The Church

The Beginning of the Church

To understand what the church is today, we must first understand how the Bible defines it and how it began. By understanding what the church was then, we learn how it's meant to operate now.

The Christian church is found in its most mature, most complete, most orthodox, and perfect form in the New Testament. As Eve originates from the side of Adam fully mature, so does the church from the side of Christ. The history following the establishment of the church in the New Testament doesn't provide anything necessary to the advancement of the church; the faith was "once delivered" (Jude 3). The New Testament church is the final, authoritative, timeless ideal for how the church is meant to be.

The Day of Pentecost

The Book of Acts details the first day of the church, the Day of Pentecost, when the Spirit of Christ descended from heaven, filling believers. It's here where we see the first New Testament preaching, done by the Apostle Peter who, given the keys to the kingdom by Christ Himself, unlocks the door to all who would enter (Acts 2:38).

The Holy Spirit

The believer receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit was the shaping element in the establishment of the Church.

The church is the body of Christ, carrying out His will on earth. It's the original outpouring of the Spirit that initiated this body on earth, and it's receiving the Spirit that brings the individual into it. "For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body..." (1 Corinthians 12:13).

Receiving the Holy Spirit resurrects the human spirit, dead in trespass and sin, and allows for a personal relationship between God and man. Peter states that the promise of receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost is "unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call" (Acts 2:39).

Church Today

Praise and Worship

King David is the Biblical example for praise and worship. The tabernacle of David was not centered around animal sacrifices, but instead sacrifices of praise and thanksgiving (Psalm 51:16). This signified the transition from the rule by law to the rule by the Spirit with the coming of Jesus Christ. In contrast to the tabernacle of Moses, this worship demands real spiritual engagement. This worship includes:

• Giving thanks, praising, rejoicing (1 Chronicles 16)

• Dancing, shouting (1 Chronicles 15)

• Lifting up hands (Psalm 134:2)

• Singing praises, praising together in congregation (Psalm 7:17, Psalm 35:18)

• Praising with musical instruments (Psalm 33:2, 1 Chronicles 16:5)

Ministry

Ministry in the church is centralized around service and anointing. Scripture presents ministry as something given by God for the building up of the entire body. Paul writes that Christ "gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ" (Ephesians 4:11-12).

The church is meant to be a functioning body where every member contributes: “The body is not one member, but many” (1 Corinthians 12:14). Ministry, therefore, is not limited to the pulpit. Teaching, encouragement, mercy, prayer, generosity, and service are all forms of ministry when done unto the Lord.

Ministry in the church is ultimately grounded in truth and empowered by the Spirit. The early church “continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers” (Acts 2:42). Ministry that produces lasting fruit is anchored in Scripture and led by the Spirit. When ministry operates according to God's design, the church grows not only in number but in holiness, unity, and spiritual strength.

Tithe and Offering

Every organization, including God's church, requires a means of financial support. Because tithing was first seen in the Old Testament and is mentioned less in the New Testament, some mistakenly assume that tithing is not a part of the church today. The Old Testament refers to withholding from tithe and offering as robbing God:

"Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings." (Malachi 3:8)

Jesus came "not to destroy [the law], but to fulfil" (Matthew 5:17). Therefore the Old Testament concept of tithe and offering was not abolished but rather expounded upon in the New Testament. The New Testament emphasis is on heart-driven giving under grace rather than legal minimums under the law:

"Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver." (2 Corinthians 9:7)

"Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel." (1 Corinthians 9:14)

"Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come." (1 Corinthians 16:2)

The principle of giving according to increase still stands, however the New Testament calls for a willing and gracious heart behind it. Scripture encourages believers to give voluntarily and gladly in proportion to what God has provided, recognizing Him as the source of provisions.

"Honour the LORD with thy substance, And with the firstfruits of all thine increase: So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, And thy presses shall burst out with new wine." (Proverbs 3:9-10)

Do I Need a Church?

As for the necessity of congregating as a church, Scripture is clear that we should not be “forsaking the assembling of ourselves together” (Hebrews 10:25). Regularly gathering with other believers is essential for our spiritual growth and perseverance. The church provides a place for fellowship and mutual encouragement. It is also where we receive spiritual teaching, guidance, and correction, equipping us to live obediently and serve effectively. Moreover, assembling allows us to participate in corporate worship and prayer, all of which nurture our relationship with God and with one another. By faithfully engaging in the life of the church, we are built up as the body of Christ and bear witness to God’s kingdom on earth.

“I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD.” (Psalm 122:1)