Drew Boswell

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“We Must Never Forget; Remembering What God Has Done For His People” Joshua 4

We Must Never Forget;

Remembering What God Has Done For His People

Joshua 4

Introduction

Picture of Jewish holocaust tattoo survivors.

Prayer

Memorial Stones (vv. 1-14)

When all the nation had finished passing over the Jordan, the LORD said to Joshua, 2 “Take twelve men from the people, from each tribe a man, 3 and command them, saying, ‘Take twelve stones from here out of the midst of the Jordan, from the very place where the priests’ feet stood firmly, and bring them over with you and lay them down in the place where you lodge tonight.’” 4 Then Joshua called the twelve men from the people of Israel, whom he had appointed, a man from each tribe. 5 And Joshua said to them, “Pass on before the ark of the LORD your God into the midst of the Jordan, and take up each of you a stone upon his shoulder, according to the number of the tribes of the people of Israel, 6 that this may be a sign among you. When your children ask in time to come, ‘What do those stones mean to you?’ 7 then you shall tell them that the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the LORD. When it passed over the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. So these stones shall be to the people of Israel a memorial forever. 8 And the people of Israel did just as Joshua commanded and took up twelve stones out of the midst of the Jordan, according to the number of the tribes of the people of Israel, just as the LORD told Joshua. And they carried them over with them to the place where they lodged and laid them down there. 9 And Joshua set up twelve stones in the midst of the Jordan, in the place where the feet of the priests bearing the ark of the covenant had stood; and they are there to this day. 10 For the priests bearing the ark stood in the midst of the Jordan until everything was finished that the LORD commanded Joshua to tell the people, according to all that Moses had commanded Joshua. The people passed over in haste. 11 And when all the people had finished passing over, the ark of the LORD and the priests passed over before the people. 12 The sons of Reuben and the sons of Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh passed over armed before the people of Israel, as Moses had told them. 13 About 40,000 ready for war passed over before the LORD for battle, to the plains of Jericho. 14 On that day the LORD exalted Joshua in the sight of all Israel, and they stood in awe of him just as they had stood in awe of Moses, all the days of his life.”

The whole nation was represented, as a man was selected from each tribe, “Every part of the nation must play its part.”[1] Every part of the nation would leave a memorial for the generations to come – each tribe would speak of what the Lord had done. All of the nation had crossed over the Jordan, therefore all of the nation should proclaim what He had done for them (not just the priests, or the leadership, everyone).

God does not want the past to be forgotten – On 12 different occasions in the OT we see the phrase, “I am the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob.” These are covenants that God made with His people, special events, special words exchanged, that do not need to be forgotten.

These covenants, people, and events should not be forgotten because they serve as a memorial of God’s power expressed in the past, but it is also a promise to future generations that this same God is for them, and not against them, “Thus this promise was still a present reality for the exiles,”[2]

(v. 6) “When your children ask in time to come, ‘What do those stones mean to you?’ 7 then you shall tell them. . .” – “God’s acts of salvation on his people’s behalf must be perpetuated in the memory of the coming generations.”[3] There is a redemptive significance to the events (Crossing the Jordan, the Red Sea Crossing, The Plagues of Egypt and eventual Passover). God is keeping His covenant With His people.

Deuteronomy 6:20 says, “When your son asks you in time to come, ‘What is the meaning of the testimonies and the statutes and the rules that the LORD our God has commanded you?’ 21 then you shall say to your son, ‘We were Pharaoh’s slaves in Egypt. And the LORD brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand.”

Exodus 12:26 is in reference to the Passover, “And when your children say to you, ‘What do you mean by this service?’ 27 you shall say, ‘It is the sacrifice of the LORD’s Passover, for he passed over the houses of the people of Israel in Egypt. . .”

(v. 7) “So these stones shall be to the people of Israel a memorial forever.” For the Hebrew people, to be a memorial means more than simply remember, “It involves remembering with concern; it also implies loving reflection, and where called for, a corresponding degree of action.”[4]

Also, there would only be one time when God’s people crossed the Jordan – God would do this miracle and it would not be repeated, “there is an economy of miracles in Scripture. Remembering was a way for future generations to participate in the great acts God had done for Israel.”[5]

(v. 10) “10 For the priests bearing the ark stood in the midst of the Jordan until everything was finished that the LORD commanded Joshua . . The people passed over in haste.” “As the priests stood in one spot whilst all the people were passing over, it was necessary that the people should hasten over, lest the strength of the priests should be exhausted.”[6]

God is doing His part, the priests are doing their part,

and the people are doing their part – all working together.

(v. 14) “On that day the LORD exalted Joshua in the sight of all Israel, and they stood in awe of him just as they had stood in awe of Moses, all the days of his life” – There were two results that resulted from the wonder of crossing the Jordan. “That the Lord exalted (lit. made great) Joshua in the sight of all Israel and they revered him all the days of his life, just as they had revered Moses (4:14).”[7]

The Jordan Returns to Normal (vv. 15-18)

15 And the LORD said to Joshua, 16 “Command the priests bearing the ark of the testimony to come up out of the Jordan.” 17 So Joshua commanded the priests, “Come up out of the Jordan.” 18 And when the priests bearing the ark of the covenant of the LORD came up from the midst of the Jordan, and the soles of the priests’ feet were lifted up on dry ground, the waters of the Jordan returned to their place and overflowed all its banks, as before.

 In this chapter the ark is referred to by several titles, In vv. 5, 11 the ark of the LORD, v. 7, 17 the ark of the covenant of the LORD, v. 9 the ark of the covenant, v. 10 the ark, and here in v. 16 it is, “the ark of the testimony.” – “The ark contained the testimony, the tablets of the covenant”[8] The ark was a symbolic reminder of the promises of God that He had given to His people.

The Hebrew says of v. 18, “and the soles of their feet tore themselves loose upon the dry ground”[9] emphasizing that it was the ark of the covenant that was holding back the water of the Jordan and the water returned to their place “as before.”

God doesn’t work miracles in the Israelite camp every day – eventually the Red Sea will return to normal, and the Jordan will return to normal, the pillar of smoke and fire will disappear, and even in our lives God may do something spectacular, but life will return to normal.

(v. 15) “And the LORD said to Joshua,” . . . (v.17) “So Joshua commanded the priests,” . . . . (v. 19) “The people came up out of the Jordan.” the writer emphasizes that obedience is the prerequisite for God’s blessing.

Gilgal Encampment (vv. 19-24)

19 The people came up out of the Jordan on the tenth day of the first month, and they encamped at Gilgal on the east border of Jericho. 20 And those twelve stones, which they took out of the Jordan, Joshua set up at Gilgal. 21 And he said to the people of Israel, “When your children ask their fathers in times to come, ‘What do these stones mean?’ 22 then you shall let your children know, ‘Israel passed over this Jordan on dry ground.’ 23 For the LORD your God dried up the waters of the Jordan for you until you passed over, as the LORD your God did to the Red Sea, which he dried up for us until we passed over, 24 so that all the peoples of the earth may know that the hand of the LORD is mighty, that you may fear the LORD your God forever.”

(v. 19) “on the tenth day of the first month, and they encamped at Gilgal on the east border of Jericho” – on the same day, forty years before, Israel had begun to prepare for going out of Egypt by setting aside the paschal lamb. In Ex. 12 we see God’s instructions for the people to prepare to leave Egypt (preparing a lamb, blood on the doorposts, how they should eat dressed in a certain way, etc. Ex. 12:14 “This day shall be for you a memorial day, and you shall keep it as a feast to the LORD; throughout your generations.”

“Subsequent generations are to be told the story as if the event had happened to them personally so that they could participate in all that God had done for Israel.”[10] This is what God did for His people, those that place their faith in Him are His people.

While they would still memorialize the Passover (meal) in the years to come – the crossing of the Jordan ended 40 years of wandering. There is a God who was the God of a group of freed slaves – their power was not in their might, but in the God who goes before them.

God does not want them to forget – God brought them out of slavery, God split open the Jordan and held back it’s waters. It was the mighty hand of God that was with them. But there will come a day, when they will forget and think that all their success was because of their own strength, wisdom, and ability.

We must never forget that we were once slaves.

 The Passover meal where a lamb was slain and it’s blood shed over the doorposts of their homes, was forever linked to their entrance into the promised land. They were slaves, but now they are free. They had no home, but now they dwell in the presence of God. They had no power, but now the power of God goes before them, and he is their God.

“When the crossing has been completed and the people had established their camp, their first act was to erect the alter of the twelve stones which had been carried by the representatives of the twelve tribes.”[11] They must recognize the God who did this, and worship Him. He is worthy to be praised.

(v. 21) “And he said to the people of Israel” – The memorial has to be explained.[12] There was a design and plan to the miracle that the people experienced. God instructs Joshua to teach the people – when people ask, “what do these stones mean” there should be an explanation. God has done a powerful work in their midst – so He explains to them, when you tell the world what happened, tell them this. God expects His people to respond to the questions of the world.

God does His part, the leadership does their part, and the people do their part.

(v. 24) “so that all the peoples of the earth may know” – God’s blessing for this nation, was intended to be shared with all the nations. God’s mighty hand, His works, were to be shared with the nations. God’s memorial stones point the world to Him, they tell what He has done. “. . . the account is written not only for the benefit of Joshua’s contemporaries, but also, has in mind those who at a much later time, and often under much different circumstances, would need this reminder of God’s might acts.”[13]

The ultimate reason for the memorial stones was so, “that you may fear the LORD your God forever.” You here is indicating God’s people, but the context also means the entire world. God did a work among one group of people, but it was for all the people of the earth. Also, the peoples of the earth are to fear the Lord forever. The fear of the Lord was to shared, explained, and transferred from one generation to the next, to the next, forever.

Later at the beginning of chapter five, the enemies of Israel just gave up before they even struck a single blow, “their hearts melted.” “It was useless to try to stop the onward march of a nation who is led by God.”

When Jesus was crucified and laid in the tomb, you can put a massive stone over the entrance, you can double the guard, and you can seal it with the emperor’s signature, but you are not going to stop what God is doing. Matthew 27:65-66 “Pilate said to them, “You have a guard of soldiers. Go, make it as secure as you can.” 66 So they went and made the tomb secure by sealing the stone and setting a guard.” Jesus rose from the dead anyway.

In the upcoming chapters in Joshua the reader is introduced to Rahab when spies are sent in. She explains to the spies that “as soon as we heard it, hour hearts melted, and there was no spirit left in any man because of you, for the LORD your God, he is God in the heavens above and on the earth beneath” (Joshua 2:11). It was her fear of the Lord and hear the mighty deeds that the Lord had done, that caused her to place her faith in that God.

Everyone who the Lord has saved is a memorial stone, and we are commanded to tell of His mighty works that He has done in our lives. When we do, the people’s hearts of the world will melt before us. God does His part, leadership does their part, and the people do their part – tell of the wonders of God.

_______________________

[1] George Arthur Buttrick, The Interpreter’s Bible, Volume 2 (Nashville, Tennessee; Abingdon Press, 1982) 568.

[2] J. Alberto Soggin, The Old Testament Library, Joshua A Commentary (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Westminster Press, 1972) 65.

[3] Martin H. Woudstra, The Book of Joshua (Grand Rapids, Michigan; William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1981)  91.

[4] Woudstra, 92.

[5] Frank E. Gaebelein, General Editor, The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, Volume 3 (Grand Rapids, Michigan; Zondervan Publishing, 1992) 269.

[6] C. F. Keil and F. Delitzsch, Commentary on the Old Testament in Ten Volumes, Volume 2 (Grand Rapids, Michigan; William b. Eerdsmans Publishing Co., reprinted 1984) 50.

[7] J. Gordan Harris, New International Biblical Commentary, Joshua, Judges, Ruth (Peabody, Massachusetts; Hendrickson Publishers, 2003) 37.

[8] Martin H. Woudstra, 94.

[9] C. F. Keil and F. Delitzsch, 51.

[10] Frank E. Gaebelein, 272.

[11] Buttrick, 571.

[12] C. F. Keil and F. Delitzsch, 52.

[13] Martin H. Woudstra, 95.

The Fundamentals of Our Faith; What We Believe Sermon Series “We Believe that Jesus Will Return” Miscellaneous Verses

The Fundamentals of Our Faith;

What We Believe Sermon Series

“We Believe that Jesus Will Return”

Miscellaneous Verses

 Introduction

“Both the Old and the New Testament contend that history is moving to a climax and that the sovereign God is in control.”[1]

In the Bible, God has revealed many things about the end of time. But if we don’t believe what God has revealed about the future, we may be fearful or depressed at the evil in the world, wondering how good can ever triumph. We may also, be tempted to live a sinful lifestyle, not believing that you will ever be held accountable for our actions. Also, if you don’t have heaven to look forward to, you may have little reason for joy in life and you lose a major reason for hanging in there when the going gets tough.

Bible prophecy matters the most, when things are the worst. It tells us that God is going to make everything all right, that justice may seem deferred but will not be denied, that the good and gracious purposes for which God created the world will all be fulfilled.

Bible prophecy helps us get a glimpse of the certainties of God’s future so that we may live wisely, righteously, passionately, and boldly today. If we know with certainty that Jesus is returning, then we will constantly be asking the question, 2 Peter 3:11 “what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness. . .”

Prayer

Prophecy and End Times (A Few Things To Consider)

 There is considerable disagreement among Christians regarding the end of time (the rapture, the millennium), nevertheless, among those who believe that the whole Bible is the inspired word of God, there are a number of things which we can all agree:

  1. Jesus is coming again, and when He does, God will set all things right. In the end all will be well for God’s people. In the meantime, we must live in light of His return.
  2. Jesus is the ultimate focal point of all prophecy. The Old Testament looked forward to His coming; the New Testament looked back at His coming; unfulfilled prophecy looks forward to His coming again.
  3. Holiness should be the end result of prophecy. The Bible was not given merely to satisfy our curiosity, but to tell us how to live.
  4. We must be personally committed to the Great Commission. If the end is coming, must we not warn others?
  5. God is sovereign, and, in spite of seeming evidence to the contrary, is guiding history to a meaningful conclusion, just as He said He would.[2]

Terms To Understand Regarding the End of Time (Nine Terms)

The first appearance of Christ is the nativity and his 3-year ministry on the earth. “at the second coming of Christ, he will come as the Reigning King: Isa. 9:6-7 “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, . . .”

Acts 1:10-11 “And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, 11 and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”

When we discuss the end of time there are some key terms that we need to know and understand:

The Second Coming: this is the return of Jesus to the earth at an unknown time in the future, John 14:3 “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.”

The Rapture: this is the sudden departure of all Christians to meet Christ in the air (1 Thess. 4:16-17). For more on this topic click here.

The millennium: This refers to a period of time in which Christ reigns on earth in righteousness (Rev. 20:1-10).

The Great Tribulation: this is a period of time in which there will be unprecedented suffering (Mark 13:19). “Satan’s longtime and persistent opposition to God’s work will accelerate to an extreme and be seen by all.”[3]

The Antichrist: This person embodies evil and is the key agent of Satan’s resistance to the plan of God in the last days (1 John 2:18-22). “Satan will empower the Antichrist to act supernaturally with a view to deceiving and persuading men.” Those that oppose him will face trouble so great that unless God shortened the days no one would survive (Matt. 24:21-22).

The judgment seat of Christ: this is the place where all Christians will receive their reward for the quality of their life on earth (2 Cor. 5:10). “This is a judgment, not for destiny, but for adjustment, for reward or loss, according to our works, for position in the kingdom: every man according as his work shall be.”[4]

The great white throne judgment: this is the place where all who have rejected God receive punishment for their unbelief and their life on earth (Rev. 20:11-15). “The purpose of the final judgment will not be to ascertain the quality of an individual’s character, but rather to disclose his character and to assign him to the eternal place corresponding to what he is because of his trust or lack of trust in God.”[5]

 Hell: this is the ultimate destination of all people who did not truly believe in God and commit their lives to Him (Matt. 10:28).[6] “The word translated “hell” in the NT comes from the Greek word Gehenna. It is derived from the name of the valley of Hinnom, located just south of Jerusalem, which was a city garbage dump that burned twenty-four hours a day every day.

In this dreadful place, human sacrifices were once offered to the god Molech (2 Kings 23:10). It was used as a burial for criminals and for burning garbage. It came to be a metaphor for the everlasting state of the unsaved.”[7]

The literal truth behind the horrible imagery created by the prophetic language is that hell is a place or profound misery where the unsaved are separated from the presence of God forever and suffer whatever is the opposite of God and heaven for eternity. The unsaved will be cast from God’s presence forever, without any hope of restoration experiencing an eternity of no peace, no love, no joy, no fellowship.

Hell is a place described as everlasting fire (Mark 9:43; Matt. 25:41). It is spoken of as a lake of burning sulfur (Rev. 20:10). It is a place of darkness (Matt. 8:12). It is described as a place of eternal punishment and torment (Rev. 14:10-11). “If figurative language is involved, it is obviously symbolic of something so awful no one in his right mind could be indifferent to avoiding it.”[8]

Jude 13 “. . . for whom the gloom of utter darkness has been reserved forever.”

Some tend to shy away from these descriptions of hell by holding to annihilation (where we cease to exist at some point), or that over a period of time someone will cease to be in hell, but the same word, eternal, is used to describe both punishment and life. Matthew 25:46 “And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”

God’s justice requires that sin be punished. Your sin must be punished – in His grace He provided through Jesus’ death on the cross the way for a person to be freed from that punishment (Jesus took the full brunt of God’s wrath against sin).

But a person is not made to receive this gift, he is presented with a choice – just as Adam and Even in the Garden were presented the choice to honor and obey God. But we only have the few days on this planet to make the choice – we are locked into our state in eternity (saved or lost, righteous or unrighteous). Therefore, God does not send anyone to hell – each person chooses it when they reject Christ’s gift of salvation.

Heaven: this is the ultimate destination of all people who truly believe in God and committed their lives to Him (Acts 1:9-10). Heaven is where God is. It is a place of rest (Heb. 4:9), of glory (2 Cor. 4:17, or purity (Rev. 21:27), or worship (Rev. 19:1), of fellowship with others (Heb. 12:23), and of being with God (Rev. 21:3).

Revelation 21:3-4 “And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. 4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”

The Bible uses the word heaven in different ways. One is in reference to creation, or the entire universe. Genesis 1:1 “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” Jesus said in Matthew 5:18, “For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished.”

Another way the Bible uses the word heaven is a synonym for God. When the prodigal son confesses his sin to his father, he says, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you” Luke 15:18. When Jesus questions the Pharisees, “The baptism of John, from where did it come? From heaven or from man?” Matthew 21:25.

The third way heaven is used, is to indicate where God lives. Jesus instructed the disciples to pray, “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name” (Matthew 6:9). Angels come from and return to heaven, and dwell in heaven.[9] They are also referred to as the heavenly host.

Heaven is also the ultimate place where followers of Christ will end up. Jesus even went to heaven to prepare a place for those that follow Him, John 14:2-3 “In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.”

Heaven is also a place where believers can store up treasure now, “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.” Matt. 6:19-20.

Heaven is also the place where, as children of God, they receive their inheritance. 1 Peter 1:4-5 “. . . to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you,”

Believers will receive crowns – the crown of life (James 1:12), the crown of glory (1 Peter 5:4), and the crown of righteousness (2 Tim. 4:8). Those who have been won for Christ through our witness become our crown of rejoicing (1 Thess. 2:19).

Eventually, those around the thrown of God will cast their crowns before the Lord. Revelation 4:11 “They cast their crowns before the throne, saying, “Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.”

Also, everything in heaven will be new, 2 Peter 3:10, 13 All that we know in this world will be burned “But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed. . . But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.”

God’s kingdom will be established when Philippians 2:10-11 “so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

It’s hard for us to comprehend heaven in all its’ glory, but John Newton once said in his song Amazing Grace, “When we’ve been there ten thousand years Bright shining as the sun, We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise Than when we first begun.”

Ultimately, heaven is intended to be a word that helps us understand that it is where the presence of God dwells, and that those that place their faith in the Son of God, Jesus will have an rightful place with Him there (an inheritance, a job there, a special name will be revealed, gathered treasure, a place for you to dwell, etc.)

All of this revolves around a relationship – “God’s intention from the beginning, to have fellowship with man, led first to his creating the human race, then to his dwelling in the tabernacle and temple, then to his coming in the incarnation, and finally to his taking humans to be with him (heaven).”[10]

______________________

[1] Paul E. Little, Know What You Believe, A Practical Discussion of the Fundamentals of the Christian Faith (Colorado Springs, Colorado; Cook Communications, 1999) 137.

[2] Anders, 172.

[3] Little, 140.

[4] Little, 146, quote by William Evans.

[5] Little, 146.

[6] Max Anders, New Christian’s Handbook, Everything New Believers Need to Know (Nashville, Tennessee; Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1999) 166.

[7] Anders, 177.

[8] Little, 147.

[9] Matt. 28:2; Luke 22;43; Luke 2:15; Mark 13:32, heavenly host Luke 2:13

[10] Millard Erickson, Christian Theology (Grand Rapids, Michigan; Baker Book House, 1985) 1228.

The Fundamentals of Our Faith; What We Believe Sermon Series “We Believe in the Church” Miscellaneous Verses

The Fundamentals of Our Faith;

What We Believe Sermon Series

“We Believe in the Church”

Miscellaneous Verses

 Introduction

 Reading of the 1972 church bulletin (see scanned copy) 20221019134353550

 Prayer

 What Is the Church?

The New Testament uses the Greek word ekklesia which translated means “an assembly or a group of called out ones who gather for a meeting.” Ekklesia is where we get our English word church. The church then are those whom God has called out, and are gathered together.

So, “according to the NT the church is primarily a body of people who profess and give evidence that they have been saved by God’s grace alone, for his glory alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone.”[1] The church is not a building; the early church did not even have buildings until 300 years later. You don’t go to church, you are the church.

There are two ways of understanding the church – there is the universal church; that is everyone who is a Christian in the world. And then there is the local gatherings of Christians, or the local church.

A local church meets regularly. Hebrews 10:24-25 “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”

The Church is Like a Building

Ephesians 2:19-22 “So then you are no longer strangers and aliens,4 but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. 22 In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.”

Paul gives us the image of each stone in a metaphorical building having a name on it. You are a stone, and I am a stone, and those that we lead to the Lord, are layered on top of us – each generation, layer upon layer building up the kingdom.

The Church is Like a Bride

The church is described as the bride of Christ. Ephesians 5:22-23 “Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. 23 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.” This passage teaches that the sacrificial love of Jesus for his people is to be reflected in a husband’s love for his wife. The submission of the church to Jesus is to be reflected in a wife’s submission to her husband.

“Jesus identifies himself as the Bridegroom when he asked why his disciples don’t fast (Mark 2:19), and he tells parables about a wedding feast to describe his coming kingdom (Matt. 22:1-14; 25:1-13). Paul says that the mystery of marriage is about Christ and the church (Eph. 2:22-33).

Believers are depicted as pure virgins (Rev. 14:4), and when Jesus returns for his people, the multitude announces that the marriage of the Lamb has come and the bride has made herself ready (Rev. 19:7).”[2] Therefore, as the bride of Christ, the church should not commit adultery with the world, and would be faithful to Christ alone.

The Church is Like a Body

Paul talks about marriage and how it refers to Christ and the church (Eph. 5:32) immediately follows his quote of Genesis 2:24, declaring that man and woman become one flesh in marriage (Eph. 5:31). There is a special, unique bond, a relationship, between a husband and wife who are faithful to each other. This is the image Paul gives for the relationship between Christ and the church.

The apostle Paul’s favorite picture for the church was the body. It is the metaphor of the body that communicates unity of the church. Colossians 3:15 “And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body.” 1 Corinthians 12:27 “Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.” The emphasis of both of these passages is on the relationship the members of the body have with one another.

Paul emphasizes that the body of Christ must have unity. Paul uses the Lord’s Supper in 1 Cor. 10:16-17 as an example of the unity the church body has – It is an expression of the oneness. “There can be little doubt that Paul intends to emphasize the kind of bonding relationship of the worshippers with one another that the meal expresses.”[3] Baptism is also an expression of unity with a local body of believers as a picture of a person’s having already placed their faith in Christ (1 Cor. 12:13).

Within the Body of Christ there is also unity in diversity. Romans 12:4-5 and 1 Corinthians 12:14-20 are very similar messages: many members, but one body; diversity of gifts, but one body. In this passage, Paul also reminds the church that it is only a supernatural power common to life in Christ that allows them to overcome natural divisions they find themselves in (Greek, Jew, slave, free, male, female, etc.)

With regard to our essential beliefs – we have unity. Ephesians 4:4-16 “There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” (ex. Trinity)

In non-essential beliefs – we have liberty. Rom.14:1, 4, 12, 22 “Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters … Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls… So then each of us will give an account of himself to God … So whatever you believe about things keep between yourself and God.” (ex. End Times timelines)

In all our beliefs – we show love. 1 Cor. 13:2 “And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.”

What Does the Church Do?

In Acts 2 we see that “the Christians in the first century “continued . . . in fellowship”; they “were togther.” They took care of each other, whenever anyone had need. They continued “with one accord.” They [broke] bread from house to house.” They lived as part of each other’s lives.”[4]

The ministry of the church is a process of the building up of the body. Ephesians 4:12, 16 says that the church leadership’s job is to “to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, . . . v. 16 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.”

The church makes disciples. We are all different in our gifting, calling, life experiences, and passions – but as we all grow in the Lord, together, as a unified body of Christ we build the kingdom of God. Our spiritual gifts were not given for us to use individually in separate efforts to make disciples, or for our own benefit.

The command given to us, to make disciples, is in the context of the church and together everyone working together, make disciples. We need each other the way the head needs the neck to support it.

Romans 12:4-5 “For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, 5 so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.” Notice that we do not become the body of Christ when we decide to work together, we are the body of Christ whether we work together or not. Therefore, we can choose to be dysfunctional by working against each other, or we can be effective disciple makers by working together.[5]

If we go back to Acts 2:42-47, it gives us a snapshot of what the church should look like; what it should be doing “And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.”

“These churches gather to act in a variety of ways. They gather to worship (Acts 13:2-3; 1 Cor. 14:23ff.), which seems to include prayer (Acts 12:5; 13:3; 14:23), reading of Scripture (Col. 4:16; 1 Tim. 4:13), teaching from the leaders (Acts 20:28-31; Eph. 4:11; 1 Tim. 3:2), the Lord’s Supper (1 Cor. 11:18ff.). They enjoy fellowship within the local assembly and with other local churches (Rom. 16:16). The church serves widows and the needy (1 Tim. 5:16; 1 Cor. 16:1). Believers are involved in spreading the gospel, both personally (Acts 8:2-4) and through those sent by the church (Acts 13:2-3).”[6]

 Who Leads the Church?

The local church is to be led by qualified leaders, according to the Scriptures. The NT uses several terms that reference the leaders within a church. “Elder (presbyteros) is the term used most often (Acts 14:23; 15:2,22), but bishop or overseer (episkopos) is also found (Acts 20:28; Phil. 1:1), along with deacon (1 Tim. 3:8). The most commonly used term among Baptists today, pastor, is used only once Eph. 4:11.”[7]

Jesus’ favorite description of the church was a flock of sheep (John 10:1-30, Matt.26:31, Matt. 25:33). Therefore, it is cared for and led by a shepherd. John 21:16-17 “He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” 17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.”

1 Pet. 5:1-2 has the three roles in one verse showing what a church leader does, “So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: 2 shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight,” so does,

Acts 20:17-18, 28 “Now from Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called the elders of the church to come to him. 18 And when they came to him, he said to them: “You yourselves know how I lived among you the whole time from the first day that I set foot in Asia, . . . Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood.”[8]

The word for elder is emphasizing the qualifications that church leadership is to have, pastor/teacher emphasizes their care for the flock, and the word for overseer refers to their having administrative oversight.

 In Acts 6 we see where deacons emerged as a leadership office in the church, “Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution.” So, Deacons are to look after the physical needs of the congregation (Acts 6:1-16) qualifications for deacons is given in 1 Timothy 3:8-13. Both of these leadership offices must meet the qualifications set down in Scripture.

 Why Join A Church?

The Bible is very clear that we are not to live out our Christian faith alone. Our walk with the Lord is not just isolated spiritual disciplines that we work on (prayer, Bible study, serving others, etc.)

Followers of Jesus are to be baptized, and regularly celebrate the Lord’s Supper – these are two examples of things we do as a group. Millard Erickson said, “Christianity is a corporate matter, and the Christian life can be fully realized only in relationship with others.”[9]

“Church membership is a crucial topic for understanding what Christ is calling us to as his disciples. Joining a church will not save us anymore than our good works, education, culture, friendships, financial contributions, or baptism will save us. Non-Christians should not seek to join a church, but to learn more about what it means to be a Christian.”[10]

“This is my church. It is composed of people just like me. It will be friendly if I am. It will do a great work if I work. It will make generous gifts to many causes if I am generous. It will bring others into its fellowship if I bring them. Its seats will be filled if I fill them. It will be a church of loyalty and love, of faith and service. If I who make it what it is, am filled with these, Therefore, with God’s help, I dedicate myself to the task of being all these things I want my church to be.”[11]

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[1] Mark Dever, Nine Marks of a Healthy Church (Wheaton, Illinois; Crossway Publishing, 2021) 123.

[2] James M. Hamilton, What is Biblical Theology? A Guide to the Bible’s Story, Symbolism, and Patterns (Wheaton, Illinois, Crossway Publishing, 2014) 100.

[3] Gordon Fee, The First Epistle to the Corinthians, The New International Commentary on the New Testament, ed. F.F. Bruce (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1987), 466 (from Hammett, 38).

[4] Max Anders, New Christian’s Handbook, Everything New Believers Need to Know (Nashville, Tennessee; Thomas Nelson Publishing, 1999) 150.

[5] Anders, 141.

[6] Hammett, 29.

[7] John S. Hammett, Biblical Foundations for Baptist Churches, A Contemporary Ecclesiology (Grand Rapids, Michigan; Kregel Publications, 2005) 28.

[8] See also Titus 1:5-7, 1 Tim. 5:17

[9] Millard Erickson, Christian Theology (2nd. Ed. Grand Rapids, Michigan; Baker Publishing, 1998) 1058.

[10] Dever, 125.

[11] https://ministry127.com/resources/illustration/this-is-my-church

"For by grace you have been saved through faith." Ephesians 2:8

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