Bible study about church & religion, what divides the church, what Christ said about the church plus watch our Featured Video: We are His church by Abalonekid
Featured Video: We Are His Church by Abalonekid
"For where two or more are gathered together in my name there am I in the midst of them."(Mt.18:20) WHAT IS FELLOWSHIP IN THE CHURCH? IN LOVE (John 13:34) LONG-SUFFERING (Ephesians 4:2)*** Help (Gal.6:2) COMFORT (1 Thess.5:11) ONENESS (1 Cor.12:26). "The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen" (2 Cor.13:14) THE PURPOSE Acts 2:42 could be considered a purpose statement for the church: "They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer." According to this verse, the purposes/activities of the church should be 1) Teaching biblical doctrine 2) Providing a place of fellowship for believers 3) Observing the Lord's supper 4) Praying. The church is to teach biblical doctrine so we can be grounded in our faith. Ephesians 4:14 tells us, "Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming." The church is to be a place of fellowship, where Christians can be devoted to one another and honor one another (Romans 12:10), instruct one another (Romans 15:14), be kind and compassionate to one another (Ephesians 4:32), encourage one another (1 Thessalonians 5:11), and most importantly, love one another (1 John 3:11). The church is to be a place where believers can observe the Lord's Supper, remembering Christ's death and shed blood on our behalf (1 Corinthians 11:23 - 26). The concept of "breaking bread" (Acts 2:42) also carries the idea of having meals together. This is another example of the church promoting fellowship.The final purpose of the church according to Acts 2:42 is prayer. The church is to be a place that promotes prayer, teaches prayer, and practices prayer. Philippians 4:6 t- 7 encourages us, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Another commission given to the church is proclaiming the gospel of salvation through Jesus Christ (Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 1:8). The church is called to be faithful in sharing the gospel through word and deed. The church is to be a "lighthouse" in the community, pointing people toward our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The church is to both promote the gospel and prepare its members to proclaim the gospel (1 Peter 3:15). Some final purposes of the church are given in James 1:27: "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world." The church is to be about the business of ministering to those in need. The church is also to equip believers in Christ with the tools they need to overcome sin and remain free from the pollution of the world.This is done by biblical teaching and Christian fellowship. So, what is the purpose of the church?Paul gave an excellent illustration to the believers in Corinth. The church is God's hands, mouth, and feet in this world—the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:12 - 27). We are to be doing the things that Jesus Christ would do if He were here physically on the earth.The church is to be "Christian," "Christ-like," and Christ-following. MAY GOD RICHLY BLESS YOUR CHURCH! http://www.theabalonekid.com/id103.html Experience "The Gospel of Jesus Christ Revival" http://www.theabalonekid.com/id15.html FREE Praise and Worship Songs MP3 CD: "HE IS COMING". *** Music: http://www.walela.com/ Linda and Rita Coolidge, Sisters in Christ. (In Spoken word segment only). By Abalone Kid Published on Nov 19, 2010
A House divided among itself can not stand
And if a house be divided amongst itself, that house cannot stand, but hath an end. Mark 3:25
What separates (divides) God's church's?
It is strange that people from Christian organizations across the world have so many things in common. Mostly all believe that Jesus Christ died on the cross for our sins, he rose in three days, and left His spirit as a comforter, and that once saved believe that saved people should be baptized and they all do their best to follow the leading of the Holy Ghost and spread the word and commandments of the Lord. Yet, to the rest of the unsaved world the Christian churches are oddly divided which makes unbeliever's wary about the prospect of getting saved. The Lord's people should unite for the purpose of serving the Lord more fully. We could spread the word faster and more effectively if believers and church's would unite. The only thing that stops church's from uniting to spread the word of the Lord is a division which is a thing that divides the ranks of believers and that thing is religion.
List of Bible Verses about Church
Christ speaking of His body as the church And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. Matthew 16:17 (NKJV)
David was glad to go into the house of the Lord "I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD." Psalm 122:1 (KJV)
Church people prayed for Peter "Peter was therefore kept in prison, but constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church." Acts 12:5 (NKJV)
We are to be overseers, watching over those saved by Christ's blood "Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood." Acts 20:28 (NKJV)
"And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church" Ephesians 1:22 (NIV)
"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" Ephesians 3:10 (NIV)
"And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy." Colossians 1:18 (NIV)
"Now I rejoice in what was suffered for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ's afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church." Colossians 1:24 (NIV)
"Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless" Ephesians 5:25-27 (NIV)
"Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching" Hebrews 10:25 (KJV)
Reference: Bible verses about church. http://www.topbibleverses.com/bible-verses-about-church