The Church is a member of the body of Christ! The body of Christ has many members and different functions! Every born-again Christian is part of this membership and we all have different roles assigned to us by God in promoting the work of His kingdom on earth.
Although Christian worship Centres are generally referred to as Churches! Per the teachings of the new testament, Christians are the Church and not the buildings or the worship centres!
However, being addressed as a Church is not an excuse to stay away from fellowshipping and worshipping together with other believers. There is a blessing through fellowship and collective worship! The Bible says, "not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10:25
CHURCH HISTORY BACKGROUND!
The Church of Jesus started in the upper room in Jerusalem when the followers of Jesus received the baptism of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost! From the days of the twelve Apostles of Jesus and the earlier civilisation until now, the church body has spread through different nations of the earth.
The Church has evolved to accommodate diverse cultural practices, adapting to different people while still maintaining the core beliefs of the gospel of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. (Acts 2)
MISSION AND FUNCTION OF THE CHURCH
As the church continues to increase in numbers, we the members that make up the body of Christ have been called to be sold out for God and continue from where Jesus left off. The lifestyle of Jesus is the model that every Christian must follow; He always set time aside to communicate with God the Father, provided spiritual guidance, and nurture the faith of many through sermons, teachings, and counselling. (Matthew 4:23-24)
Additionally, Jesus supported the needy, healed the sick and express the love of the Father to the world! These are what stand out as the mission and function of the church that every member of the body of Christ must follow and live for.
CHURCH STRUCTURE AND PRACTICE
The structure and practice of the church is who we are as a church! The church is on a mission; expanding God's kingdom on earth by reaching out through structure and practice, winning souls and equipping them to reproduce Christ in others.
The scriptures say, "And He gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ," Ephesians 4ː11-12.
The Scripture above is known as the fivefold ministry! It's the main vehicle through which the structure and practice of the church are manifested. It's for equipping and bringing to maturity the members of the body of Christ. The fivefold ministry gifts reveal different aspects of Jesus that should be operated together for the edifying of the body of Christ. It also helps to reveal the complete image of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
1) Apostle
The apostolic ministry is a gift that cut across a certain people, region, or nation.
Like Apostle Paul who was called to the Gentiles. Their role is to make disciples and
start new places of meeting together for worship in regions that have none. They can extend worship centres to regions and areas where there are few congregations or none at all. They are people of vision and always have a mission in mind to be accomplished. They are a blessing to the body of Christ especially in expansion!
2) Prophet
The prophetic gift is not about the information they have, it's the ability to receive the information or the ability to receive accurate information from God. One unique aspect of the Prophetic gift is that the bible was written with the gift. Their proclamation is the truth about the almighty God, including His law and His grace. They are blessing to the body of Christ, especially in receiving an accurate word from God.
3) Evangelist
They are not only necessary outside the church but also necessary inside the
church. They always see the need to go out for evangelism. They remind the church
not to sit in the worship centres, loving God or feeling good for what God is doing but to also go out there and bring lost souls to be part of the loving God or feeling-good!
They are a blessing to the members of the body of Christ especially in winning the lost souls back to God.
4) Teacher
Teachers are known for bringing the church to maturity in faith, hope, and obedience to God. They help believers in Christ to prepare them and to make needed changes in their lives in responding to God's word. A teacher helps the members of the body of Christ
with the clarity of God’s word. They are blessing to the members of the body of Christ, especially in helping to bring the church to maturity of faith.
5) Pastor
Pastors are Patient, willing to hear, and direct. They have all the patience to listen to everything you have to say. They provide a wide range of leadership and carry the members of the body of Christ through patience in leadership and walking by faith.
Pastor helps the church in developing their ministries and in training workers to be effective in their role, planning out the purpose and goals of the church as a group. They are a blessing to the members of the body of Christ especially in training leaders to take over leadership roles!
THE HOLY SPIRIT AND THE CHURCH!
And I will pray to the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever" John 14ː16.
The Holy Spirit is the power and strength of the Church. Without the presence of the Holy Spirit the church or members of the body of Christ would not have made such a wonderful impact around the world!
The Holy Spirit is sent to be with the church, teaching us and helping us as in a court of justice by defending us and pleading a cause for us. An advocate can also be a better word to describe the Holy Spirit in our lives. He is the spirit of Jesus Christ that lives everywhere at the same time.
Jesus was limited in His physical body when He was on this earth as a man. He could only be in one place physically at a time. Now, with the Holy Spirit, He is Jesus in every place at the same time. "I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you" John 14ː18.
He said it here that He will come to you. He has truly come to you in the person of the
Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the one who makes Jesus and the Father real to us.
Irrespective of how many Christians are around the world, Jesus can be with billions of people at the same time through the person of the Holy Spirit. Also, Jesus can be very personal with you through the person and power of the Holy Spirit if you allow Him.
In conclusion, Church gatherings are significant institutions that offer spiritual nourishment, community support, and a platform for people to express and explore their faith. Those who appreciate and join a local church gathering can benefit from these gatherings by also contributing to a stronger and more connected community.
PRAYER
“The Lord bless you and keep you; The Lord make His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you; The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, And give you peace.”’