Ecclesiology
1. What is the church?
The “Church” is a unique spiritual organism designed by Christ. “The Church” is different than “a church” though they are interrelated. In addition to comparing and contrasting those different descriptors, this response will address the global, relational, and timeless nature of the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ.
“A church” is made up of believers and unbelievers. The building or local gathering place possesses both. However, Scripture speaks of “the Church” in a way that extends far beyond the walls of our local buildings and excludes those who are unbelieving and deceived. In “a church” people can be knowingly unrepentant or deceived about their spiritual state (thinking they are saved but by their fruit they show no evidence, Matt. 7:13-14, James 2:14, 26). But in “the Church” there are only true believers. The Church is the called and collected, aka, the called out ones. Those who are granted faith are “added” to this living, spiritual organism (Acts 2:41, 47). It is made up of those who “repent”, seek “Christ for the forgiveness of… sins”, and deny themselves, take up their “cross daily and follow” Him (Acts 2:38, Luke 9:23). The Church is built by Christ Himself (Matt. 16:18) in the satisfying work of the atonement of His shed blood at Calvary (Rom. 3:25). Those who are drawn out (John 6:44, 15:19) and separated from the world are to be lights for Christ (Matt. 5:16, 1 John 2:15). Those who are in Jesus’ Church are those who truly love Him and as a result of the love they obey His word (John 14:15). Therefore, the Church is a relationship horizontally and vertically. Individual Christians each have the Holy Spirit, are “in” Christ[1], and cry out to the same Father. Since the same Spirit indwells each believer the Church is literally a family connected together by Christ to adore God.
Scripture gives us many pictures to help us see the significance and relational nature of how God loves His Church. We are a “body”. We are an extended, united part of Christ. Though we each have different gifts and roles there are many “members, and all the members of the body, though they are many, are one body… For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body… For the body is not one member, but many” (1 Cor. 12:12-14). Paul states that we are all part of this “body” just as feet and ears are all integral to a human body. Christ also gives us the marriage relationship image to help us see that just as man and wife come together to love one another sacrificially (Eph. 5:21-27) so it is that Christ “nourishes and cherishes… the church, because we are members of His body” (v. 29-33). Another great image that is given to us to help us understand the Church is the sheep flock and the Shepherd. “I have other sheep, which are not of this fold; I must bring them also, and they will hear My voice; and they will become one flock with one shepherd… and they follow Me” (John 10:16, 27). While so much more could be said about this image, it is essential to point out that Jesus leads His Church (with His word), shepherds His Church (literally guides them), and has called out believers from different folds though they are one with Him. Though our culture and times may be different from Paul’s apostolic missions, believers from that era were no different from today’s American believer in terms of being in the sheepfold of Christ and loving God as Father. Neither is a Zimbabwe believer from 400 years ago any different. Since God is timeless and we are in Him through Christ, believers are an eternal family. Even while we were yet rebellious (Rom. 5:8) God demonstrated love by adopting wicked sinners to become His children (1 John 3:1) through the willful sacrifice and all-sufficient atonement of Jesus Christ.[2] We’ve been called out of darkness to be with Him forever as a community of believers; however, since He doesn’t rapture His Church upon conversion there is still much to do here to bear His fruit among this world.[3]
[1] See response to Soteriology – 2. Sanctification … “union with Christ” for information on being “in” Christ.
[2] See response to Christology – 1. Why did Christ die?
[3] See next response for more on the role of the Church.
“A church” is made up of believers and unbelievers. The building or local gathering place possesses both. However, Scripture speaks of “the Church” in a way that extends far beyond the walls of our local buildings and excludes those who are unbelieving and deceived. In “a church” people can be knowingly unrepentant or deceived about their spiritual state (thinking they are saved but by their fruit they show no evidence, Matt. 7:13-14, James 2:14, 26). But in “the Church” there are only true believers. The Church is the called and collected, aka, the called out ones. Those who are granted faith are “added” to this living, spiritual organism (Acts 2:41, 47). It is made up of those who “repent”, seek “Christ for the forgiveness of… sins”, and deny themselves, take up their “cross daily and follow” Him (Acts 2:38, Luke 9:23). The Church is built by Christ Himself (Matt. 16:18) in the satisfying work of the atonement of His shed blood at Calvary (Rom. 3:25). Those who are drawn out (John 6:44, 15:19) and separated from the world are to be lights for Christ (Matt. 5:16, 1 John 2:15). Those who are in Jesus’ Church are those who truly love Him and as a result of the love they obey His word (John 14:15). Therefore, the Church is a relationship horizontally and vertically. Individual Christians each have the Holy Spirit, are “in” Christ[1], and cry out to the same Father. Since the same Spirit indwells each believer the Church is literally a family connected together by Christ to adore God.
Scripture gives us many pictures to help us see the significance and relational nature of how God loves His Church. We are a “body”. We are an extended, united part of Christ. Though we each have different gifts and roles there are many “members, and all the members of the body, though they are many, are one body… For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body… For the body is not one member, but many” (1 Cor. 12:12-14). Paul states that we are all part of this “body” just as feet and ears are all integral to a human body. Christ also gives us the marriage relationship image to help us see that just as man and wife come together to love one another sacrificially (Eph. 5:21-27) so it is that Christ “nourishes and cherishes… the church, because we are members of His body” (v. 29-33). Another great image that is given to us to help us understand the Church is the sheep flock and the Shepherd. “I have other sheep, which are not of this fold; I must bring them also, and they will hear My voice; and they will become one flock with one shepherd… and they follow Me” (John 10:16, 27). While so much more could be said about this image, it is essential to point out that Jesus leads His Church (with His word), shepherds His Church (literally guides them), and has called out believers from different folds though they are one with Him. Though our culture and times may be different from Paul’s apostolic missions, believers from that era were no different from today’s American believer in terms of being in the sheepfold of Christ and loving God as Father. Neither is a Zimbabwe believer from 400 years ago any different. Since God is timeless and we are in Him through Christ, believers are an eternal family. Even while we were yet rebellious (Rom. 5:8) God demonstrated love by adopting wicked sinners to become His children (1 John 3:1) through the willful sacrifice and all-sufficient atonement of Jesus Christ.[2] We’ve been called out of darkness to be with Him forever as a community of believers; however, since He doesn’t rapture His Church upon conversion there is still much to do here to bear His fruit among this world.[3]
[1] See response to Soteriology – 2. Sanctification … “union with Christ” for information on being “in” Christ.
[2] See response to Christology – 1. Why did Christ die?
[3] See next response for more on the role of the Church.
2. What role does the church play in the believer's life and the counseling process?
“The purpose of the church is to glorify God (Eph. 3:21) by building itself up in the faith (Eph. 4:13-16), by instruction of the word (2 Tim. 2:2, 15; 3:16-17), by fellowship (Acts 2:47; 1 John 1:3), by keeping the ordinances (Luke 22:19; Acts 2:38-42) and by advancing and communicating the gospel to the entire world (Matt. 28:19; Acts 1:8).”[1] Christ raises up all sorts of Godly servants for the good works He requires of His church (Eph. 2:10). Though pastors and elders are not above other believers in terms of spiritual status, God has called and gifted men to shepherd the local churches that oversee His sheep. “He gave… some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ” (Eph. 4:11-12). These men are to “shepherd the flock of God… exercising oversight… voluntarily, according to the will of God…” (1 Pet. 5:2). As a result, believers are commanded to “Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with grief, for this would be unprofitable for you” (Heb. 13:17). Believers must place themselves under the leadership of the Godly men that Christ has sovereignly appointed so that they can be shepherded intimately and personally. This is not intrusion into one’s life. This is God’s design for keeping the “body” blameless and united. As we have we fingers on our body that are used to cover the other body parts’ wounds and scraps with ointments and dressings, similarly the true shepherds are to apply the Word to all believers in all situations for the benefit of their walks with Christ and His glory.
It’s been said that counseling is about the Church, not the church about counseling.[2] This statement has many applications but the essence is that churches must not exercise counsel for the building up of a counseling business/reputation. Neither should the focus be solely on the individual person’s improvement. Rather, counseling’s sole purpose should be to build up the Church and bring glory to Christ. Discipleship is somewhat different. Discipleship is a command God has given to all believers to raise one another up. This should happen whether there are problems or not. Certainly, counseling corrects problems through discipleship. But discipleship ought to build up Godliness in people so that counseling is prevented. Discipleship is preventative counseling and counseling is corrective discipleship yet all of it is applied sanctification to make the body of Christ more like Him.
God exhorts that His people pursue holiness because He is holy (Lev. 20:26) and that they all “be made complete in the same mind” with no divisions among them (1 Cor. 1:10). How can believers be united unless they fellowship and worship together often? How can God-ordained elders and leaders make the bride of Christ accountable if church membership, discipleship, and discipline are ignored? [3] The church exists for the very purpose of commanding submission and uniformity to the Lord through the close relationships with our church leaders. Therefore, the role of the church is that “we live together with Him” to “encourage one another and build up one another” (1 Thess. 5:10-11). While we must ultimately respect the pastors, elders, deacons/nesses of our local assembly[4] (1 Thess. 5:12-13), those in the church must not assume it is only pastoral work to disciple/counsel. All believers are urged to “admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak” (1 Thess. 5:14).
[1] John MacArthur, The MacArthur Study Bible, “Overview of Theology”, ESV edition, p. 1986
[2] Jim Newheiser’s audio file, “Theology and Biblical Counseling” from the Institute of Biblical Counseling and Discipleship’s audio series “Basics of Biblical Counseling” session 9.
[3] The topic of discipline that accompanies the Church’s role in counseling a believer will be addressed in Ecclesiology – 4. What authority... does the church have over individuals and the counseling process?
[4] See more about the gender roles in the next response.
It’s been said that counseling is about the Church, not the church about counseling.[2] This statement has many applications but the essence is that churches must not exercise counsel for the building up of a counseling business/reputation. Neither should the focus be solely on the individual person’s improvement. Rather, counseling’s sole purpose should be to build up the Church and bring glory to Christ. Discipleship is somewhat different. Discipleship is a command God has given to all believers to raise one another up. This should happen whether there are problems or not. Certainly, counseling corrects problems through discipleship. But discipleship ought to build up Godliness in people so that counseling is prevented. Discipleship is preventative counseling and counseling is corrective discipleship yet all of it is applied sanctification to make the body of Christ more like Him.
God exhorts that His people pursue holiness because He is holy (Lev. 20:26) and that they all “be made complete in the same mind” with no divisions among them (1 Cor. 1:10). How can believers be united unless they fellowship and worship together often? How can God-ordained elders and leaders make the bride of Christ accountable if church membership, discipleship, and discipline are ignored? [3] The church exists for the very purpose of commanding submission and uniformity to the Lord through the close relationships with our church leaders. Therefore, the role of the church is that “we live together with Him” to “encourage one another and build up one another” (1 Thess. 5:10-11). While we must ultimately respect the pastors, elders, deacons/nesses of our local assembly[4] (1 Thess. 5:12-13), those in the church must not assume it is only pastoral work to disciple/counsel. All believers are urged to “admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak” (1 Thess. 5:14).
[1] John MacArthur, The MacArthur Study Bible, “Overview of Theology”, ESV edition, p. 1986
[2] Jim Newheiser’s audio file, “Theology and Biblical Counseling” from the Institute of Biblical Counseling and Discipleship’s audio series “Basics of Biblical Counseling” session 9.
[3] The topic of discipline that accompanies the Church’s role in counseling a believer will be addressed in Ecclesiology – 4. What authority... does the church have over individuals and the counseling process?
[4] See more about the gender roles in the next response.
3. What is the Biblical teaching on women being ordained as officers of the church?
The
Bible speaks of similarities and differences when it addresses male and female
believers. This response will first
address how similar they are in their spiritual service and faith to
Christ. The remainder will say that women
are equally spiritual but they have different roles.
In Galatians 3, Paul states that all believers “are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus… There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (v. 26, 28). What Paul means is that we are all one body and we are all equally spiritual. He is mainly describing that Jews and Greeks are in the same family, not separated by the Law. With this illustration he includes slaves to free men and male to female. While it is true that men and women are one and the same in Christ, this statement cannot be used to declare that we serve in the same roles, for it makes no mention of such an idea. It is simply pointing out that males are no greater in the family than women nor is a free man nor is a Jew. In Romans 16, Paul exhorts the church to greet and express love to all of the believers whether they were men or women (see v. 1-15). He makes no distinctions of equality differences whether male or female. In fact, Paul makes specific mention of the “sincere faith” that Timothy clearly saw in his “grandmother Lois” and “mother Eunice” (2 Tim. 1:5). He even warns in another letter not to “sharply rebuke an older man” and similarly treat “the older women as mothers, and the younger women as sisters, in all purity” (1 Tim. 5:1-2).
The qualifications for an elder/pastor are all male-related; “any Man above reproach, the husband of one wife… he will be able to exhort in sound doctrine and refute… If any man aspires to the office of overseer, it is a fine work he desires to do… must be above reproach, the husband of one wife” (Tit. 1:6, 9; 1 Tim. 3:1-2, emphasis mine). In 1 Tim. 3:3-8 male pronouns are used for elder descriptions 9 more times. Verses 8-10 and 12 affirm qualifications for male deacons as well. It is clear that God has called men to be shepherds/overseers and deacons. Though verse 11 connects women to the role of deacon with the statement, “likewise”, we also read, “I do not allow a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man” in 1 Tim. 2:11-12. “The women are to keep silent in the churches… it is improper for a woman to speak in church” (1 Cor. 14:34-35). Obviously, this is not to say women cannot speak, sing, or ask questions. Women are commanded to learn (1 Tim. 2:11), to teach younger women “what is good” (Tit. 2:3-4), and to serve but they are not permitted to preach, teach, or exercise leadership over a man (which would include the assembly). The keeping silent refers to the role of taking position among the brethren as an overseer. Scripture speaks clearly that women are to serve in different roles. They are to teach, counsel, and encourage other women and children. They can be deaconesses, counselors, Sunday school teachers, and much more but cannot be the shepherds. Proponents of equal rights for women often declare that these teachings by Paul are sexist and unfair. However, Paul couldn’t have been clearer that women are to be valued and commended for their service and great faith in the body of Christ. They simply have different roles. This ultimately didn’t come from Paul anyway but from the Lord as “all Scripture is breathed out by God” (2 Tim. 3:16).[1] The Lord is Triune. Each person of the Trinity is fully God yet has a unique role.[2] Christ didn’t declare it unfair that He doesn’t serve the way the Father does and as a result disobey the will of the Father to usurp authority. To do so would be sin. In perfect submission Christ and the Holy Spirit accept their roles as important yet different. The gifts that many women are given to teach, learn, and counsel are extraordinary and vital to the life of the church. Indeed we should praise God for our women. However, in a time where liberal theology is encouraging female elders, the truth must be declared that God has commanded it not be so.
[1] See response to Bibliology – 1 for more on God’s word being breathed out by Him.
[2] See response to Theology Proper – 1 for more on the Trinity.
In Galatians 3, Paul states that all believers “are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus… There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (v. 26, 28). What Paul means is that we are all one body and we are all equally spiritual. He is mainly describing that Jews and Greeks are in the same family, not separated by the Law. With this illustration he includes slaves to free men and male to female. While it is true that men and women are one and the same in Christ, this statement cannot be used to declare that we serve in the same roles, for it makes no mention of such an idea. It is simply pointing out that males are no greater in the family than women nor is a free man nor is a Jew. In Romans 16, Paul exhorts the church to greet and express love to all of the believers whether they were men or women (see v. 1-15). He makes no distinctions of equality differences whether male or female. In fact, Paul makes specific mention of the “sincere faith” that Timothy clearly saw in his “grandmother Lois” and “mother Eunice” (2 Tim. 1:5). He even warns in another letter not to “sharply rebuke an older man” and similarly treat “the older women as mothers, and the younger women as sisters, in all purity” (1 Tim. 5:1-2).
The qualifications for an elder/pastor are all male-related; “any Man above reproach, the husband of one wife… he will be able to exhort in sound doctrine and refute… If any man aspires to the office of overseer, it is a fine work he desires to do… must be above reproach, the husband of one wife” (Tit. 1:6, 9; 1 Tim. 3:1-2, emphasis mine). In 1 Tim. 3:3-8 male pronouns are used for elder descriptions 9 more times. Verses 8-10 and 12 affirm qualifications for male deacons as well. It is clear that God has called men to be shepherds/overseers and deacons. Though verse 11 connects women to the role of deacon with the statement, “likewise”, we also read, “I do not allow a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man” in 1 Tim. 2:11-12. “The women are to keep silent in the churches… it is improper for a woman to speak in church” (1 Cor. 14:34-35). Obviously, this is not to say women cannot speak, sing, or ask questions. Women are commanded to learn (1 Tim. 2:11), to teach younger women “what is good” (Tit. 2:3-4), and to serve but they are not permitted to preach, teach, or exercise leadership over a man (which would include the assembly). The keeping silent refers to the role of taking position among the brethren as an overseer. Scripture speaks clearly that women are to serve in different roles. They are to teach, counsel, and encourage other women and children. They can be deaconesses, counselors, Sunday school teachers, and much more but cannot be the shepherds. Proponents of equal rights for women often declare that these teachings by Paul are sexist and unfair. However, Paul couldn’t have been clearer that women are to be valued and commended for their service and great faith in the body of Christ. They simply have different roles. This ultimately didn’t come from Paul anyway but from the Lord as “all Scripture is breathed out by God” (2 Tim. 3:16).[1] The Lord is Triune. Each person of the Trinity is fully God yet has a unique role.[2] Christ didn’t declare it unfair that He doesn’t serve the way the Father does and as a result disobey the will of the Father to usurp authority. To do so would be sin. In perfect submission Christ and the Holy Spirit accept their roles as important yet different. The gifts that many women are given to teach, learn, and counsel are extraordinary and vital to the life of the church. Indeed we should praise God for our women. However, in a time where liberal theology is encouraging female elders, the truth must be declared that God has commanded it not be so.
[1] See response to Bibliology – 1 for more on God’s word being breathed out by Him.
[2] See response to Theology Proper – 1 for more on the Trinity.
4. What authority, if any, does the church have over individuals and the counseling process?
Christ is the highest authority over the church (Eph. 1:22-23, 4:15, Col. 1:18). His revealed word is the tool that must be used in expressing that authority.[1] The means by which God has chosen to deliver His truth to people is through gifted church leaders. God has given responsibility to these leaders to develop the purity and security of the church. They are to watch over the front door, the back door, and everything within the church. As a result of the role that they are given, believers are to, “Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with grief, for this would be unprofitable for you.” (Heb. 13:17). Watching the front door means making sure those who enter church membership demonstrate true conversion and recognize the responsibilities and commitments to the body (including believer’s baptism). Watching the back door refers to teaching the congregation to be sure that they are taking communion with the Lord in a worthy manner, examining their stance before Him, and dealing with sin in their hearts (1 Cor. 11:23-34). These responsibilities are for the shepherds. Counseling, like preaching, is a ministry of the word and an integral part of pastoral ministry. The pastor is to disciple church members formatively (preach, teach, lead) and correctively (rebuke, admonition, excommunication).[2]
The role of the brethren is clear in Scripture as well. All believers are given authority to be involved. The “one another’s” of Scripture explain the importance of being an interwoven family and body. Here are some summary commands that believers are exhorted to display with “one another”; bear burdens (Gal. 6:2), be at peace (Mark 9:50), love (John 13:34), devoted to (Rom. 12:10), same mind (Rom. 12:16), accept (Rom. 15:7), admonish (Rom. 15:14), serve (Gal. 5:13), patience (Eph. 4:2), truthful (Eph. 4:25), kind (Eph. 4:32), subject (Eph. 5:21), regard (Phil. 2:3), forgiving (Col. 3:13), comfort (1 Thess. 4:18), encourage (1 Thess. 5:11), stimulate (Heb. 10:24), confess sins, pray (Jas. 5:16), hospitable (1 Pet. 4:9). Non-elders of the church are to do very little formative discipline. Though members of the body are not to excommunicate a member for discipline issues, they are still commanded to be actively involved in correctively admonishing one another and bearing one another’s burdens. When the church is commanded to “go and make disciples…” (Matt. 28:18-20), it means to come along side believers (new or old) and teach them. When the church encourages, serves, and teaches one another the need for discipline becomes prevented. However, discipline is not meant to get rid of people. Church discipline in itself is about reconciliation. That is why there are so many steps laid out in Matt. 18:12-20. As Jay Adams writes, “Every believer in Jesus Christ has the right to be disciplined”.[3] Nobody, including the pastors should be defensive over being confronted over their sin since we are all sinners. The purpose for the church discipline procedure is to promote one-on-one interaction of brotherly love. It is in the case of arrogance, pride, and un-teachable spirits that we see the process go to bringing along two or three witnesses, telling it to the church, and then ultimately excommunication. All of this is to involve the whole church in a Biblical process of helping people through sin. It is so important that the church be pure that God gave many steps just in case it doesn’t affect the person the first or second time. This is gracious! However harsh it may seem to some, this authority the Lord has given to the church is to disciple one another for the glory of the Lord and the purity of His church.
[1] See responses to Bibliology - #2 and #3.
[2] Many of these analogies of shepherding the doors of the church and corrective/formative discipline are from “The Deliberate Church” by Mark Dever and Paul Alexander, p. 67.
[3] Jay Adams, A Theology of Christian Counseling, p. 288
The role of the brethren is clear in Scripture as well. All believers are given authority to be involved. The “one another’s” of Scripture explain the importance of being an interwoven family and body. Here are some summary commands that believers are exhorted to display with “one another”; bear burdens (Gal. 6:2), be at peace (Mark 9:50), love (John 13:34), devoted to (Rom. 12:10), same mind (Rom. 12:16), accept (Rom. 15:7), admonish (Rom. 15:14), serve (Gal. 5:13), patience (Eph. 4:2), truthful (Eph. 4:25), kind (Eph. 4:32), subject (Eph. 5:21), regard (Phil. 2:3), forgiving (Col. 3:13), comfort (1 Thess. 4:18), encourage (1 Thess. 5:11), stimulate (Heb. 10:24), confess sins, pray (Jas. 5:16), hospitable (1 Pet. 4:9). Non-elders of the church are to do very little formative discipline. Though members of the body are not to excommunicate a member for discipline issues, they are still commanded to be actively involved in correctively admonishing one another and bearing one another’s burdens. When the church is commanded to “go and make disciples…” (Matt. 28:18-20), it means to come along side believers (new or old) and teach them. When the church encourages, serves, and teaches one another the need for discipline becomes prevented. However, discipline is not meant to get rid of people. Church discipline in itself is about reconciliation. That is why there are so many steps laid out in Matt. 18:12-20. As Jay Adams writes, “Every believer in Jesus Christ has the right to be disciplined”.[3] Nobody, including the pastors should be defensive over being confronted over their sin since we are all sinners. The purpose for the church discipline procedure is to promote one-on-one interaction of brotherly love. It is in the case of arrogance, pride, and un-teachable spirits that we see the process go to bringing along two or three witnesses, telling it to the church, and then ultimately excommunication. All of this is to involve the whole church in a Biblical process of helping people through sin. It is so important that the church be pure that God gave many steps just in case it doesn’t affect the person the first or second time. This is gracious! However harsh it may seem to some, this authority the Lord has given to the church is to disciple one another for the glory of the Lord and the purity of His church.
[1] See responses to Bibliology - #2 and #3.
[2] Many of these analogies of shepherding the doors of the church and corrective/formative discipline are from “The Deliberate Church” by Mark Dever and Paul Alexander, p. 67.
[3] Jay Adams, A Theology of Christian Counseling, p. 288