THE CHURCH

What is a Church?

The church as a “Term” has different meaning based on the ideology individuals in the Society has framed i to be, but it’s important we describe the church according to the scripture because God’s word is our template as Christians and therefore we must be able to present to the world, the true definition of the church from God’s perspective.
However, we will state the notion or view some persons in our present world has described the church in order to be able to know how to correct any misguided ideology about the church.
The Church is commonly described as a building designed specifically for the gathering of Christians to render worship to God. It is basically seen as a sacred building constructed for a particular purpose which must not be defaulted.
In relation to this description, it shows that the church in this sense is seen as a “building” physically constructed to accommodate individuals who come to render their worship and offerings to God. In as much this is not fully disapproved, it is necessary we have a balance truth about the actual purpose for the institution of the church. The church was instituted in order to point out God’s plan for Christains.
The notion that the church is just a building has to be corrected because a building can deteriorate or become demolished, which means that the place of worship to God was intended actually to be built in our hearts, although there is no doubt that the church is a building but this is to draw to our attention that the church in the real sense is our body which seen as a place of worship to accommodate God’s presence- just as it was stated in 1 Corinthians 3:16 “Know ye not that you are the temple of God and that the spirit of God dwelleth in you”. This describes that we are the embodiment of God’s presence, which shouldn’t be defiled, God doesn’t just reside in a physical building but resides in us who are the “body of Christ”. In simple terms “WE ARE THE CHURCH” in person.
Now lets us narrow down to a definite aspect of the “Church as a divine institution".
At first when we say “Divine” it encapsulates the notion of a “Supreme God” which is our heavenly Father.
The church as a divine institution was created to unite Christians whose mandate is to build a community of believers who will stand for the truth of the gospel.
It’s important we note that an institution is defined as an organization founded and united for a specific purpose.
The church as a divine institution was established by God who is the head of the Church to control the affairs that constitute the church system. Just as stated in Ephesians 5:27 & 29.
“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.
Verse 29; “For no man ever yet hated his own flesh, but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even us the Lord, the Church”.

This illustrates that the church is a master plan constituted by God, Himself who gave us a structured plan on how the church should be coordinated which includes building, shaping and refining the lives of men so they can be presented spotless, without blemish before God.

The church is a divine institution of which God established on earth to promote His kingdom agenda. It is very heart- warming to realise that God is the head of the church who has designed the church in such way, that a community of believers will receive deep truth of the gospel and propagate this gospel to the world at large. This institution is embedded with great vision in as much as God is the head as seen in Colossians 1:18 “and he is the head of the body, the church who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things he might have the pre-eminence.

Let’s point out some few words: “Head of the body”, “Firstborn from the dead” and then “Pre-eminence”. This critically means that Jesus is the head of the church which is the body of Christ and remember we are the temple of God which all constitute the body of Christ. To be the HEAD means to be a decision maker or to be in charge, this brings to our notice that every affair that takes place in the church must be under the leadership of God without any interference to disrupt the purpose of the Church.

The phrase “firstborn from the dead” explains the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead that proves the mystery of salvation. Jesus Christ is the author of our salvation of whom his death and resurrection proves the eminent power of God to bring men from darkness to light and grant men eternal life. The then word "pre-eminence" literally means high status of importance marking superiority. This explains that superiority is placed on definite set of church authorities to oversee the affairs of the church and they are expected to be subjected to the will of God and His directions on how to lead the people which means God still has supreme control over the decisions of these church authorities. This is very key because it shows that in as much as God is head of the Church, He has to pass through men who are ready to be worthy vessels of honour to help pass God’s message to the people.

Also it is very essential to note that the church as a divine institution is a sacred place because it was instituted by God himself as seen in “1 Timothy 3:15” (KJV); “but if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God which is the church of the living God, the pillar of the truth”.
We are the "Church" and our mandate is to spread the truth of the gospel to the world
This is a kingdom mandate we must adhere to!!