Posted on 06/20/2017 4:12:13 PM PDT by ealgeone
Question: "What is the church?"
Answer: Many people today understand the church as a building. This is not a biblical understanding of the church. The word “church” comes from the Greek word ekklesia which is defined as “an assembly” or “called-out ones.” The root meaning of “church” is not that of a building, but of people. It is ironic that when you ask people what church they attend, they usually identify a building. Romans 16:5 says “… greet the church that is in their house.” Paul refers to the church in their house—not a church building, but a body of believers.
The church is the body of Christ, of which He is the head. Ephesians 1:22-23 says, “And God placed all things under his 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.” The body of Christ is made up of all believers in Jesus Christ from the day of Pentecost (Acts chapter 2) until Christ’s return. The body of Christ is comprised of two aspects:
1) The universal church consists of all those who have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. “For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink” (1 Corinthians 12:13). This verse says that anyone who believes is part of the body of Christ and has received the Spirit of Christ as evidence. The universal church of God is all those who have received salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.
2) The local church is described in Galatians 1:1-2: “Paul, an apostle … and all the brothers with me, to the churches in Galatia.” Here we see that in the province of Galatia there were many churches—what we call local churches. A Baptist church, Lutheran church, Catholic church, etc., is not the church, as in the universal church—but rather is a local church, a local body of believers. The universal church is comprised of those who belong to Christ and who have trusted Him for salvation. These members of the universal church should seek fellowship and edification in a local church.
In summary, the church is not a building or a denomination. According to the Bible, the church is the body of Christ—all those who have placed their faith in Jesus Christ for salvation (John 3:16; 1 Corinthians 12:13). Local churches are gatherings of members of the universal church. The local church is where the members of the universal church can fully apply the “body” principles of 1 Corinthians chapter 12: encouraging, teaching, and building one another up in the knowledge and grace of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Point #2 From Genesis 3:8 We can determine that Adam and Eve communed directly with God in the Garden (before the fall). During these talks were instructions given. One of these instructions was to not eat of the tree of good and evil. There were undoubtedly many more. Although it is not recorded in Scripture it would logical that Adam and Eve would be worshiping and resting on the Sabbath just as God did for an example.
#3 When confronted by God over the death of his brother, Cain did not invoke ignorance that this was wrong. He knew this was wrong because of the instructions God left Adam and Eve. These instructions were passed along to their progeny. Again, not recorded, but inferred by Cains actions.
What was Jesus' custom? He went to the synagogue to worship. He followed the Ten Commandments to the letter (and spirit). He was perfect in every way.
Remember the Law cannot save. It can only condemn. The purpose of the Law is to identify sin. When looking into this "mirror", we see that we are not perfect. We need help to achieve perfection. That help is Jesus. Without this, we are lost for eternity.
Romans 3:31 Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.
The law is still in effect. Does our faith in Jesus allow us to disregard the law by saying "we are saved by our faith only"? No, we are to establish the law by our actions. Realizing these works do not save but are pleasing to God and shows trust in Him.
No. God makes the Laws, not man. Genesis 2:3 God blessed the Sabbath and sanctified it. There is no substitute. For further proof the Sabbath is valid look to Matt. 24:20 But pray you that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the Sabbath day. This was an event decades AFTER the Crucifixion. This shows the Sabbath is still in effect. Hebrews 4:9 There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God.
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>> “Wasn’t the Sabbath done away with at the cross?” <<
Where would anyone get that absurd idea? The Acts is all about the keeping of the Sabbath and appointed feasts.
>> “The Apostles met on other days. They met on the first day of the week frequently.” <<
Fail!!!
When the Apostles met “on the first day of the week” it was right at sundown on what we call Saturday evening. It was always to gather monetary gifts that were forbidden to carry on the Sabbath, and it often then evolved into a late night study of the scriptures called “Havdalah.”
They never gathered on “Sunday.”
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>> “The universal church consists of all those who have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.” <<
And included those that believed in the centuries previous to the Savior’s birth, when belief required vastly more faith than it does now!
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That IS Sunday by Jewish time reckoning.
Sun(god) Day worshipers refer to this verse as an excuse to break Gods immutable Law. First there were additional sabbaths in the Old Testament and secondly man made additional rules for the Sabbath. These extra man made rules had no origin with Scripture but created a burden to the people. Instead of the Sabbath being a blessing and something looked forward to (communing with God), it was hoped nobody became sick or needed assistance on that day lest they be out of compliance. Which brings us to Mark 2:27 And He said unto them, The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath:
Jesus was not only validating the Sabbath but breaking down the barriers man had erected for vain purposes.
At that time as now there were emperors and kings declaring new rules and "holy days". Remember Daniel and the lions den? Daniel got cross ways with a kings edict. What about Christmas? Should a Christian judge another celebration of this (man made?) holiday? This says no. Is a person guilty of witchcraft for celebrating Halloween? Again no. Neither of these are for me but I don't judge others for their participation.
Sing me no song, read me no rhyme Don't waste my time, show me! Don't talk of June, don't talk of fall Don't talk at all! Show me!
This is an example of scripture backing up what you are trying to get across?
Dang!
You sound just like a CATHOLIC!
223 & 224 are directly opposed to each other!
Never?
HMMMmmm...
here is the signpost which signifies this chapter is about the ordinances which pointed to Christ. A shadow has no substance. Another indication the sabbaths referred to in verse 16 are the ceremonial sabbaths (Lev. 23) or a declared one by the authorities (whether secular or priestly).
The Ten Commandments are not a shadow of anything. They stand alone. Paul praised them in other places. The psalmist declared them perfect.
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Please do not make a fool of yourself.
Only pagans have a “Sunday.”
By Biblical reckoning, it is the “first day of the week.”
Yeshua’s people have always called it a work day.
(Six days shall thou labor...)
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During the daylight portion it is a work day.
Believers did meet right after sundown for Havdalah. That was a “potluck dinner” and Bible study.
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I meant in general. I'd make an exception for you.
/s
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