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The Christian Church
INCEPTION
And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My Church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. (Matthew 16:18)
Although most Christians understand that the word “church” as used in Scripture refers to a local group of individuals who subscribe to the teachings of Christianity and join together in a specified structure (also called a “church”) at specified times during a week, they would only be partly correct.
The word “church,” a translation of the Greek word “ekklesia” – a compound word from “ek” (out) and “klesis” (a calling), which is used 117 times in the New Testament – refers to a group of people “called out for a specific purpose” and is used in various ways in Scripture. It is used as a “lawful assembly” called out to discuss legal matters in Acts 19:39. In Acts 7:38 it refers to Israel, “the congregation in the wilderness.” And in Acts 19:32, 41 it refers to a confused crowd. In the book, The Time of the End (http://bibleone.net/TOTE.htm), Arlen L. Chitwood states the following regarding the word “church” in Scripture:
(The word “church” is a translation of the Greek word ekklesia, a compound word that means “called out” [ek, meaning “out”; and klesis, meaning “to call”]. The word is used 115 times in the New Testament, and in all except five instances it is used of Christians. It is used of the nation of Israel or those in Israel three times [Matthew 18:17; Acts 7:38], and it is used of a gathering of mainly unsaved Gentiles twice [some Jews present (Acts 19:32, 39)]. And in the five instances where the word is not used of Christians it could be better translated “assembly,” understanding that “the assembly” was a called out group [Israel called out of the nations (Acts 7:38), or individuals called out of this nation (Matthew 18:17), or individuals called out from a Gentile nation (Acts 19:32, 39)].
The Hebrew text of the Old Testament uses a corresponding word, qehal, which the Septuagint [Greek version of the Old Testament] usually translates by using ekklesia. Qehal is found 112 times in the Old Testament, almost an equal number of times that the corresponding word, ekklesia, is found in the New Testament. Qehal is usually translated in the English text as “assembly” [Deuteronomy 9:10; 18:16] or “congregation” [Deuteronomy 23:1-3; 1 Kings 8:14], and sometimes as “company” [1 Samuel 19:20]. The word is used mainly of Israel or those in Israel, though a few times it is used of groups from among Gentile nations [Genesis 35:11; Ezekiel 23:46, 47; 26:7; 38:4, 7, 13, 15].
Thus, when the Greek text of the New Testament uses the word ekklesia, where Christians are involved [110 of the 115 times that the word appears], it is dealing with the saved alone [the saved of the present dispensation, those comprising the one new man “in Christ”]. The word “church” [ekklesia] is never used in the New Testament referring to an assembly of both Christians and Jews [including saved Jews comprising the nation during the time of the re-offer of the kingdom to Israel (from 33 AD to about 62 AD)] or to an assembly of both Christians and Gentiles. Rather, the word is always used only as a reference to those forming the one new man “in Christ,” which is neither Jew nor Gentile [Galatians 3:26-29; Colossians 3:10, 11].
In this respect, the Church [the ekklesia] of the New Testament, having to do with Christians alone, is one thing; and the usage of a corresponding word in the Old Testament [qehal (usually translated ekklesia in the Septuagint)], and the usage of ekklesia having to do with Israel or those in Israel three times in the New Testament, is another thing entirely. The word Church in the New Testament, when referring to the saved who are taken from among both the Jews and the Gentiles during the present dispensation [110 of the 115 times the word is used], began on the day of Pentecost in 33 AD and will be removed at the end of the dispensation.
And any type of teaching to the contrary is no more or no less than man’s flawed ideology brought over into his understanding of Scripture, seeking to interpret, through natural means, that which is spiritually discerned. Scripture though is to be interpreted solely from the spiritual side of matters, never from the natural. Scripture is to be interpreted in the light of Scripture, comparing that which is spiritual with that which is spiritual [1 Corinthians 2:10-13], with man’s thoughts and ideas on the matter of no moment whatsoever.)
Although in a few passages within the New Testament the word “church” refers to a small local gathering (assembly) of believers, e.g., within the home of Nymphas in Colossians 4:15, its most significant use is in referring to the entire body of believers in Christ.
And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the Church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all. (Ephesians 1:22, 23)
And He [Christ] is the head of the body, the Church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence. (Colossians 1:18)
I now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ, for the sake of His body, which is the Church. (Colossians 1:24)
Indeed, when a person who is “dead [spiritually] in trespasses and sins” (Ephesians 2:1) realizes his spiritual condition and then makes the decision to believe (place his faith) in Jesus Christ alone for his eternal salvation (John 3:16; Acts 16:30, 31; Ephesians 2:8, 9), he is instantly placed into the “body of Christ” to forever be a member of it, a position that can never be taken from him by man or God.
For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body – whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free – and have all been made to drink into one Spirit. (1 Corinthians 12:13)
This eternal, unchangeable condition of one’s salvation by and through faith in Christ is most appropriately expressed by Arlen L. Chitwood at the beginning of Chapter 1 in his book, Judgment Seat of Christ (http://bibleone.net/JSC.htm), as follows:
Eternal life is the free “gift of God,” obtained completely apart from works. Nothing that man does — not one single act, either before or after he becomes a recipient of this life — can have anything at all to do with his salvation, for he has been saved solely by grace through faith; and his salvation is based entirely on the work of Another.
Christ’s finished work at Calvary provides a means of salvation that fallen man can avail himself of by and through one revealed means alone: by and through receiving that which has already been accomplished on his behalf.
Works are involved in man’s presently possessed eternal salvation, but not man’s works. Rather, they are the works of the One who procured this salvation. Ruined man himself is totally incapable of works. He can’t operate in the spiritual realm, for he is “dead [spiritually] in trespasses and sins” (Ephesians 2:1).
Thus, since redeemed man had nothing to do with bringing to pass his presently possessed eternal salvation, he can never be brought into any type of judgment where the issue surrounds that which he acquired through Christ's finished work at Calvary. A judgment of this nature would not only be judging that which man had nothing to do with, but it would also be judging once again that which God has already judged. God judged sin at Calvary in the person of His Son, and God is satisfied.
Accordingly, the judgment seat of Christ cannot function in the realm of one’s eternal salvation. Decisions and determinations made at this judgment MUST be based solely upon the actions of the justified — actions following their coming into possession of eternal salvation.
For by grace you are saved [you have been saved] through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Not of works, lest any man should boast. (Ephesians 2:8, 9)
Not by works of righteousness that we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us . . . . (Titus 3:5a)
To properly understand issues surrounding the judgment seat of Christ one must begin with a due appreciation for the salvation that Christians presently possess — a salvation that is non-merited and non-forfeitable.
Salvation for fallen man is both free and apart from works, but the procurement of this salvation by God’s Son was by no means free and apart from works. God’s Son provided this salvation through a vicarious sacrifice — the sacrifice of Himself; and fallen man can do no more than simply receive that which has been provided.
Note the words “not of yourselves” and “that we have done” in Ephesians 2:8 and Titus 3:5. Both refer to the necessity of the total absence of works on man’s part in relation to eternal salvation. The work has already been accomplished; the price has already been paid. When Christ cried out on the cross, “It is finished" (John l9:30), He announced the completion of a redemptive work that He alone could bring to pass.
The words, “It is finished,” in John l9:30 are the translation of one word in the Greek text (Tetelestai). This word is in the perfect tense and could be better translated, “It has been finished.” That is, at this point, everything relating to the work of redemption had been accomplished. Nothing more remained to be done; and, consequently, there was no need for Christ to delay His death. Accordingly, immediately after Christ cried out, “Tetelestai,” “He bowed His head and gave up His spirit [Greek: pneuma, ‘spirit,’ i.e., ‘breath’; He breathed out, expired].”
The perfect tense in the Greek text calls attention to a work completed in past time, with the results of this work extending into the present and existing in a finished state. This is the same verb tense used in Ephesians 2:8 relative to the present state of redeemed man (“you are saved”; literally “you have been saved”). Redeemed man is in possession of a salvation (present) wherein everything has already been accomplished (past) on his behalf.
The Holy Spirit has performed a work (breathing life into the one having no life [cf. Genesis 2:7; Ezekiel 37:1-10]) based on Christ’s completed work (at Calvary). Both are past works, and one can no more be nullified than the other.
Redeemed man is as totally helpless to undo anything that has been accomplished in bringing about his redemption as he was to do something to accomplish his redemption in the first place. Work completed in past time through divine intervention is not something that man can change, add to, take from, etc.
Consequently, contrary to what is often taught in certain quarters, redeemed man cannot nullify the past work of the Holy Spirit in effecting his present redeemed state, wrought on the basis of Christ’s finished work. Redeemed man can no more nullify the Spirit’s work in salvation than he can nullify Christ’s finished work at Calvary.
Both constitute past, completed works wrought through divine intervention, and man is completely powerless to act in these realms.
COMPOSITION
The composition (make-up) of the Christian Church, the “body of Christ,” is also described as a “building” in Scripture.
For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, you are God’s building. (1 Corinthians 3:9; cf. Ephesians 2:20; Colossians 2:7; Hebrews 3:3-4; 1Peter 2:5)
As such, the Christian Church may be viewed in terms of a building’s structure, such as its substructure (foundation), its construction (structure above the foundation), and its material classification.
Substructure
As previously stated and referenced, the Christian Church refers to the entire body of Christ. Notwithstanding the position held by the Roman Catholic Church, which holds that Christ declared that upon Peter (the first Pope) He would build His Church, an examination of the original language utilized in Matthew 16:18 reveals no such position.
And I also say to you that you are Peter [Gk: petros], and on this rock [Gk: petra] I will build My Church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. (Matthew 16:18)
The word for “Peter” (petros) means a “small stone” as used in John 1:42. The word for “rock” (petra) means a “foundation boulder or massive rock,” as in Matthew 7:24, 25 when Christ described the rock upon which the wise man builds his house. An appropriate interpretation of this verse and the use of the term “rock” as used by Christ, when evaluated within its context, is that Christ was referring to the statement made by Peter in verse 16, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God”– a statement declaring the DEITY of Christ – who indeed is the Chief Cornerstone, the Foundation, and the Head of the Church.
Let it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead . . . This is the “Stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the Chief Cornerstone.” Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved. (Acts 4:10-12; cf. Matthew 21:42; Ephesians 2:20; 1 Peter 2:6, 7)
For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 3:11)
. . . Christ is head of the Church; and He is the Savior of the body. (Ephesians 5:23)
And He [Christ] is the head of the body, the Church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence. (Colossians 1:18)
The only possible conclusion is that Jesus Christ is indeed the Foundation and Head of the Christian Church. And more importantly, the only reason the “gates of Hades shall not prevail against it,” is because it is founded on God Himself.
Construction
The construction of the Church, established upon the Foundation (Jesus Christ), the Chief Cornerstone, is composed of all who have believed in Jesus Christ, who have placed their faith in Him for their eternal salvation – nothing more, nothing less. The “apostles and prophets” are honored as a foundational element of the Church while all Christians are “fellow citizens” with all other “saints [i.e., Christians]”and are “members of the household of God.” All Christians are “joined together” and are described as a “body” or a “building” that is growing into a “holy temple in the Lord . . . [and] being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.”
Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the Chief Cornerstone, in whom the whole building, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit. (Ephesians 2:19-22)
There is one body . . . joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love. (Ephesians 4:4a, 16b)
. . . we are members of one another. (Ephesians 4:25b)
So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. (Romans 12:5)
For we, though many, are one bread and one body; for we all partake of that one bread [i.e., Christ (John 6:48)]. (1 Corinthians 10:17)
Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually. (1 Corinthians 12:27)
And He put all things under His [Christ] feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the Church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all. (Ephesians 1:22, 23)
. . . Christ is head of the Church; and He is the Savior of the body. . . . For we are members of His body, of His flesh and of His bones. (Ephesians 5:23b, 30)
I now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ, for the sake of His body, which is the Church. (Colossians 1:24)
Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? (1 Corinthians 3:16)
For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body – whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free – and have all been made to drink into one Spirit. For in fact the body is not one member but many. (1 Corinthians 12:13, 14)
Material Classification
The Christian Church is made up of individuals from all walks of life, those who have placed their faith in Jesus Christ. And Scripture declares that a person’s background or nature prior to becoming a Christian is irrelevant. The identity of the Church rests not in the ancestral background of its members who come from both the Jews and the Greeks (Gentiles). Once an individual from any path of life has placed his faith in Christ he may only be considered a child of the living God, a member of the “Body of Christ” – in other words, a “Christian.”
And other sheep I [Christ] have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one Shepherd. (John 10:16)
For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. (Romans 10:12)
For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body – whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free – and have all been made to drink into one Spirit. (1 Corinthians 12:13)
For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision [Jews] nor uncircumcision [Gentiles] avails anything, but faith working through love. (Galatians 5:6)
For He [Christ] Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation. (Ephesians 2:14)
Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, but Christ is all and in all. (Colossians 3:11)
COMMISSION
The commission (assignment/directive) of the Church rests in what is often called the Great Commission, which Christ gave post-resurrection to eleven of His disciples upon a mountain in Galilee.
And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen. (Matthew 28:18-20; cf. Mark 16:15; Luke 24:47)
The commission encompasses two goals of God’s grace gift to man.
Firstly, Christians are to “make disciples of all the nations” – that is to share the first phase of the gospel (Gk: euaggalion, good news) of Jesus Christ, to make clear how those who are “dead in trespasses and sins” may obtain eternal life – the salvation of the spirit.
And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins. . . . even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved). (Ephesians 2:1, 5; cf. Colossians 2:13)
But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross . . . . (Ephesians 2:13-16a)
For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. (Ephesians 2:8, 9)
Most assuredly, I [Christ] say to you, he who believes in Me has everlasting life. (John 6:47)
Secondly, Christians are to teach those who have recently obtained eternal life to “observe all things that I have commanded you.” This encompasses the second phase of the gospel of Christ, which is to bring young (immature) Christians to a position of maturity in Christ – a position that encompasses the entire goal (purpose) of man’s redemption, the salvation of the soul.
Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted Word, which is able to save your souls. (James 1:21; cf. 1 Peter 2:11)
But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul. (Hebrews 10:39)
Receiving the end of your faith – the salvation of your souls. (1 Peter 1:9; cf. 2 Peter 1:2-11)
The reader is encouraged to read the book, Salvation of the Soul by Arlen L. Chitwood, which may be obtained by clicking on the following link: http://bibleone.net/SOS.htm from which the following “Foreword” is taken:
The salvation of the soul is one of the most misunderstood subjects in Scripture. And it is misunderstood because of the way most Christians view salvation. Contrary to common belief, the salvation of the soul has nothing to do with man’s eternal destiny. Biblical teachings surrounding eternal salvation are always related to the spiritual part of man, never the soulical, and are centered in one realm alone — in Christ’s finished work at Calvary.
And the salvation message, having to do with Christ’s finished work at Calvary and one’s eternal destiny, is very simple: “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved [made possible through that which Christ has done on man’s behalf] . . .” (Acts 16:31). But the salvation of the soul is dealt with after an entirely different fashion in Scripture. Rather than Christ’s past work at Calvary being in view, His present work as High Priest is in view; and rather than the unsaved being in view, only Christians are in view.
Christ is presently performing a work as High Priest, on the basis of His shed blood on the mercy seat, to effect a cleansing from sin for the kingdom of priests that He is about to bring forth. And Christ’s present work in this respect relates to Christians and to the saving of the soul.
Scripture deals with the salvation of the soul in relation to the present faithfulness of Christians, and this salvation will be realized only at the end of one’s faith (1 Peter 1:9). And a realization of this salvation is associated with rewards, Christ’s return, and His kingdom (cf. Matthew 16:24-17:5; Hebrews 10:35-39).
Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted Word, which is able to save your souls [the souls of Christians, those who have ‘passed from death unto life,’ the only ones in a position to receive ‘the implanted Word’ (1 Corinthians 2:14)]. (James 1:21)
Christians talk about soul-winning in connection with the unsaved. And soul-winning conferences are held with this same end in view. But this is not the way Scripture deals with soul-winning at all.
Soul-winning, as seen in Scripture, has to do with reaching those who already possess eternal life (those who have a redeemed spirit, those who have “passed from death unto life”), not with reaching those who are still “dead in trespasses and sins.” Soul-winning, rather than having to do with the free gift of eternal life, has to do with the faithfulness of the saved (resulting in works), a just recompense of reward, and life in the coming kingdom of Christ.
Soul-winning is reaching Christians with the Word of the Kingdom, reaching those who have already believed on the Lord Jesus Christ with the message concerning the purpose for their salvation.
Furthermore, in line with the second phase of the Church’s commission, the bringing to spiritual maturity those who have been saved through the teaching of God’s Word (Bible doctrine), the reader is furthermore encouraged to read the study entitled “The Home Church,” which may be obtained by clicking on the following link: http://bibleone.net/home-church.htm.
INSTRUMENTATION
The Church’s instruments, the tools in which it is to accomplish its mission (commission) are twofold.
Personnel
All Christians are an integral (essential, vital, fundamental) part of the “body of Christ,” each one just as important as the other. All have a critical task to perform even though such may not rise to fruition.
Nevertheless, each Christian, regardless of the role assigned to him or her, is just as significant as any other (Christian) in the eyes of God who sees all through the blood (sacrifice) of His Son. This being the case, each Christian should recognize and genuinely love all other Christians as they perform the “work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ (Ephesians 4:12).”
For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body – whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free – and have all been made to drink into one Spirit. For in fact the body is not one member but many. If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I am not of the body,” is it therefore not of the body? And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I am not of the body,” is it therefore not of the body? If the whole body were an eye, where would be the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where would be the smelling? But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body just as He pleased. And if they were all one member, where would the body be? But now indeed there are many members, yet one body. And the eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you”; nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” No, much rather, those members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary. And those members of the body which we think to be less honorable, on these we bestow greater honor; and our unpresentable parts have greater modesty, but our presentable parts have no need. But God composed the body, having given greater honor to that part which lacks it, that there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another. And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it. Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually. (1 Corinthians 12:13-27; cf. Galatians 3:28; Ephesians 2:16; Colossians 3:11)
In addition to this, God selects specific individuals, in various capacities, to advance His program for the human race. And it should be definitely noted that each selection is for the purpose of achieving spiritual maturity in each member of the body of Christ, that each may come to a full “knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.”
And He [Christ] Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers [lit. pastor-teachers], for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head – Christ – from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love. (Ephesians 4:11-16)
Holy Scripture
The exclusive source of Truth that Christians are to study and to assimilate is God’s Word, the Living Word as is revealed by the Spirit of God in the Written Word.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. . . . And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:1, 14)
But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My [Christ] name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. . . . However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you. (John 14:26; 16:13, 14)
For prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. (2 Peter 1:21; cf. Luke 1:70; Acts 1:16; 3:18)
It is only by and through an accurate understanding of Scripture (the “Word”) a Christian is able to grow from an infant/carnal state to one of spiritual maturity, to advance from spirit-salvation to soul-salvation.
In some areas of Scripture this process is labeled “sanctification,” which literally is the process of “setting apart” one who is a “babe” in Christ to the extent that he no longer needs only the “milk” of the Word, but now can digest the “meat” (solid food) of the Word and is able to live thereby.
And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ. I fed you with milk and not with solid food; for until now you were not able to receive it . . . . (1 Corinthians 3:1, 2a)
Sanctify them [Christians] by Your truth. Your Word is truth. (John 17:17)
It is only the Word of God that is “profitable for doctrine . . . for instruction in righteousness,” and by which “the man of God may be complete [spiritually mature], thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
All Scripture is given by inspiration of God [lit. “God-breathed”], and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16, 17)
It is only the Word of God that is alive and powerful enough to bring a Christian from spirit-salvation to soul-salvation.
For the Word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12)
It is only the Word of God (i.e., a mature understanding of it) that provides a blessed and purifying hope for the Christian.
For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope. (Romans 15:4)
The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints. (Ephesians 1:18)
To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. (Colossians 1:27)
Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ, by the commandment of God our Savior and the Lord Jesus Christ, our hope. (1 Timothy 1:1)
Looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ. . . . that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. (Titus 2:13; 3:7)
Thus God, determining to show more abundantly to the heirs of promise the immutability of His counsel, confirmed it by an oath, that by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we might have strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us. (Hebrews 6:17, 18)
And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure. (1 John 3:3)
DESTINATION
Although many, if not most, Christians simply believe that the destination of a Christian (i.e., the Church) after death is “heaven” with little understanding as to its meaning, this would be a misconception.
But since this topic could double the length of this study, the following points will be expressed, followed by links to studies/books that will appropriately elucidate that which Christians will face upon their exit from this temporal existence.
Points
1) Christians will face judgment at the Judgment Seat of Christ after they leave this life (Matthew 16:24-27; Romans 14:10, 12; 1 Corinthians 3:11-15; 2 Corinthians 5:9-11; Colossians 3:23-25; Hebrews 10:30).
2) After their appearance and their verdict at the Judgment Seat of Christ, Christians will experience either positively or negatively the Millennial Kingdom, a period of 1,000 years of the reign of Christ with His bride (Christians found to be “overcomers” at the Judgment Seat of Christ) over the earth (2 Timothy 2:12; Revelation 19:4).
3) At the end of the Millennial Kingdom, the Messianic Era, all Christians will experience the eternal ages that will follow (Revelation 21:1-5).
Links to studies/book
1) Salvation of the Soul -- http://bibleone.net/SOS.htm
2) Mysteries of the Kingdom -- http://bibleone.net/MK.htm
3) The Judgment Seat of Christ -- http://bibleone.net/JSC.htm
4) The Time of the End -- http://bibleone.net/TOTE.htm
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