John 15:12 This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.
John 15:17 These things I command you, that ye love one another.
Romans 13:8 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.
1 Thessalonians 4:9 But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another.
1 Peter 1:22 Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:
1 John 3:11 For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.
1 John 3:23 And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.
1 John 4:7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.
1 John 4:11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.
1 John 4:12 No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.
2 John 1:5 And now I beseech thee, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment unto thee, but that which we had from the beginning, that we love one another.)
Altar(s) appear in the Holy Scripture about 1628 times. There are 3 Hebrew words and 2 Greek Words translated Altar(s):
Ari’eyl the Altar of the Temple (3 times) Ezekiel 43:15, 16, 18
Madbach a sacrificial Altar (1 times) Ezra 7:17
Mizbeach an Altar (1600 times)
Bomos an Altar (1 times) Acts 17:23 (false Altar)
Thusiaster place of sacrifice & Altar (23 times)
From Adam to the Flood (1656 years) the word Altar is NOT found in the Scripture. Offerings were made to God (Cain and Abel) and an Altar is assumed but not named.
The 1st mention of an Altar is after the flood.
Genesis 8:20 – Noah built an Altar and offered sacrifices three hundred and seventy five plus years later, the Altar is mentioned again after the call of Abram. Genesis 12:7 – Abram arrives in land of Canaan and builds an Altar when God appears to him. After Lot separates to Sodom and Gomora, Abram moves to Hebron. Genesis 13:18 – Abram builds an Alter (2nd) 30+ years later Genesis22:9 – Abraham builds (3rd) Altar to offer his only son Isaac as sacrifice. — Eighty five years pass during which Abraham dies. Genesis26:24 – Isaac builds an Altar after God reaffirms the Abrahamic Covenant. — Sixty nine years pass before Jacob has stolen blessing from Esau and fled to Uncle Laban. Genesis 33:20 – Jacob builds (1st) Alter after serving Laban 20 years and before seeing Esau. Returns to Bethel from Haran. Genesis 35:1-7 – Jacob builds (2nd) Altar. — Six Hundred and 10 plus years pass. Exodus 17:15 – Moses (80 years old) leads Israelites out of Egypt and builds an Altar. — Forty years of wilderness wanderings pass and the Altar is established as part of the Tabernacle and an orderly worship of God is established. Joshua 8:30 – Joshua builds an Altar after the defeat at Ai. — Thirty plus years spent possessing the land. Tribes of Rueben, Gad & ½ Manasseh return to other side of Jordan. Joshua 22:10 – And they build an (great) Altar, which causes much concern for Israel.
200 years
later the Altar is mentioned again
Judges 6:25 – Gideon builds an Altar unto the Lord (after tearing down father’s false Altar). Judges 21:24-25 – plays an important part in the next Altar that is built. Judges 21:4 – The people of Israel build an Altar. Samuel is Judge, people want a King. 1 Samuel 7:17 – Samuel built an Altar in Ramah. Several years pass and Saul is the King of Israel. 1 Samuel 14:35 – Saul built an Altar (1st) unto the Lord. Samuel has died, Saul and Sons are killed. 2 Samuel 24:25 – King David builds an Altar to avert a plague. David turns kingdom over to Solomon, who serves 4 years and then spends 20 years building Temple/Palace. 1 Kings 9:25 – Solomon builds an Altar unto the Lord. Solomon dies. Kingdom turned over to Rehoboam who sets high taxes and total dictatorship. Israel rebels and follows Jeroboam. Judah follows Rehoboam. 1 Kings 12:33 – Jeroboam builds an Altar in Bethel (not unto the Lord).
There are still many references in the Old Testament to Altars being used, torn down or built up unto the Lord as well as False. The New Testament, other than references in Revelation, refer to the Old Testament.
Matthew 5:23,24; 23:18-20,35, Luke 1:11; 11:51, Acts 17:23 1 Corinthians 9:13; 10:18, Hebrews 7:13; 13:10, James 2:21
It would appear that the Altar is currently in Heaven: Revelation 6:9; 8:3,5; 9:13; 11:1; 14:18; 16:7.
It also appears that the “Cross” is the final altar (Hebrews 13:9-16). Remember the final words the Lord said, “IT IS FINISHED” (John 19:30).
