(Hint: it’s not the Nina, Pinta, Santa Maria, and Titanic).
Just what, or who, is the Body of Christ?
For even as the body is one and yet has many members, and all the members of the body, though they are many, are one body, so also is Christ. For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit. For the body is not one member, but many. If the foot says, "Because I am not a hand, I am not a part of the body," it is not for this reason any the less a part of the body. And if the ear says, "Because I am not an eye, I am not a part of the body," it is not for this reason any the less a part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole were hearing, where would the sense of smell be? But now God has placed the members, each one of them, in the body, just as He desired ...Now you are Christ's body, and individually members of it. I Corinthians 12:12-27
Is Church for Sinners or Saints?
How do you view the purpose of church? Here I am using the word "church" as the time when the Body is gathered together in our church buildings. Typically this is on Sunday morning. I think many Christians see the church as a Hospital. There are sick people out there (the unsaved) that need to be made well (saved). They are brought to the hospital (church building) by ambulance drivers (church members) who are trained on how to bring them in. The hospital hires medical specialists in different areas (pastors) to heal the sick people (minister and save them). The sick people after being healed (saved) by the professionally trained medical specialists are then sent out to bring other sick people into the hospital. Hospitals (church services) are designed for the sick (unsaved), not the well (saved).
So, what should church look like then? I would like to submit an idea. What if we treated church more like a teaching hospital instead? Medical students (Christians) are taught (discipled) how the human body (Body of Christ) operates and functions (ministers and grows). Through this training and observation time (Sunday School, Small Group times, Bible Studies, Sermons, mission trips, community service projects, etc…), they acquire the experience and skills to practice their profession (ministering and evangelizing) in the real world, everyday. Teaching hospitals (what I feel church should be more like) are primarily a place for those who are well (saved), and want to become medical specialists (mature Christians and ministers) to serve the sick (unsaved) wherever they encounter them (the world, across the globe and next door).
The Four Ships
They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles. And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common; and they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need. Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved. Acts 2:37-47
I think based on this verse we can draw some conclusions...
Believers when GATHERED together practice the Four "Ships”:
Believers when GATHERED together practice the Four "Ships”:
DISCIPLESHIP
FELLOWSHIP
STEWARDSHIP
WORSHIP
Discipleship - The believers were "continually devoting themselves to the apostle's teaching" and "continuing with one mind in the temple." The temple refers to the courtyard of the temple where many times Jesus was found teaching. The disciples kept to this practice of going to the temple courtyard to teach and be discipled.
Fellowship - The believers were also continually "devoting themselves to...fellowship." They practiced the "breaking of bread" together, which is observing the Lord's Supper, or Communion. The word Communion and fellowship are the same Greek word (Koine). They were described as "being together and had all things in common (Koine). They were even "taking their meals together", perhaps the first church potluck suppers.
Stewardship - The believers were "selling their property and possessions and sharing them with all, as anyone might have need." They were meeting the needs of their neighbors by utilizing what God had provided to them.
Worship - The believers "kept feeling a sense of awe," and were "praising God." The right response of a Christian is worship of the God of the universe who is worthy of praise.
Believers when APART are to go into the world and be the salt and light by engaging in EVANGELISM and MINISTRY.
The believers when apart, out in the world, were to practice spreading the gospel of the good news of Christ. This is EVANGELISM, which is telling others about God’s love. Good News - Evangelism is the Greek word Euangelion which translates basically as "a good message." The Gospel is the best message you can get. This is also part of the Great Commission, the task we have been given. To go into all the world and preach the Gospel, the Good News, that is Christ crucified IN OUR PLACE for our sins, to deliver us from death and back into a good standing with God. To be the salt and the light to a lost and dying world. Preserving those that are perishing, and providing a light to those in utter darkness. Performing acts of service and ministry to show a lost and dying world the love of the One True God.
Fellowship - The believers were also continually "devoting themselves to...fellowship." They practiced the "breaking of bread" together, which is observing the Lord's Supper, or Communion. The word Communion and fellowship are the same Greek word (Koine). They were described as "being together and had all things in common (Koine). They were even "taking their meals together", perhaps the first church potluck suppers.
Stewardship - The believers were "selling their property and possessions and sharing them with all, as anyone might have need." They were meeting the needs of their neighbors by utilizing what God had provided to them.
Worship - The believers "kept feeling a sense of awe," and were "praising God." The right response of a Christian is worship of the God of the universe who is worthy of praise.
Believers when APART are to go into the world and be the salt and light by engaging in EVANGELISM and MINISTRY.
The believers when apart, out in the world, were to practice spreading the gospel of the good news of Christ. This is EVANGELISM, which is telling others about God’s love. Good News - Evangelism is the Greek word Euangelion which translates basically as "a good message." The Gospel is the best message you can get. This is also part of the Great Commission, the task we have been given. To go into all the world and preach the Gospel, the Good News, that is Christ crucified IN OUR PLACE for our sins, to deliver us from death and back into a good standing with God. To be the salt and the light to a lost and dying world. Preserving those that are perishing, and providing a light to those in utter darkness. Performing acts of service and ministry to show a lost and dying world the love of the One True God.
They were also to practice MINISTRY, which is showing others God's love. Good works - the Greek word ministry comes from is Diakonos which means to serve. The verses say "many signs and wonders were taking place." It is by serving others that we show them God's ultimate love for them. Signs and wonders were being performed by the Apostles in order to minister to the people (cast out demons, heal the sick and lame, return sight and hearing) but, also these signs and wonders were drawing the unsaved to the Lord.
When they heard this, they came under deep conviction and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles: “Brothers, what must we do?” “Repent,” Peter said to them, “and be baptized, each of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and for your children, and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God will call.” And with many other words he testified and strongly urged them, saying, “Be saved from this corrupt generation!” Acts 2:37-40
Continually devoting themselves to prayer
The verses state that the disciples were continually devoted to prayer. So, we also should PRAY without ceasing. As one person put it “prayer is like breathing, without it you suffocate”. Prayer for a Christian should be like breathing…it should be natural, continual, and without forced thought. Deep “breaths” of prayer should be taken when you are stressed, angry, scared, worried, or being taxed or pushed to your limits physically.
Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
