A Biblically Sound Church – Called Out Ones

I often hear people say how it’s becoming harder to find a biblically sound church. Unfortunately, many of us have found ourselves experiencing the sadness and loneliness of having to leave a church that had been ‘home’ for many years. But why does this happen? Here are some common reasons:

• false teaching and practices
• unbiblical or weak leadership
• greater focus on humanitarian issues instead of gospel evangelism
• false sense of unity
• our own lack of conviction or willingness to speak up for fear of offending

Millard Erickson in his book ‘Introducing Christian Doctrine’ indicates that if we consider the church in terms of a social science, we miss looking at it biblically. I think he hit the nail on the head! Many churches today would rather emphasise the humanitarian and social benefits of attendance rather than the Biblical foundations for why church exists. So then, what is the Biblical perspective of the church?

Called Out Ones

The word for church used in the New Testament is the biblical Greek word Ekklesia.   It’s comprised of two separate words ‘ek’ (out of/from) and ‘kaleo’ (to call).  

Simply put Ekklesia means those who are called out and it’s where we get the word Ecclesiology. If you want to look this up for yourself a good place to start is a Strong’s Concordance or a Lexicon. If you don’t have have access to these materials, the following link may help: Biblehub.com

Called Out From Where?  

All believers have been called out from darkness (1 Peter 2:9) and out of death into life (John 5:24). We have been rescued from the kingdom of Satan into God’s kingdom.

Called Out By Whom?  

God Himself called us into fellowship with Jesus (1 Corinthians 1:9) and Jesus Himself purchased the church with His own blood (1 Peter 1:18-19).  

Called out for a Purpose

Romans tells us that the church is the body of Christ (12:4-5) and we are called according to God’s purpose (8:28).  One of the great truths we are mandated to share is the Gospel, and in doing so we disciple and baptise (Matt. 28:19), with the help of the Holy Spirit (John 14:16-17).

The biblical basis for the church is a local and global gathering of people who have been called out of darkness into light by God, through Christ and are now indwelt by the Holy Spirit. Those who are part of the church are called to then evangelise, baptise and make disciples.

Does this mean unbelievers cannot be in the church? Unbelievers can certainly visit and attend a church – after all we want them to hear the Gospel and be saved! The problem arises when churches begin to treat unbelievers as if they are part of the body. If you are in a church that uses terminology such as ‘belong then believe’, or allows unbelievers to serve within the body, you are likely in a church that is not too interested in differentiating the wheat from the tares. I would advise someone to leave such a church as it is clearly not being faithful to the Biblical basis for why church exists.

Curious to know when the church began? Read A Biblically Sound Church – Origins