The questions/Trail: The Church

Why do I need the church?

The church is not optional for the Christian: it is the family and body of Christ, the place where the Spirit works through word and sacrament, where gifts serve the whole, and where believers are built up and sent out. Lone Christianity is not biblical Christianity.

This question arose from studying What does it mean that we were made for relationship?.

Begin by reading

Go into the Word

Not a summary of these passages: the passages themselves. Read them, then come back to the study below.

The study

What the Scripture says

The church is the body of Christ

You are the body of Christ, and members individually. We who are many are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. The church is not a building or a meeting; it is the people in whom Christ dwells by His Spirit.

Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually.

1 Corinthians 12:27

For even as we have many members in one body, and all the members don’t have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.

Romans 12:4-5

He put all things in subjection under his feet, and gave him to be head over all things for the assembly, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.

Ephesians 1:22-23

We need each other to grow

The whole body grows and builds itself up in love as each part does its work. Do not forsake the assembling of yourselves together, but encourage one another, and all the more as you see the day approaching. Growth is communal.

but speaking truth in love, we may grow up in all things into him, who is the head, Christ; from whom all the body, being fitted and knit together through that which every joint supplies, according to the working in measure of each individual part, makes the body increase to the building up of itself in love.

Ephesians 4:15-16

Let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good works, not forsaking our own assembling together, as the custom of some is, but exhorting one another; and so much the more, as you see the Day approaching.

Hebrews 10:24-25

God's gifts are given for the church

As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. Your gift was given to build the body, not to sit unused.

As each has received a gift, employ it in serving one another, as good managers of the grace of God in its various forms.

1 Peter 4:10

But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the profit of all.

1 Corinthians 12:7

for the perfecting of the saints, to the work of serving, to the building up of the body of Christ;

Ephesians 4:12

It is where the new life is lived out

They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and prayer. And the Lord added to the assembly day by day those who were being saved. The new life is lived together.

They continued steadfastly in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and prayer.

Acts 2:42

Day by day, continuing steadfastly with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread at home, they took their food with gladness and singleness of heart, praising God, and having favor with all the people. The Lord added to the assembly day by day those who were being saved.

Acts 2:46-47

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your heart to the Lord.

Colossians 3:16

As you read, you may wonder…

Scripture raises the next question

Studying the Word naturally opens more of it. Follow what you just read: it leads somewhere.

What is baptism?→“Go,and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,”What is the Lord's Supper?→“For I received from the Lord that which also I delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night in which he was betrayed took bread. When he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “Take, eat. This is my body, which is broken for you. Do this in memory of me.” In the same way he also took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink, in memory of me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.”What does a healthy church look like?→“They continued steadfastly in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and prayer.”What is church discipline?→““If your brother sins against you, go, show him his fault between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained back your brother. But if he doesn’t listen, take one or two more with you, that at the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the assembly. If he refuses to hear the assembly also, let him be to you as a Gentile or a tax collector.”

Hold onto these

Verses to meditate on