The Church of God in Christ Jesus

1. Question: What is the meaning of 'church' according to the holy scriptures?

Answer: 1.1 According to the Holy Scriptures, a 'church' refers to a group of worshipers who believe in God and the Son of God.

(Acts 12:5, NIV) So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him.

(Acts 14:27, NIV) On arriving there, they gathered the church together and reported all that God had done through them and how he had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles.

(Acts 15:3, NIV) The church sent them on their way, and as they travelled through Phoenicia and Samaria, they told how the Gentiles had been converted. This news made all the brothers very glad.

(Acts 15:4, NIV) When they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and the apostles and elders, to whom they reported everything God had done through them.

(Acts 15:22, NIV) Then the apostles and elders, with the whole church, decided to choose some of their own men and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas.

(Acts 15:30, NIV) The men were sent off and went down to Antioch, where they gathered the church together and delivered the letter.

(I Corinthians 14:23, NIV) So if the whole church comes together and everyone speaks in tongues, and some who do not understand [Or some enquirers] or some unbelievers come in, will they not say that you are out of your mind?

1.2 In another definition of the word 'church', it refers to the a building where the worship is held, synonymous to the word 'temple'. There is no recorded Christian church building in the New Testament because perhaps the disciples of Christ (or early Christians) were always hiding to avoid persecution and death. (Acts 8:1-3; 12:1-2; I Corinthians 15:9; Galatians 1:13) Instead, the believers meet in a particular house to worship the Lord (Romans 16:5; I Corinthians 16:19; Colossians 4:15; Philemon 1-2).

(Acts 8:1-3, NIV) And Saul was there, giving approval to his death. On that day a great persecution broke out against the church at Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. (Acts 8:2) Godly men buried Stephen and mourned deeply for him. (Acts 8:3) But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off men and women and put them in prison.

(Acts 12:1-2, NIV) It was about this time that King Herod arrested some who belonged to the church, intending to persecute them. (Acts 12:2) He had James, the brother of John, put to death with the sword.

(I Corinthians 15:9, NIV) For I am the least of the apostles and do not even deserve to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.

(Galatians 1:13, NIV) For you have heard of my previous way of life in Judaism, how intensely I persecuted the church of God and tried to destroy it.

(Romans 16:5, NIV) Greet also the church that meets at their house.

(I Corinthians 16:19, NIV) The churches in the province of Asia send you greetings. Aquila and Priscilla [Greek: Prisca, a variant of Priscilla] greet you warmly in the Lord, and so does the church that meets at their house.

(Colossians 4:15, NIV) Give my greetings to the brothers at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house.

(Philemon 1-2, NIV) Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, To Philemon our dear friend and fellow-worker, to Apphia our sister, to Archippus our fellow-soldier and to the church that meets in your home:

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2. Question: What is the purpose of God in building the church?

Answer: The purpose of God in building the church is for the rulers and authorities to know the wisdom of God (Ephesians 3:6, 10-11) and the power of God that no one else but Christ (I Corinthians 1:24).

(Ephesians 3:6, 10-11, NIV) This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus. (Ephesians 3:10) His {God} intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, (Ephesians 3:11) according to his eternal purpose which he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord.

(I Corinthians 1:24, NIV) "but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ {is} the power of God and the wisdom of God."

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3. Question: Was there a revelation that a church will be built?

Answer: The Lord Jesus Christ has foretold that he will build the church.

(Matthew 16:18, NIV) And I tell you that you are Peter, [Peter means rock.] and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades [Or hell] will not overcome it. [Or not prove stronger than it].

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4. Question: Is there a proof in the holy scriptures that the church has been built?

Answer: There was a church that was persecuted, therefore, it has been built.

(Acts 8:1, NIV) And Saul was there, giving approval to his death. On that day a great persecution broke out against the church at Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria.

(Acts 12:1, NIV) It was about this time that King Herod arrested some who belonged to the church, intending to persecute them.

(1 Corinthians 15:9, NIV) For I am the least of the apostles and do not even deserve to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.

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5. Question: What is the name of the church that was persecuted by Saul [called Paul – Acts 13:9]* that in the end was called to become an apostle of Christ?

Answer: According to the testimony of apostle Paul, he persecuted the church of God where he was called to become an apostle of Christ.

(I Corinthians 1:1-2, NIV) Paul, called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and our brother Sosthenes, (I Corinthians 1:2) To the church of God in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be holy, together with all those everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ — their Lord and ours:

(I Corinthians 15:9, NIV) For I {Paul} am the least of the apostles and do not even deserve to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.

(II Corinthians 1:1, NIV) Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, To the church of God in Corinth, together with all the saints throughout Achaia:

*Related Verse: Acts 13:9, NIV - Then Saul, who was also called Paul, . . .

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6. Question: Why do we have to perform the commandments of God in the church of God?

Answer: The commandments of God have to be performed in the Church of God because it is the pillar and foundation of the truth.

(I Timothy 3:15, NIV) if I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God’s household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth.

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7. Question: What is the full name of the church that was built?

Answer: The full name of the church that was built is Church of God in Christ Jesus (or God’s churches in Christ Jesus in the New International Version).

(I Corinthians 1:2, NIV) To the church of God in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be holy, together with all those everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ — their Lord and ours:

(I Thessalonians 2:14, NIV) For you, brothers, became imitators of God’s churches in Judea, which are in Christ Jesus: You suffered from your own countrymen the same things those churches suffered from the Jews,

*See also 1 Thessalonians 2:14 in the New American Standard Bible, NASB - “…churches of God in Christ Jesus…”

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8. Question: Why does the name of God and of Jesus Christ are found together in the full name of the church?

Answer: 8.1 About the name of God

8.1.1 God has given to Jesus Christ first, the apostles who obeyed in His (God’s) words.

(John 17:2, 6, 8-9, NIV) For you granted him {Christ} authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you {God} have given him. (John 17:6) “I have revealed you [Greek: your name; also in verse 26] to those {apostles} whom you gave me out of the world. They were yours; you gave them to me and they have obeyed your word. (John 17:8) For I gave them the words you gave me and they accepted them. They knew with certainty that I came from you, and they believed that you sent me. (John 17:9) I pray for them. I am not praying for the world, but for those you have given me, for they are yours.

8.1.2 God has also given to Jesus Christ those who believed in him (Christ) through the apostles’ message.

(John 17:20, 24, NIV) “My prayer is not for them {apostles} alone. I pray also for those {people} who will believe in me through their message, (John. 17:24) “Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world.

8.2 About the name of Jesus Christ

8.2.1 Christ bought the church with his own blood.

(Acts 20:28, NIV) Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. [Traditionally bishops] Be shepherds of the church of God, [Many manuscripts of the Lord] which he bought with his own blood.

(Hebrews 9:11-12, NIV) When Christ came as high priest of the good things that are already here, [Some early manuscripts are to come] he went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not man-made, that is to say, not a part of this creation. (Hebrews 9:12) He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he {Christ} entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, having obtained eternal redemption.

(Hebrews 13:12, NIV) And so Jesus also suffered outside the city gate to make the people holy through his own blood.

8.2.2 Jesus Christ is the head and the savior of the church.

(Ephesians 1:22-23, NIV) And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him {Christ} to be head over everything for the church, (Ephesians 1:23) which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.

(Ephesians 5:23, NIV) For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Saviour.

(Colossians 1:18, NIV) And he (Christ) is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy.

(Matthew 28:18, NIV) Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.

Note: It is important to know that all that Christ have (believers) belongs to God the Father, and all that God have (believers) belongs to Christ, his Son (John 17:10).

(John 17:10 , NIV) All I have is yours, and all you have is mine. And glory has come to me through them.

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9. Question: Where can you find the phrase 'church of God' in the Holy Scriptures?

Answer: The phrase 'church of God' was written twelve (12) times in numerous translations of the Holy Scriptures specifically on following verses:

(Acts 20:28, NIV) "Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. [Traditionally bishops] Be shepherds of the church of God, [Many manuscripts of the Lord] which he bought with his own blood."

(I Corinthians 1:2, NIV) "To the church of God in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be holy, together with all those everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ — their Lord and ours:"

(I Corinthians 10:32, NIV) "Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God”

(I Corinthians 11:16, NIV) "If anyone wants to be contentious about this, we have no other practice — nor do the churches of God."

(I Corinthians 11:22, NIV) "Don’t you have homes to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God and humiliate those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I praise you for this? Certainly not!”

(I Corinthians 15:9, NIV) “For I am the least of the apostles and do not even deserve to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God."

(II Corinthians 1:1, NIV) “Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, To the church of God in Corinth, together with all the saints throughout Achaia:"

(Galatians 1:13, NIV) "For you have heard of my previous way of life in Judaism, how intensely I persecuted the church of God and tried to destroy it."

(I Thessalonians 2:14, NIV) "For you, brothers, became imitators of God’s churches in Judea, which are in Christ Jesus: You suffered from your own countrymen the same things those churches suffered from the Jews;"

(II Thessalonians 1:4, NIV) "Therefore, among God’s churches we boast about your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and trials you are enduring."

(I Timothy 3:5, NIV) "(If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church?)"

(I Timothy 3:15, NIV) "If I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God’s household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth."

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Summary:

According to the Holy Scriptures, the 'church' refers to a group of worshipers that have faith in God (Acts 12:5; 14:27; 15:3, 4, 22, 30; I Corinthians 14:23).

The purpose of God in building the church is for the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms to know the wisdom of God (Ephesians 3:6, 10-11) and the power of God that no one else but Christ (I Corinthians 1:24).

The Lord Jesus Christ has foretold that he will build the church (Matthew 16:18). The proof of existence of the church was its prosecution (Acts 8:1; 12:1). According to apostle Paul, he persecuted the 'church of God' where he was later called to be an apostle of Christ (I Corinthians 1:1-2; 15:9; II Corinthians 1:1).

It is necessary for the true Christians to perform the commandments of God in His household which is the church of the living God because it is the pillar and foundation of the truth (I Timothy 3:15).

The full name of the church that was built is Church of God in Christ Jesus (or God’s churches in Christ Jesus in The Ages Digital Library Bibles - New International Version). (I Corinthians 1:2; I Thessalonians 2:14).

The name of God and of Jesus Christ are found together in the full name of the church because God has given to Jesus Christ first, the apostles who obeyed in His (God’s) words (John 17:2, 6, 8-9) and those people (who became members of the church) that believed in him (Christ) through the apostles’ message (John17:20, 24). Further, Christ bought the church with his own blood (Acts 20:28; Hebrews 9:11-12; 13:12) in which he is also the head and the savior (Ephesians 1:22-23; 5:23; Colossians 1:18). Finally, it is important to know that all that Christ have (believers) belongs to God the Father, and all that God have (believers) belongs to Christ, his Son (John 17:10).

The phrase 'church of God' was written twelve (12) times in numerous translations of the Holy Scriptures specifically on the following verses: Acts 20:28; I Corinthians 1:2; 10:32; 11:16, 22; 15:9; II Corinthians 1:1; Galatians 1:13; I Thessalonians 2:14; II Thessalonians 1:4; I Timothy 3:5 and 3:15.

Consequently, the followers of Christ must be members of the Church that bears both the name of God (the Father) and Jesus Christ (the Son of God). This is important to know and The True Meaning according to the Holy Scriptures!

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Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version™, NIV™ Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used with permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

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