These were all names of cities in the Roman province of Asia, a part of what we now call Asia Minor, territory belonging at the present time to the country of Turkey. Is the church worthy of our study of this doctrine? I was a Catholic for thirty years. The Role and Importance of the Church in the Community We have to be willing and able to build the bridges to create the right common ground, so people can get more out of what is in the Bible. The first thing that Jesus says about the church is that the gates of Hades will not overpower it (Matthew 16:18). 29 And now, Lord, pay attention to their threats, and grant to your servants to speak your message with great courage, 30 while you extend your hand to heal, and to bring about miraculous signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus. 31 When they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak the word of God courageously (Acts 4:23-31). 13 And when you heard the word of truth (the gospel of your salvation)when you believed in Christyou were marked with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is the down payment of our inheritance, until the redemption of Gods own possession to the praise of his glory (Ephesians 1:1-14, The NET Bible).2. 2 Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are from the NET Bible. Indeed these blessings have been lavished upon us (1:8). The Thessalonian Christians endured these challenges, fostering a resilient community in the face of adversity. Is not the bread that we break a sharing in the body of Christ? Paul wrote to the Ephesus church so that they would be unified in love. What is the history and significance of the church at Thessalonica Those are great questions. In between, the church experiences tragedies and triumphs, sorrows and joys. 1 Corinthians 14:35 KJV, "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:" Galatians 1:13 KJV, "That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish." The Thessalonian Church became closely associated with eschatology, particularly through the Apostle Pauls teaching on the Second Coming of Christ and the final resurrection. 4 For he lovingly chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world that we may be holy and unblemished in his sight. Whatever you bind on the earth will have been bound in heaven, and whatever you release on earth will have been released in heaven. 20 Then he instructed his disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Christ (Matthew 16:16-20). Here is the promise of salvation for all who will believe, a promise which includes the gift of the Holy Spirit. How arrogant. Just as Jesus has called all of us to serve Him, He then turns us to serve others. If so, then we should proceed with our study of the church, convinced that this is an endeavor well worth the time and effort required. The final point of why going to church is important is all of the reasons above, combined into this one: If church is a place of encouragement, and truth, and good works, its a place that needs people to go! I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. The translation project originally started as an attempt to provide an electronic version of a modern translation for electronic distribution over the Internet and on CD (compact disk). Paul was privileged not only to proclaim this mystery (a proclamation that was not always welcomed see Acts 22:21-23), but to actually preach the gospel to the Gentiles. It is He who chose us in eternity past, before the foundation of the world (1:4). Related Media April 2, 2017 Since I plan to spend the next few weeks preaching on what the Bible says about the church, it's important that we begin by making sure we're all on the same page regarding the question: What is the church? It's the holiday that kicks off summer; we fire up the grill, plant the garden, and pack up the sweaters. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. Answer (1 of 21): I am an ex-Catholic. 2. We pursued the pleasures of the flesh, without even knowing we were in bondage to the flesh. In fact, the Bible refers to followers of Christ as salt and light (Matt. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John. 17 For this reason do not be foolish, but be wise by understanding what the will of the Lord is. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you too were called to the one hope of your calling, 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all (Ephesians 4:1-6). In fact, we could say Ephesians answers this question: W Paul gives great attention to ecclesiology, the doctrine of the church, in his letter to the Ephesians. What Is the Nicene Creed? Its Significance in Church History - Christianity The Importance of Church as a Community | GCU Blog From its foundation by the Apostle Paul to its enduring impact, the Church at Thessalonica carries a rich history that shaped the development of Christianity. John Piper Topic: Children Subscribe Apple Spotify The primary fact about little children in the Bible is that they are helpless and dependent on adults for their life. Lost (dare I say heathen) Gentiles who were formerly far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ (2:13). Paul played a foundational role in the establishment and growth of the Church at Thessalonica. If we are members of His church by faith in Him, Jesus is the Head of the church, in addition to being the Head over all things (just as Paul stated earlier in 1:20-21). Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church. In reality, we were enslaved to our fleshly passions and lusts. When the right car came along, the question of price came up. When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. 8 Reasons Why Church is Important [According to the Bible], This is who the church REALLY is [According to Ephesians]. For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. 6. 4. Despite these hardships, the Thessalonian Christians remained steadfast in their faith and displayed exceptional endurance. Paul was speaking of saving faith during this time. The cultural context provided opportunities for dialogue and engagement, enabling the early Church to grow and establish itself as a prominent presence in the city. 14 For he is our peace, the one who turned both groups into one and who destroyed the middle wall of partition, the hostility, in his flesh, 15 when he nullified the law of commandments in decrees. 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 overpower it. If I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth. To the church of God that is in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints together with all those who in every place call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both their Lord and ours: Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother. For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. Its People - just one soul is worth it - much more dozens of them, gathered together to learn of Him and live for Him 2. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. He said, Tell James and the brothers these things, and then he left and went to another place (Acts 12:8-17). What! For example, in Matthew 20:25-28, Jesus claims that leaders shouldn't have authority over people but instead lower themselves to be a servant pure of heart and free of pride. The Importance of Bible Study - Church Leadership He informs his readers that the church is the body of Christ, the fullness of him who fills all in all (1:23). 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying: Look! Or do you despise the church of God and humiliate those who have nothing? The person who has seen me has seen the Father! We lived our lives thinking we were free. When the Master returns, do you want Him to find you hiding in a corner? Should we therefore not wage our spiritual warfare as a part of the church, and not merely as an individual? The early church "devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer" ( Acts 2:42 ). What are the enduring lessons from the Church at Thessalonica for modern-day churches? And surely I am with you always, to . Situated in modern-day Greece, the church played a pivotal role in the spread of Christianity in the region, establishing itself as a beacon of faith and perseverance. But looking forward, no one saw the church coming. If we are going to really engage ourselves in this study, we must first be convinced of its importance. Though sometimes we may have to walk a path by ourselves, we are not alone. Should it not be important to us as well? " - Leviticus 27:28-32 14 When she recognized Peters voice, she was so overjoyed she did not open the gate, but ran back in and told them that Peter was standing at the gate. However, this rapid growth sparked opposition from some Jews who saw Christianity as a threat to their traditions and religious beliefs. Put differently, the mystery was the secret of His church, made up of both Jews and Gentiles, through faith in Jesus Christ: 5 Now this secret was not disclosed to mankind in former generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit, 6 namely, that through the gospel the Gentiles are fellow heirs, fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 3:5-6). For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. From whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love. Its Purpose - to lift up the mighty name of Jesus Christ and live for Him G. There are Four Reasons Why Our Church here in Ballincollig is Important 1. Mel Walker Contributing Writer Feb 18, 2020 We are the body of Christ. He will live among them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God (Revelation 21:1-3). Is it something individual, so that people look at us, so that people conclude that we are spiritual? When the Bible speaks of a "church," it means believers in Christ ( 1 Corinthians 12:27; Romans 12:5 ). We make each other better, and we bring glory to God when we do. Now, in Ephesians 2:11-12, Paul describes his readers hopeless condition as Gentiles, from the standpoint of their separation from Israel. What is the Church? It's Role & Purpose According to the Bible He purposed that we should be holy and unblemished in his sight (1:4). (2) These blessings have God the Father as their source. Believers should individually be the light of the world. It is not our purpose to give a full exposition of these first chapters of Ephesians, but only to show how important the church is in each chapter. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Leaders of a church should be servants first. 14 So we are no longer to be children, tossed back and forth by waves and carried about by every wind of teaching by the trickery of people who craftily carry out their deceitful schemes. This must not happen to you. 23 But he turned and said to Peter, Get behind me, Satan! 8. 7 Receive one another, then, just as Christ also received you, to Gods glory. And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all. It means we are openly joining the ranks of those who believe in Christ. Notably, the Thessalonian Churchs theological emphasis on faith, hope, love, and the return of Christ has influenced Christian thought and practice throughout the centuries. Y 10 For we are his workmanship, having been created in Christ Jesus for good works that God prepared beforehand so we may do them (Ephesians 2:1-10). Its like telling a homeless person Go in peace, be warmed and filled, yet they have no food or clothes. The Roman Catholic Church 590 - 1517 A.D. 5. A tithe of everything from the land, whether grain from the soil or fruit from the trees, belongs to the LORD; it is holy to the LORD. I know that I deserve the consequences of my sins. A) We are here in the world, fulfilling the great commission, being ambassadors. The Bible was not important to me as a Catholic. 1. The church is the place where we come together to encourage one another as members of Christ's body. 3. So read over this prayer below, and pray it out loud to God, but if you dont understand and mean it with all your heart, then it is in vain. 16 I pray that according to the wealth of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in the inner man, 17 that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, so that, by being rooted and grounded in love, 18 you may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and thus to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God. in 1971. The answer is not as simple as you may think! For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.