M.Sc., Ph.D., M.ASCE
Introduction:
In the modern world what does the word ‘church’ mean to the common man? Every religion in the world has its own place of worship; a place where religious activities take place. For Hindus it is a Temple, for Muslims it is a Mosque, for Sikhs it is a Gurudwara, for Jews it is a Synagogue and for Christians it is a church. That is at least the traditional understanding of the word ‘church’ and that is what a Christian generally means by the word. But does the word ‘Church’ really mean a place of worship? In the Old Testament the Lord God chose a people for Himself and called them Israel. Israel received the ‘Law’ through Moses and they made a tabernacle as per divine instructions; a place where they could gather together for worship as the ‘Law’ required. In course of time Israel’s disobedience resulted first in the division of the kingdom into two; Israel and Judah and then in their captivity; Israel was taken captive by the Assyrians and Judah by the Babylonians. As the story goes in the Bible, Israelis never made it back to their country Israel, but Judah returned after 70 years of exile from Babylon. During their stay in Babylon there was a big change in their worship pattern. The sacrifices in the temple and other requirements of the law were replaced by the weekly gathering in the ‘synagogue’ and reading from the scriptures (the Law and the Prophets as it was popularly called). The same pattern continued in Jesus’ time and ministry, although there was a gap of 400 years between the Old Testament and New Testaments. During the 400 years God did not speak to ‘Israel’ either through dreams and visions or through a prophet. The Jewish nation had also gone through several wars and was under Romans rule at the time of Jesus’ ministry. Jesus came into the world at a time of great expectancy; almost everybody in Israel was earnestly looking to God for a message or a messenger. And Jesus came; in fulfillment of all the prophesies concerning the long awaited Messiah.
Jesus started his ministry by proclaiming, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near” (Mathew 4:17). Earlier John the Baptist had started his ministry the same way proclaiming, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.” (Mathew 3:2) What did both John the Baptist and Jesus mean by ‘the kingdom of heaven’? In Luke’s gospel the same ‘kingdom’ is addressed as the ‘the kingdom of God’ (Like 4:43, 6:20). It is important to understand the ‘kingdom’ in order to understand the ‘Church’.
The ‘Church’ and the ‘Kingdom’
Jesus only ever mentioned the word ‘church’ in Mathew 16 where during a conversation with the disciples, especially with Peter, Jesus said, “And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.” Further describing the role of the church Jesus continued, “I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” (Mathew 16: 18,19) Jesus’ primary intention was to establish the church on a solid foundation – the rock (Jesus Himself), the church would never be overcome by death and the devil – it would always be victorious, the church would receive the keys to the ‘kingdom of heaven’ and the church would engage in the ministry of binding and losing on earth, which would be followed in heaven. The purpose of Jesus’ coming into the world was in fulfillment of many prophecies; one of them uttered by Isaiah said, “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of site for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.’’ (Luke 4: 18, 19) This prophecy outlined the purpose of Jesus’ coming and His ministry; to preach the good news to the poor, to proclaim freedom for the prisoners, and recovery of site for the blind, to release the oppressed, and lastly to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor. Before Jesus’ coming, the world had been robbed of all the freedom and liberty it had enjoyed, at the time of fall. Satan, sickness and death had started ruling. Spiritual poverty, blindness and sinfulness were the peoples’ portion. Jesus’ purpose was to break the yoke and set the prisoners free. For this reason He came and for this reason He died and rose gain. Jesus told the disciples that the purpose of ‘the church’ being established here on earth then was to continue His ministry and open the doors for the world to enter the ‘kingdom’ by binding the activities of the powers of darkness and bringing the grace of God. The church received this ministry simply to work with God and on His behalf by engaging herself in the warfare and bring increase of the ‘kingdom’.
Jesus started His ministry with calling for repentance as the ‘kingdom of heaven’ or ‘kingdom of God’ was near. Then in His first series of teachings, the famous ‘Sermon on the Mount’- The Beatitudes, Jesus taught about the qualities one should have and develop to inherit the ‘kingdom’. (Mathew 5:3, 10) While teaching the disciples how to pray, Jesus encouraged them to pray for the ‘kingdom’ to come. Ending the sermon Jesus warned the disciples saying, “Not everyone who says to me Lord, Lord will enter the ‘kingdom of heaven’ but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven”. (Mathew 7:21).The ‘kingdom’ as a theme was the central point for Jesus; He explained the kind of people who would inherit the ‘kingdom’, taught the disciples to pray for its coming and warned the people to establish a real deep relationship with the Father with whole hearted commitment and obedience in doing His will to be able to enter the ‘kingdom’. The ‘kingdom’ Jesus taught and preached about is very distinct from the ‘church’. The ‘church’ is given a clear cut responsibility for bringing increase to the ‘kingdom’ as the church is given the keys of the ‘kingdom’. Jesus has further explained the nature of ‘kingdom’ by saying, “My kingdom is not of this world……But now my kingdom is from another place” (John 18:36). Jesus Himself being the sum total of the ‘kingdom’ explained its real nature by saying, “the Kingdom is near you” (Luke 10: 9) and again, “The kingdom of God does not come with your careful observation, nor will people say, ‘Here it is’ or ‘There it is’; because the kingdom of God is within you.” (Luke 17: 20b – 21). Actually the ‘kingdom’ was initiated with Jesus’ first coming in the world, but it will be fully established on earth with His 2nd coming.
Jesus also explained the present and future aspects of the ‘kingdom’ by telling many parables in the gospels; especially Mathew’s Gospel chapter 13 the present and future aspects of the ‘kingdom’ and in chapter 24and 25 the future aspect of the ‘kingdom’. With these parables Jesus made two things very clear: 1st – Preaching the good news of the ‘kingdom’ will continue until that ‘Day’; 2nd – On that ‘Day’ Jesus will return to earth with ‘his Father’s’ glory and establish the ‘kingdom’ here. In God’s plan there is a ‘Day’ called ‘that day’ when Jesus will come again. Jesus ushered in the ‘kingdom’ with His coming into the world; preached, taught, lived and demonstrated the ‘kingdom’ life during His ministry. With His second coming on ‘that day’ the ‘Kingdom’ is going to be established on this earth. There is a clear distinction between the ‘Church’ and the ‘Kingdom’; the ‘Kingdom’ encompasses the ‘Church’. The church is here and now within the invisible boundary of the ‘kingdom’. She is commanded to work for the increase of the kingdom but the kingdom in its fullness is going to come and be established on earth with Jesus’ second coming only. There is only one similarity between both the ‘church’ and the ‘kingdom’; both are under God’s sovereign rule.
The New Birth
During Jesus’ ministry there were many instances when He expected the disciples to catch the vision and understand His mission. He wished they could understand His divine nature, His reason for coming into the world, the manifest ‘kingdom’ life, the purpose of signs and wonders, His teachings, his miracles, his transfiguration etc. He wanted the disciples to see their calling, realize their responsibilities, mature in their faith, and prepare themselves for the future; to be able to carry on the ministry Jesus had begun. But they always disappointed Jesus by their lack of understanding and their ignorance. They always demonstrated their selfish desires and craving for power. After their appointment as apostles and their first successful mission in groups of twelve and then seventy two, they experienced success in their ministry as they testified joyfully after their return but this did not last long (Luke 10:17b). Since their calling the disciples heard Jesus teach, witnessed his miracles, watched Jesus walking on the water, went to the Mountain top with Him and witnessed His transformation, saw the dead raised to life but they never understood the ‘kingdom’ Jesus meant by His words and actions. On many occasions they tried to persuade (and at times force) Jesus to become the king of Israel, thinking He had been talking about the restoration of the ‘kingdom’ of Israel. The circumstances today are no different from those of 2000 years ago. The problem that was evident then is still the same. The disciples lived 2000 years ago and we are living now but the level of ignorance about the ‘kingdom’ and the things associated with it is the same. Simply we are not able to see things as Jesus saw them, making it impossible to fully comprehend the ‘kingdom’.
At the beginning of Jesus’ ministry Nicodemus, a Pharisee and a member of the Jewish ruling council, came to Jesus at night for fear of the Jews. As they started their conversation Jesus made it very clear that in order to see the ‘Kingdom of God’ one must be born again. As Nicodemus could not understand what Jesus was talking about, he asked how a man could enter his mother’s womb again to be born the second time. Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit” (John 3:5-7). Even more perplexed Nicodemus asked again, “How can this be?” To this Jesus replied, “You are Israel’s teacher and do you not understand these things? I tell you the truth, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony. I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things? No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven – the son of man” (John 3: 9 – 13).
Nicodemus was a Pharisee – a very learned person, well versed in the scriptures, but he too was not able to comprehend the ‘kingdom’ matters. He could not understand the new birth mystery which was not a mystery at all. Simply as a person needs to be born into this world, one needs to be born again into God’s kingdom (of heaven). As the flesh is associated with natural birth, the Holy Spirit is associated with spiritual birth. By natural birth we start our earthly existence; by spiritual birth we start our heavenly existence. By natural birth we become citizens here on this earth, by spiritual birth we become citizens of heaven. Through natural birth we are recorded here in our country of birth, through spiritual birth our names are recorded in the book of life. As in most countries dual citizenship is not permitted, so it is with the kingdom of heaven. The moment one is born again, born of the Spirit, changed at heart, a person’s citizenship is changed from earthly to heavenly, his name is recorded in the book of life, the heavenly ‘book of birth certificates’.(Philippians 3:20) Hence we are commanded not to walk in the ways of the world. ‘Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will.’ (Rom 12: 2) It was easy for Jesus to know and understand God’s will as He came from Him, but we face difficulty at every step in making choices because we do not fully understand and grasp our new position; our citizenship in heaven. Although we remain and continue on the earth, soon after the new birth we are granted the status of “God’s children” (John 1:12) and even Nicodemus could not see or comprehend this glorious truth. It requires new birth to see (and comprehend) the ‘kingdom’ and it also requires the new birth to enter the ‘kingdom’. In the new birth our spirit is freed by the Holy Spirit from the bondage of our sins through our personal faith in Jesus. The moment we have this experience (not the feeling) our spirit is released from the bondage of sin and becomes active. This freed state of the spirit makes it easy and possible for the Holy Spirit to communicate and impart the ‘kingdom’ truth; and we start ‘seeing’ things that were impossible to comprehend before. (1Cor 2: 9- 12) Before the new birth experience the spirit remains inert, making it impossible to comprehend ‘kingdom’ matters. It was all the time so easy for Jesus to teach the ‘kingdom’ and related issues as He came from above, He knew what it is like there and what he saw as our future. In other words Jesus came from heaven, he demonstrated heaven on earth as he healed the sick, cast out demons, raised the dead, made the lame walk and the blind see; he lived and expressed heavenly love and in short he demonstrated and represented the Father here on earth. He wanted the disciples to see heaven all through his life, but their hearts and minds were full of earthly things!! Despite their ignorance Jesus remained so comfortable with the disciples and Nicodemus because He very well understood them as it is written, “Now while he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Feast, many people saw the miraculous signs he was doing and believed in his name. But Jesus would not entrust himself to them, for he knew all men. He did not need man’s testimony about man, for he knew what was in man.” (John 2: 23- 25)
The ‘Church’
In the Book of Mathew the word ‘church’ is used twice by Jesus, first in chapter 16, when Jesus explained the church’s establishment, her victorious future, responsibility for kingdom growth and specific ministry of prayer in binding and losing; the second incident is in chapter 18, when Jesus was teaching the disciples how to deal with a brother who had sinned. (Mathew 18: 15-17) Jesus talking about the brother said, “…And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector.” (Verse 17) In both the instances the word ‘church’ meant the group of believers, the congregation and not the building where the believers meet, as it is traditionally understood.
The Greek word translated as ‘church’ in the New Testament is ‘Ecclesia’. The Old Testament equivalent word is used for the ‘congregation’ of Israel. However in the New Testament its main use is to describe an assembly or company of Christians meaning: the whole body of Christians, or a local church constituting a company of Christians gathering for worship, sharing and teaching or churches in some district. Other related terms are ‘chosen race’ and ‘God’s people’. ‘Church’ never conveys the idea of a building or a place of worship. A mosque, a temple or a gurudwara is a place of gathering for people of a particular religion to perform their religious rituals, but not so with the ‘church’; the ‘church’ is the people, the assembly or the congregation. It is therefore very important that the concept, understanding and traditional use of the word ‘church’ be renewed and meaningful change in common thinking be brought in.
Beginning of the Church
After Jesus fulfilled His ministry He was crucified by order of Pilate, the Roman Officer in Jerusalem, as demanded by the Jews. He died, was buried and rose again the third day. Jesus appeared to the disciples for a period of 40 days after his resurrection, talking about the ‘Kingdom of God’ and then one day He was taken up into heaven before their very eyes. (Acts 1: 3, 9) Before His ascension, ‘On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 1: 4)
It is astonishing to discover the disciples’ spiritual blindness even at this point, after spending more than 40 days with Jesus in his heavenly body (like an angel’s)! They had no clue what Jesus was talking about and “… when they met together, they asked him, ‘Lord are you at this time going to restore the kingdom of Israel?’” Jesus again ignoring their lack of understanding “… said to them: It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by His own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1: 6-8) It is not an earthly ‘kingdom’ but a heavenly one; not the ‘kingdom’ of Israel but the kingdom of God. The Holy Spirit, the gift of the Father, after His coming was to give every believer the power to witness, starting from Jerusalem progressing through the region, nations and to the ends of the earth.
As promised the Holy Spirit came on the day of Pentecost. The disciples had a phenomenal experience; “All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them” (Acts 2: 4). As the onlookers, God fearing Jews from so many countries who had gathered in Jerusalem to participate in the feast, heard the disciples speaking in so many different languages; “Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, ‘What does this mean?’ Some, however, made fun of them and said, ‘They have had too much wine’ (Acts 2: 12, 13). In response to the crowd’s ignorance Peter, full of the Holy Spirit, explained the prophesies and their fulfillment in Jesus’ death and resurrection and then the coming of the Holy Spirit. At the end of Peter’s first sermon, ‘Those who accepted his message (confessed and repented of their sins and received Jesus as their savior) were baptized and about three thousand were added to their number that day.’ (Acts 2: 41) This group of believers had started their fellowship together with the apostles. ‘They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.’ (Acts 2: 42) They had experienced complete and dramatic change with their new birth – the working in of the Holy Spirit, which brought change in their attitude, outlook and priorities. This newness was evident in their lifestyle and their active faith which was causing enormous impact on society bringing salvation and spontaneous change of heart. ‘Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Every day they continued to meet together in temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.’ (Acts 2: 43 – 47) The community of believers continued to grow in numbers and so did grace of God. In a very short period of time the number of men grew to about five thousand (Acts 4: 4); ‘In those days when the number of disciples was increasing…’ (Acts 6: 1) and ‘So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.’ (Acts 6:7). The community of believers in Jerusalem continued to grow but it is surprising to note that they were addressed as ‘they’, ‘their number,’ ‘number of men’, ‘these men ’, ‘ the believers’ etc. It was only after the death of Ananias and Sapphira when the whole congregation was together and awe struck, it was addressed as ‘church’ for the first time, “Great fear seized the whole church and all who heard about these events” (Acts 5:11). The believers had been the ‘church’ ever since they had put their faith in Jesus and were saved on the day of Pentecost, but it took quite some time to bring in the change in their mind and realize they were no more Jews or Gentiles or the group (separated by their salvation) but the ‘church’!! The new identification of the disciples and the believers whether Jews or Gentiles had taken quite some time to be understood and established.
Church: Mystery Revealed
The church then faced internal problems and seven deacons were chosen and prayed for with laying on of hands. As the church grew, opposition started resulting in persecution of the church, martyrdom of Stephen and dispersion of the believers. Saul being the main element of the incident, planned to further extend his campaign to Damascus. But on his way he had a dramatical encounter with Jesus, was revealed the truth, received Him as savior and in a moment he was changed to a different person (Ref. Acts 8 and 9). Saul was changed to Paul; as his name was changed so was his heart. Paul’s conversion was a turning point, for himself and for the church history.
The Divine intervention in Saul’s life, his conversion and calling as ‘least of the apostles’ was for a purpose. As he was not disobedient to the vision from heaven (Acts 26: 19) the Lord used him as a chosen vessel and the Holy Spirit revealed Paul the mysteries of the ‘church’ and the ‘kingdom’ Jesus earlier had talked about. Paul writing about the revelations said, ‘…I will go on to visions and revelations from the Lord. I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven. Whether it was in the body or out of the body I do not know – God knows. And I know that this man – whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know but God knows – was caught up to paradise. He heard inexpressible things, things that man is not permitted to tell’. (2Cor12: 1-4). Later on in his letter to Ephesians Paul shared the many mysteries that were revealed to him; 1. the Mystery of His will – ‘that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times, He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth – in Him’ (Eph.1:9,10); 2. Mystery of Christ – (…that the gentiles should be fellow heirs, of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ through the gospel’ (Eph. 3:4, 6); and 3. Mystery of the church – ‘…and to make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who created all things through Jesus Christ; to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places.’ (Eph. 3:9, 10). Paul was also revealed the fullness of Christ, the church as His body and he wrote in the same letter ‘And God placed all things under his (Christ’s) feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.’ (Eph. 1: 22, 23). Paul was revealed Christ in His fullness; and he described a. Christ being appointed as the head of the church, b. the church as His body – His fullness, c. Christ as the one filling everything in every way.
Church: His Body and His Fullness
There are other references where the church is defined as body of Christ. In 1 Corinthians 12 while explaining different gifts of the Holy Spirit Paul has compared it with a human body. In human body there are different parts and every part is assigned its individual function; Church is the same. As the body is made of many parts, the church is made of many members. As one part cannot make a body, one member cannot make a church. As every part of the body needs to work in order to keep the body healthy, functioning, and successful, so it is in the church; every believer operating in their assigned gifts and ministries keeps the church going, achieving the goal set out by Christ the Head. In the physical body the parts are clear with individual assignments and work in harmony. It ought to be the same in the church, but it is not so practically. The difficulty is every member is an individual fully capable and inclined to operate independently. Every member in the church need to recognize (discern) their place in the body, the church and operate accordingly. They need time to grow in the fellowship, mature and find out individual calling, gifting and ministry by the help of the Holy Spirit. As every part in the body works in harmony under head’s direction, so should the members in the church.
Jesus began His ministry two thousand years back. He taught, preached, healed and performed all the signs and miracles. Alone He did everything. He then chose the twelve disciples and wished they caught the vision. He loved them and put up with all their human weaknesses. Jesus appointed them apostles and gave them authority to heal the sick and cast out demons. He sent them out to preach the good news and get some firsthand experience. Later he sent the seventy two who came back rejoicing on their performance. He wanted the ministry of preaching the good news of the kingdom to continue even after His death and resurrection. For this reason He established the church on the rock as foundation, gave them the keys to the ‘kingdom’ and the ministry of binding and losing. (Mathew 16) After Jesus’ resurrection He had established a different relationship with the disciples addressing them, ‘…Go instead to my brothers…’ (John 20: 17b). Later He sent them as He was sent by the Father and granted them authority to forgive sins (John 20:21 – 23). He wished the church to carry on His ministry till His second coming. He commanded the disciples to continue teaching, preaching and baptizing (Mathew 28:18-20). The Holy Spirit descended on earth as a gift to empower the church (Acts 1:8) with many spiritual gifts (1Cor 12-14) so that the church was well equipped to manifest God’s love and power. Jesus was performing alone; operating in different roles as ‘healing the sick’, ‘prophet’, ‘deliverer’, ‘working signs and wonders’, ‘raising people from death’, ‘teaching’, ‘forgiving sins’ etc. After His departure He wanted the church to function as His body with different members operating in different gifts and ministries as different parts of the body. He was one person having ministry within a region; He planned the church demonstrated His fullness worldwide.
Paul described the gifts and ministries in detail in Romans 12, 1 Corinthians 12 -14 and Ephesians 4. There are gifts given to the church: by God (Romans 12: 3- 8); by the Holy Spirit (1 Cor 12: 4 – 11); there are ministries appointed in the church: by God (1Cor 12: 27 – 31); by Jesus (Ephesians 4: 7, 11). These gifts and ministries are given to the church as body of Christ; different gifts and ministries to different members to operate in harmony as the parts of a body. Although the gifts and ministries are given to individual members, apart from the gift of speaking in tongues (it can be used privately for personal edification), all the gifts and ministries are to be used for: the whole body (Rom 12: 5); for common good (1Cor 12: 7); for the equipping of the saints, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; that we should no longer be children…..may grow up in all things into Him who is the head – Christ – from whom the whole body joined together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth for the edifying of itself in love. (Ephesians 4: 12 – 16) Every member of a church is given a particular gift. As every part of the body has to function and is important for the body, so is every member of the church operating in the assigned gifts and ministries. It is surprising to observe that in human body non of the parts work for its own benefit but for the whole body; for example- the feet carry the whole body while walking, the hands work for the whole body whether it is washing, eating or working, the eyes see, enjoy and warn of any danger seen for the whole body. These are a few examples and the same is true with every part whether it is the head, ears, the nose and any other part of the body. The gifts and ministries are meant to be used by the members in a church the same way; for edification, maturity and growth to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ. There are parts in the body which are presentable and there are parts in the body which are not presentable. Every part in the body whether presentable or not presentable has the same importance; so it is with the gifts and ministries. One part cannot look down at the other based on its use, at the same time no part suffers from self pity based on prominence. Every part in the body is put together by the Creator in the best way possible. “…..But God composed the body, having given greater honor to that part which lacks it, that there should be no schism (division) in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another. And if one member suffers all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it. Now you are the body of Christ and members individually.” (1Cor 12: 24b – 27) The same principle is true with the gifts and ministries. It is not one part that makes the body but many parts. It is not one member that constitutes a church but many members. Every part of the human body needs to function in harmony; every member of the body of Christ, the church must operate in the assigned gifts and ministries in harmony for growth. Jesus initiated the ministry as a single person; the church, His fullness continues the ministry in each and every area of gifts and ministries worldwide.
Representative:
The word ‘representative’ is explained in dictionary as described below:
- A person or thing that represents another or others.
- An agent or deputy – a legal representative
- A person who represents a constituency or community in a legislative body, especially a member of the U.S. House of Representatives or a lower house in certain state legislatures.
- A typical example or specimen of a group, quality or kind.
- Acting for or representing a constituency or the whole people in the process of government – a representative council.
The word came in use during the period of 1350 – 1400 AD in Medieval Latin as
‘Representatives’.
The best example of representation is ‘The House of Representatives’ or ‘Parliament’. In any democratic country the people in a particular political region elect a leader to represent them in Parliament. This system is adopted for practical reasons. In case of Nepal there are leaders elected to represent the people of different regions in to the ‘Constituent Assembly’. All the 30 million Nepalese cannot voice their opinion in matters of policy making, writing of different statutes or may it be writing the new Constitution. Electing their representatives makes it easy and convenient for the Assembly to function smoothly and fulfill the public aspirations more efficiently. Whatever the representatives speak in the assembly is taken as the voice of the people represented. At the same time the representatives are expected to work and speak for betterment of region they represent.
Another good example of representation is an ‘Ambassador’. In modern times almost every country has diplomatic relationship with another. Ambassadors are appointed to represent the home country. They are put in there to work, speak and promote the interests of the home country. Whatever the ambassador speaks is taken as voice of the country; the ambassador’s life style, behavior and values are taken as that of the country represented. The ambassador is simply representing his home country to the country of assignment. Every step, action and behavior of the ambassador is watched closely and any flaw found brings disgrace to the home country. There are cases where ambassadors are called back for even a small mistake whether in word or action. To work as an ambassador of a country is a serious business.
Adam sinned in the garden and disobeyed God. Although his disobedient was personal, it had universal consequences. Adam being the first man was representing the whole creation. It is written, “Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus sin spread to all men, because all sinned…..Never the less death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those who had not sinned according to the likeness of the transgression of Adam, who is type of Him who was to come …”(Rom 5: 12, 14) The whole creation has been subject to death as sin had come in through Adam’s disobedience; he was representing not only the future generation but the whole creation.
Jesus’ coming into the world had two purposes: to represent the Father on earth and to represent mankind first on the cross and then as the ‘High Priest’ before the Father. So Jesus’ death on the cross was representing the mankind and brought in righteousness and justification for all those who believe. “Therefore as through one man’s offence (Adam’s) judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man’s righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life. For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man’s obedience many will be made righteous.’ (Romans 5: 18, 19) As Adam represented mankind at fall and brought in condemnation, so did Jesus; representing mankind on cross as he died and brought in righteousness and justification to all those who believe. Both Adam and Jesus were representing mankind, one to bring in condemnation, the other to bring in justification.
Jesus represented mankind in His role as Son of man but He also was representing God in His role as Son of God. Jesus said of God that “God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” (John 4: 24) In the book of Genesis also it is written of God, ‘The earth was without form and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.” (Genesis 1:2) God being Spirit has no physical body. He cannot be described in a physical form and does not have an image. Jesus how ever on several occasions made it clear to the disciples that He represented the Father not only in terms of authority but also in terms of physical appearance. On one occasion dealing with a paralytic man, “When He saw their faith, He said to him, ‘Man, your sins are forgiven you’. And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, “Who is this who speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone?”(Luke 5: 20, 21) For the scribes and the Pharisees Jesus forgiving sins was blasphemy, an insult to God as they never understood His authority. “But when Jesus perceived their thoughts, He answered and said to them, “Why are you reasoning in your hearts? Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Rise up and walk’? “But that you may know that the son of man has power on earth to forgive sins” – He said to the man who was paralyzed, “I say to you, arise, take up your bed, and go to your house”. (Luke 5:22-24) Jesus representing the Father had authority to forgive sins.
Jesus not only represented the Father in authority but was physical as well as spiritual representation in totality. Once Jesus was having an interesting conversation with the disciples. Perplexed by the statements Jesus was making about His departure and the way etc., “Philip said to Him, “Lord show us the Father and it is sufficient for us. Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known me, Philip? He who has seen me has seen the Father; so how can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Jesus urging the disciples to gather insight and have faith continued, “Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the father in Me? The words that I speak to you that I speak to you I do not speak on My own authority; but the Father who dwells in me does the works.” (John 14: 8-10) In other words the physical body of Jesus was the Father’s abode. The appearance of Jesus was the Father’s image. The speaking and workings of Jesus was the Father speaking and doing. Paul revealed this mystery in his letter to Colossians “He is the image of the invisible God, the first born over all creation. ….For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell,” (Col. 1:15, 19) and again he says, “For in Him dwells all the fullness of Godhead bodily;” (Col. 2:9) Therefore seeing Jesus is seeing God as Jesus is the bodily expression of God. Everything that was done by Jesus was done by God.
Church: Body of Christ:
The Church being the body of Christ represents Him exactly the same way. Jesus represented the Father in authority – the Church represents Jesus Christ in authority. Jesus was the physical representation of God on earth – the Church is physical representation of Christ; His body.
Jesus was sent by the Father in to this world, the disciples were the same way sent by Jesus. At one occasion after resurrection Jesus was talking to the disciples and “So Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you”.(John 20: 21) Jesus had authority to forgive sins – He gave this authority to the Church. “And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained”. (John 20: 22, 23) Jesus was sent by the Father – the Church is sent by Jesus; Jesus had the authority to forgive sins of the people – the Church is granted the same authority. The Father was living in Jesus; Jesus is living in the Church His body. “…the mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations, but now has been revealed to His saints. To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is ‘Christ in you, the hope of glory’. (Col.1: 26, 27) ‘Christ in you’ has been a mystery, something not easily understood and accepted. But this is the truth the Holy Spirit has made clear to the Church through the saints. Jesus Himself has granted the church authority to walk in His steps and represent in His fullness on earth. The church is given the ministry of binding and loosing: binding the powers of darkness and their activities and loosing God’s grace and the power of the Holy Spirit on earth. Whatever the church binds on earth is bound in heaven and whatever the church looses on earth is loosed in heaven. The Church represents Christ in authority.
The Church is also His body – as Jesus was the bodily representation of the father, so is the church – bodily representation of Christ His fullness. This is something for the church to rejoice for but at the same time this is something for the church to meditate, introspect and engage in serious thinking. As the church is the image of Christ, every action performed by the church is taken as that of Christ’s. The church shows Christ to the world. If the church expresses love, mercy, justice in to the world, Jesus is glorified; if the church is engaged in any thing opposite of God’s will and desire, it brings shame to Jesus. Church is like a city built on hill, being visible from all around. The world has been watching every little activity the church is involved in. Does it bring glory to God or is it a reason for people around to keep distance. Nothing hinders the gospel more than the Christians living in worldly style. The church is intended to be an example for the world to follow; in character, in purity, in holiness, in love, in honesty, in modesty, in every fruit of the Holy Spirit. The church is salt of the earth – affecting the society positively; burning sensation but healing to the wounds and adding taste into the peoples’ lives. The church is the light of the world; to give light to all who are in the ‘house’. “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (Mathew 5:16). Jesus fulfilled the Father’s will – the church is here and now to do the same. Jesus’ obedience to the Father was absolute – so should be the church’s. The Father was well pleased with Jesus – so he should be with the church. Each and every word of Jesus reflected that of the Father – so should the church reflect that of Christ. Jesus was here for the Father’s glory – the church is here now for the same purpose. As Jesus was for the Father – so the church is for Christ.
The Church is representing Christ on earth as His body. The church is granted all the authorities by Jesus as He was granted by the father. The church is also given to function as Christ’s ambassadors on earth. An ambassador works on behalf of and for the interests of his country in the country of his assignment. The church is the same – working on earth on behalf of Christ for His interests; preaching the good news of the ‘Kingdom’ and implore the people for reconciliation with God; engaging in spiritual warfare – binding and losing and bringing the Lord’ will to realization. “Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. Now then we are we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God.”(2Cor 5: 18-20) Since the church has been granted this ministry of reconciliation as Christ’s ambassadors, there is no other venue left for the people for their salvation. Jesus will not come again for world’s salvation but only for judgment and establishment of the ‘kingdom’ on earth. There will no angel be sent on earth for preaching the good news, but it is for the church to preach, for the church to proclaim, for the church to bring reconciliation between the people and God. The sooner the church understands, sees, takes the responsibility and works, the better it is for the world and for the church. If the church opens her mouth, the world will hear the message; if the church moves out, the world will be reached; if the church stretches out her hands, the world will be touched, if the church binds, the powers of darkness will be bound; if the church looses, God’s grace will abound. Salvation of the world now is fully dependent on ministry of reconciliation given to the church.
Jesus: Head of the Church
Jesus is appointed head of the church. The Greek word ‘Kephale’, translated head, besides its natural significance, is used (i) figuratively in Rom 12:20, of heaping coals of fire on a head; in Acts 18:6, “Your blood be upon your own heads”, this was a mode of expression very frequently used in the OT. (ii) Metaphorically, of the authority or direction of God in relation to Christ, of Christ in relation to believing men (the church) and of the husband in relation to the wife.
As God is the head over Christ, so Christ is the head of the church. As Christ submitted Himself to God in everything that He said and did, so should the church. As Christ’s ministry was for the glory of God, so should be the church’s. In everything church, the body is required to submit to Christ, the head. Christ was for pleasing the Father, the church is for pleasing Christ. Christ was for doing the Father’s will, church is for doing everything that Jesus has commanded. Jesus had maintained an un interrupted relationship with the father, the church should have the same. The Father was well pleased with the Son; the church should make her goal to please Christ the same way. Jesus did not care for the set religious pattern of the day; the church should not care now. Father’s will was Jesus’ utmost priority; the church should adhere to that of Jesus. Jesus died for the people; the church should serve the people with love. Jesus was bodily expression of the Father; the church must express herself as body of Christ. Jesus was physical expression of God’s love; the church should express the agape love on earth. Jesus brought total victory and freedom by the cross; the church should help the people experience that. Jesus defeated and bought back everything that Satan had taken away; the church should help people repossess. There is so much the world does not see, know and understand – that which Jesus has accomplished – the church is required to make it known. There was so much that one man Jesus accomplished by His death; there is so much the church, His fullness, should bring to realization. Jesus was one man – mediator – between god and man; the church is worldwide given this ministry of reconciliation. Jesus was one man who came from heaven, the church worldwide has been granted the heavenly citizenship. Jesus was the only begotten son; the church has been given power to become children of God. Jesus was the first born of the Father; the church is granted the status of “a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people”. (1Peter2:9)
Only God is holy and the church is not made of holy people but is commanded to be holy as ‘God is holy’. Only our Father in heaven is perfect and the church is not made of perfect people but is commanded to be perfect as ‘the Father in heaven is perfect’. Church is made of people with commitment, born again and forgiven their sins; people not of their own righteousness but having imputed righteousness that come by faith in Jesus. The church is made of people with character flaws and weaknesses in the flesh whom “….Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that he might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish”. (Eph 5: 24-27) Jesus as the head of the church is bringing in the change that he has envisaged for her.
In the mean time the Church is commanded to have the same attitude as Jesus had. Church is commanded to have the same point of view that Jesus had. Church is commanded to have the same love for the world that Jesus had. Jesus saw the people as sheep, desperate, without a shepherd. The church needs to have the same attitude, the same point of view and the same out look. Jesus understood the spiritual blindness of the people and was able to pray to the father for their forgiveness from the cross saying, ‘they do not know what they are doing’. The church is empowered to discern the spiritual dilemma of the world and is commanded to stand in the ‘gap’ and intercede for the salvation of the nations. Jesus had reached out and touched every person with a heart full of compassion, desiring total release; the church is commanded to intercede for release of the nations, expressing God’s glory and power.
Working of head in a physical body is very easy to understand. Every part of the body work in harmony by submitting and obeying all the requirements and commands conveyed by the head. Any smallest of disharmony and disobedience can cause major problems in proper functioning of the body, may it be not eating, over eating, not sleeping, over sleeping, indulgence and alike. We can imagine if the feet do not want to work; or the eyes refuse to see, or the mouth refuse to open. There may be problems we can easily understand. Our physical parts are naturally tuned to be sensitive and work in harmony to every command conveyed by the head, simply by submitting to it. The problem with the church is although Christ is appointed head of the church; the members of the church are not the same as part of a physical body. Part of a physical body is well tuned to the head and is sensitive and submissive to it in total obedience. Member of a church is not like that; a member is a fully grown person with his or her own head. Members in a church have their own frame of mind. Their obedience to the Head depends on their degree of submission and obedience to the Lord. Every individual member of any church is put in warfare, between his own flesh and its desires, most of the times provoked by the powers of darkness, worries and attractions of the world and the Father’s will. A church’s effectiveness in submitting to the Head, the Christ, is fully dependent on her members’ personal submission and obedience to the Lord’s will. The church is sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit, the church is obedient to the commandments of the Lord, the church is delighted in carrying out Jesus’ business, and all depends on obedience of individual believer’s sensitivity, submission and obedience. Is the Holy Spirit allowed to rule in the church, is the vision made clear, is goal set, are the strategies explained, are the leaders of one mind, is the Lord’s glory is the first priority; these are some issues that need to be made clear first and leadership is involved here. Individualism, pride, ambition, hypocrisy, hidden and suppressed sins, covetousness, immorality, laziness and procrastination are some elements that hinder the working in harmony. It needs clear headedness of each and every believer in the church to be actively involved in fulfilling the Lord’s will. This is the sole purpose of the church being established globally and locally. May we have the vision of the Head working through each and every member of the church as a physical body performs effectively.
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