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ATTITUDE TO THE CHURCH

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church inside

Photo Credit: Debby Hudson

ATTITUDE TO THE CHURCH

             The church is the community of all true believers of all time, whom God called out from the world to participate in His salvific program. The church is the body of Christ, and Christ is the head (Eph 1:22–23). The Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved (Acts 2:47). The church is local but universal. The metaphors used for the church are: family (1 Tim 5:1-2), bride of Christ (Eph 5:32), branches on a vine (Jn 15:5), a live tree (Rom 11:17-24), field of crops (1 Cor 3:6-9), a building (1 Cor 3:9), a new temple (1 Pt 2:5), and God's house (Heb 3:3). The main ministers of the church are: apostles, pastors, evangelists, teachers, prophets, deacons, and other ministers. The important events of the church are: baptism, holy communion, worship, prayer, fellowship, the ministry of the word of God, evangelism, and so on. Following are the essential attitudes that every believer needs to have in his or her spiritual life towards the church.

ATTITUDE OF UNITY IN DIVERSITY (1 Cor 12:12-20)

There is no difference between believers in the church on the basis of background (v.13), race, language, status in society, or gender (Gal 3:28). There is also no difference among the members of the church on the basis of functional or positional difference (1 Cor 12:14-20, Rom 12:3-8). There may be diversity in function, as seen in the diverse functions of the parts of the body (v.14), but personification claims or prominence claims based on functional differences cannot be entertained in the church (vv.17-18). Everyone in the church has his or her own God-given function and responsibilities. However, it is our responsibility to maintain unity while we allow diversity in function and background. We encourage “one body” (v.20) in diversity. Our diversity is not a means of division but a means of unity in Christ because we all have received the same Holy Spirit and one Christ (1 Cor 12:13; Gal 3:28). We all are equal and united in Christ in the church irrespective of our diversities. In John 17:20-22, Jesus prayed for all believers to be "one" as He and His Father are one. In Acts 1:14, the disciples were "all" with "one accord" continuing steadfastly in prayer (worship). Unity of purpose and attitude showed itself in people being together for worship. In Acts 4:24, the church met (v.23) and raised their voice to God "with one accord" in time of persecution. Again, unity showed itself in assembled worship.

ATTITUDE OF INTERDEPENDENCY IN INDEPENDENCY (1 Cor 12:21–26)

God has placed us in the church in an interdependent relationship (v.21). This does not deny our independency. In this interdependent relationship, one cannot reject or ignore the less honorable part (vv.22–24). There should not be any division among us, but we need to express our equal concern for everyone in the church (v.25). It should be a mutual and reciprocal concern (v.26). Our interdependency can be expressed through our loving relationship and spiritual support that we share.

LOVING RELATIONSHIP

Romans 12:5: So in Christ we, who are many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.
Eph 4:2–3: Be completely humble and gentle; be patient; bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.
The most common term for Christians in the New Testament is brothers. "Let brotherly love continue," we read in Hebrews 13:1. A particular Greek word, philadelphia, is used in such places to mean "brotherly love."

BUILDING UP ENCOURAGEMENT

Ephesians 4:29-32: 29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
1 Thessalonians 5:11: Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

THE SPIRITUAL COVER AND SUPPORT

James 5:16: Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.
Acts 12:5: So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him.

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