THE CHURCH

A Catechetical Study

CHURCH: A Lutheran Understanding

WHO: The Church is an Assembly

“…the word “church” really means nothing else than a common assembly and is not of German but of Greek origin, like the word ecclesia.” (LC II 48)

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People feel the need to come together because it’s how God designed us:

“Then the LORD God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.” (Genesis 2:18 ESV)

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We even see this natural law even in the secular world: “The Beatles needed the Rolling Stones. Even Diane Sawyer needed Katie Couric. Will you be my Katie Couric?”

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Theological Truth: Our God (and by extension His Creation) is a relational God.

Christ’s Body: Not like other assemblies

• The ONLY community that has Christ is her head.

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• The ONLY community in the world in which God daily and richly forgives the sins of all believers.

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• The ONLY community that preserves and proclaims the testimony of Jesus’s apostles.

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• The ONLY community where salvation may be found.

Who assembles in the VISIBLE church

Believers: The Body of Christ

And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.

Acts 2:42-47 (ESV)

Unbelievers

“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was thrown into the sea and gathered fish of every kind. When it was full, men drew it ashore and sat down and sorted the good into containers but threw away the bad.  So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous  and throw them into the fiery furnace. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

Matthew 13:47-50 ESV

For we grant that in this life hypocrites and evil people are mingled with the church and are members of the church according to the external association of the church’s signs—that is, the Word, confession of faith, and sacraments—especially if they have not been excommunicated. (Ap AC VII 4)

Who assembles in the INVISIBLE church

Believers: The Body of Christ

For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised.  And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins.  Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished.  If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied. But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.

1 Corinthians 15:16-20

Unbelievers

WHAT: The Church is CREATED by God

The Holy Spirit CREATES the Body of Christ with HIS WORD

• Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.  That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.  Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ (John 3:5-7 ESV)

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The Holy Spirit GATHERS the Body of Christ around HIS WORD

• 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:  Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 1:2-3 ESV)

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The Holy Spirit SANCTIFIES the Body of Christ with HIS WORD

• [Jesus said] I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.  I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one.  They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.  Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.  As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world.  And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth.

He is glorified when she…

Administers His Means of Grace

• Baptism
• Holy Communion
• Proclaiming the true Gospel
• Absolution

Cares for His Creation

• Acts of Mercy
• Spiritual Care
• Emotional Care
• Feeding the hungry
• Clothing the poor
• Protecting the environment

And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ…speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into 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.

Ephesians 4:11, 15-16

How the WHOLE BODY works together

Saints who have not fallen asleep

• Word and Sacrament Ministry
• Acts of Mercy
• Acts of Grace
• Sharing God’s Gifts
• Forgiving each other
• Teaching each other
• Admonishing each other
• Supporting each other

Sleeping Saints

• Provide the rule and norm of faith (Scriptures, the Creeds)
• Through their writings, provide theological insights of the church through the centuries
• Connect us to the traditions of the early church
• Translate the Bible for exegetical use today
• Help us avoid false doctrine with their letters dealing with heretical teachings of the past

A foretaste of the feast to come…

Christ is holy because He is God

…the firstborn of the NEW CREATION

(2^nd article of the Creed)

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Christ makes the church holy…

by means of grace

(3^rd Article of the Creed)

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The Church ACTS holy because she IS holy.

(2^nd Commandment)

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THEY WILL HEAR THAT THE NEW CREATION EXISTS AND HAVE AN IDEA OF WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE THROUGH US

WHERE: The Signs of the Church

• Preaching the True Gospel
• Public Ministry
• Evangelism
• Proper Administration of the Sacraments
• Absolution
• Holy Communion
• Baptism
• Prayer
• Suffering

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA

WHERE Christ is preached…

In the church…

Therefore everything in this Christian community is so ordered that everyone may daily obtain full forgiveness of sins through the Word and signs appointed to comfort and encourage our consciences as long as we live on earth. Although we have sin, the Holy Spirit sees to it that it does not harm us because we are a part of this Christian community. Here there is full forgiveness of sins, both in that God forgives us and that we forgive, bear with, and aid one another.

LC II 55

Outside the church…

Outside this Christian community, however, where there is no gospel, there is also no forgiveness, and hence there also can be no holiness. Therefore, all who would seek to merit holiness through their works rather than through the gospel and the forgiveness of sin have expelled and separated themselves from this community.

LC II 56

God’s Holy Little Flock…

1. Centers her life around Christ Crucified. For real. Not kidding!!
2. Receives Christ’s righteousness.
3. Cherishes His Gospel and announces it to the world.
4. Respects His decisions in establishing authority.
5. Seeks no vengeance.
6. Honors the order of creation.
7. Celebrates and supports the way God blesses her neighbor.
8. Speaks well of everyone.
9. Is content with God’s gifts.
10. Really is content with God’s gifts.

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