Terry wrote: > Try to get over the idea that the Church is a > small or large organization. It is neither > It is a living organism
I hear where you are coming from, Terry, but there is something about this organism called church that is defineable. The word church is found in the plural quite often in Scripture. I cannot read Rev. 2 & 3 and not see that Jesus perceives several defined churches there. You didn't comment about my remark about the Temple Menorah, having one root, but many branches. This is the imagery of Revelation concerning the churches. Notice that to the church of Ephesus, Jesus threatens to remove its candlestick (Rev. 2:5). Doesn't that mean that this church had autonomy from the other churches? Doesn't it mean that this organism called the church is more defineable than simply saying it is all the believers upon the face of the earth? How can you read about these 7 churches and not see different problems and different strengths? How can you read how Jesus deals with his churches here and not recognize that there exist different churches with different strengths and different weaknesses? One consideration about the church is its sphere of operation. Is it the whole world? Is it the nation in which it exists? Is it the county? The city? I think Scripture is consonant with the idea that the city defines geographical the sphere of operation for the church. The city is the smallest political unit, and it seems that perhaps this is what is meant by passages that speak about the WHOLE CHURCH. We read about the "whole church" referring to the saints in Jerusalem in Acts 15:22 and this same phrase appears to refer to the saints in Corinth in 1 Cor. 14:23. Acts 11:26 refers to Paul and Barnabas assembling with the church in Antioch in Acts 11:26. This church seems to have distinction from the church in Jerusalem and other cities. It sure seems to me that the Holy Spirit has something in mind about church that is different than the idea that Christ's church is simply all those in the world who believe in Christ. Peace be with you. David Miller. ---------- "Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer every man." (Colossians 4:6) http://www.InnGlory.org If you do not want to receive posts from this list, send an email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] and you will be unsubscribed. If you have a friend who wants to join, tell him to send an e-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] and he will be subscribed.
