In writing to the brethren in Ephesus, Paul explained that “the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known through the church” (Ephesians 3:10). But when did the Lord decide that He would do this?
Some believe that Jesus “failed” to establish His kingdom when He came to earth so He established the church in its place until He returns a second time and will then set up His kingdom. However, the church was not established as an afterthought. It was not a backup plan. In fact, Jesus indicated that the church and the kingdom were the same, as He used the terms interchangeably (Matthew 16:18-19). Paul said that the Lord’s plan to make known God’s wisdom through the church was “in accordance with the eternal purpose which He carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Ephesians 3:11).
Elsewhere in this letter, Paul described the church as the body and the bride of Christ (Ephesians 1:22-23; 5:23-24). This means that the church belongs to Him and is directed by Him. So what is Christ’s plan for His church? Let us consider a few points.
To Build His Church
“I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it” (Matthew 16:18).
This is something He has already done. Christ’s church has already been established. Yet when Jesus was talking with His disciples, He promised to build it because it did not yet exist.
His promise was to do this soon. Shortly after promising to build His church, He told His disciples, “Truly I say to you, there are some of those who are standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom” (Matthew 16:28). Mark’s account indicates that the kingdom would “come with power” (Mark 9:1). Jesus told His disciples that they would “receive power when the Holy Spirit [would] come upon [them]” (Acts 1:8). This occurred on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1-4). Following the first gospel sermon, “three thousand souls” obeyed the gospel and “the Lord added [them] to the church” (Acts 2:41, 47, KJV). Therefore, we can see from the Scriptures that Jesus’ plan to build His church was accomplished on the day of Pentecost following His resurrection and ascension.
Jesus only built one church (Matthew 16:18). Paul wrote, “There is one body” (Ephesians 4:4). This referred to the church (Ephesians 1:22-23). God adds people to this church (Acts 2:41, 47). Any church built by someone else is not Christ’s church.
To Equip His Church
“And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and 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” (Ephesians 4:11-12).
The “body of Christ” refers to the church (cf. Ephesians 1:22-23). In this passage, Paul described something that Jesus has also already done. Christ has equipped the church with everything it needed:
- Apostles and prophets – These were given temporarily. We know this because apostles had to be a “witness” of Jesus (Acts 1:21-22) and the gift of prophecy would be “done away” (1 Corinthians 13:8). However, we have their writings preserved for us in the New Testament.
- Evangelists, pastors, and teachers – These exist perpetually as long as the church exists. Paul told Timothy, “The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also” (2 Timothy 2:2). The work that men like Timothy were to do (cf. 1 Timothy 4:6; 2 Timothy 4:2) continues from generation to generation.
- Individual members – Every member of a congregation has different ways in which they can contribute to the work (Romans 12:3-8). As “each individual part” is involved, the result is “the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love” (Ephesians 4:16). We must each contribute to the work of the church as we can according to our individual abilities and opportunities.
In equipping the church, Christ has perfectly equipped it. Those individuals that make up the church (evangelists, pastors, teachers, and other individual members) are able to grow in maturity and build up the body (Ephesians 4:13-16). The reason why we are able to do this is because God’s word has been revealed to us. We can “grow up in all aspects” as we are “speaking the truth in love” (Ephesians 4:15). In His word we have “everything pertaining to life and godliness” (2 Peter 1:3). The church has everything it needs if we, as members of it, follow the word. This was why Paul told the Ephesian elders, “And now I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up” (Acts 20:32).
The church is equipped through what He has given in His word. Therefore, we must not add to it, take away from it, or change His word that directs us (Revelation 22:18-19; 2 Peter 3:16).
To Lead His Church
“For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, He Himself being the Savior of the body. But as the church is subject to Christ, so also the wives ought to be to their own husbands in everything” (Ephesians 5:23-24).
This is something that continues today. As the head, Christ leads His church and we must follow. We are to be subject to Him “in everything” (Ephesians 5:24).
The reason why we are to be subject to Him “in everything” (Ephesians 5:24) is because He has been given “all authority” (Matthew 28:18). Therefore, we must do what He has instructed us to do. His will has been revealed through the apostles. They were told, “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you” (Matthew 28:19-20). Shortly before His death, He promised them that they would be guided by the Holy Spirit to remember what Jesus taught, to receive testimony about Him, and to be guided “into all the truth” (John 14:26; 15:26-27; 16:13). The apostles would then teach with the same authority as Christ (1 Corinthians 14:37; 2 Peter 3:2). The New Testament is made up of the writings of inspired men who received their message from the Holy Spirit (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
Christ is still head of the church today (Ephesians 5:23). Even elders in the local church are subject to Him (1 Peter 5:2-4). Apostasy comes when men attempt to usurp His authority. When discussing the day of the Lord, Paul wrote, “Let no one in any way deceive you, for it will not come unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, who exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, displaying himself as being God” (2 Thessalonians 2:3-4). In principle, this would apply to any religious leader that tries to lead others to follow them rather than Christ (i.e. the Pope, denominational leaders, one-man “pastors,” etc.). We must only follow those who follow Christ (cf. 1 Corinthians 11:1).
The Lord still leads His church and we must submit to Him in all that we do (Ephesians 5:23-24; Colossians 3:17). No one has a right to assume the authority to lead others in a different direction.
To Save His Church
“Christ also is the head of the church, He Himself being the Savior of the body” (Ephesians 5:23).
This is something that He will do when He returns. Paul went on to write, “That He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy and blameless” (Ephesians 5:27). An illustration of a wedding feast is used in the book of Revelation to describe this (Revelation 19:7-9). A little bit later, John recorded, “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away, and there is no longer any sea. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, ‘Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them, and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away’” (Revelation 21:1-4). This bride of Christ (the church) will enjoy the reward of heaven.
Those who are “being saved” are added by God to the church (Acts 2:47). Who are the ones who are “being saved”? Notice what Luke recorded, “Now when they heard this, they were pierced to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, ‘Brethren, what shall we do?’ Peter said to them, ‘Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit’” (Acts 2:37-38). “So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and that day there were added about three thousand souls” (Acts 2:41). Those who are “being saved” are those who believe and obey the gospel (which includes repentance and baptism).
Once in the church, we must remain faithful so as to not forfeit our salvation. The Hebrew writer warned about this: “Therefore, do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised” (Hebrews 10:35-36). We must be “faithful until death” in order to receive “the crown of life” (Revelation 2:10).
Salvation is only in Christ. Peter said, “There is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). Those who are outside of Him will be lost.
Conclusion
Men have many plans for their churches. Yet we need to remember Christ’s plan for His church – He built His church, equipped His church, leads His church, and will save His church. We need to faithfully serve Him in His church today if we hope to be saved.
Excellent article on the church. Thanks for a very clear lesson.
Thank you!