The Mission of the Church by Wayne E. Ward

Based on Matthew 16: 18-19, This means that what the church is carrying out on earth is the purpose of God which has already been determined in heaven.  The church is doing the work of heaven on earth, according to God's plan.

The Acts of the Apostles is the story of the New Testament church in action.

The church was always a witnessing community.  Its whole reason for existence was to declare the marvelous story of redemption in Jesus Christ; to receive those who responded to their word, baptize them, and continue with them in the apostles' doctrine, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayers.

Wayne E. Ward was professor of Christian theology at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary from 1951 to 1991.  The above is a direct quote from his book "The Drama of Redemption," written in 1966 on pages 114 and 116.

The Church by Wayne E. Ward

It is extremely important to observe, then, that while Luke primarily uses the term "church" to designate the local congregation of disciples, he can also use it in a general reference to many of these congregations considered together.  He is certainly not referring to some regional organization which administered all these congregations, for there was no such thing.  And he is certainly not referring to some invisible or mystical "church" which is distinct from the local congregations throughout his region.  But he certainly is referring to the common life in Christ, which is shared by all these congregations, wherever they are gathered with Christ in their midst.

In other words, the church never exists apart from an actual fellowship of Christian believers, the so-called "local" church.  Yet this fellowship is not only local.  It knows oneness with Christ who is universal, and brotherhood with all who are truly in Christ.  Without this, it cannot even be the church.  The so-called "universal" church is always embodied in an actual fellowship of Christian believers.  It is always seen in a "local" manifestation.  It cannot exist in some kind of suspended realm of ideas, detached from time and space.  That is Greek philosophy, but it is not the Bible!"

The church in the book of Acts (and throughout the New Testament) is a gathered community.  It is Christian disciples empowered by the Holy Spirit, proclaiming salvation in Jesus' name.

Wayne E. Ward was professor of Christian theology at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary from 1951 to 1991.  The above is a direct quote from his book "The Drama of Redemption," written in 1966 on pages 116-117.

The Real Definition of Church Membership by Wayne E. Ward

The foremost characteristic of this church is its dynamic unity (speaking of the church formed on the Day of Pentecost).  Membership in this community did not consist of a record book or an official letter which anyone carried.  Membership was actual presence and participation in the prayer, the witnessing, the fellowship, and the common life of the community.

That is what real membership in the church always is.  People who move away from their church community and do not promptly put their lives to work in a new church fellowship are not really members of the church in the New Testament sense of the word.  We say, "They have not moved their letter." But their "letter" is not their membership; it is simply a recommendation from brethren to brethren.  It means nothing unless it is used by actually joining the brethren.  Nor is membership simply the record of some former relationship to a congregation of Christian believers.  It is active participation in the living fellowship of the church.  

Its members shared a common life in Christ, and they were empowered by the one Holy Spirit.  This is the church that Jesus built!

(Wayne E. Ward was professor of Christian theology at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary from 1951 to 1991.  The above is a direct quote from his book "The Drama of Redemption," on page 115 written in 1966.)

The Church is the Greatest Organization on the Face of the Earth

Read the title of this blog post again.  (I'm waiting...did you do it?). 

That's right.  You read it correctly.  There is no organization on the face of the earth greater than the church of the Lord Jesus Christ.  

It's founder is Jesus Himself. "And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church..." Matthew 16:18 

It was Jesus who gave His blood for the church. "Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood."  Acts 20:28

He is the Head of the Church. "For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior." Ephesians 5: 23

Every church (no matter its size, location, or name) is equally important.

It is comprised of His saints on earth for a purpose.  I Corinthians 1:2; Ephesians 1:1 - all addressed to the saints.  Matthew 28: 18-20

According to Matthew 16: 16-19, it has been given the message that "even the gates of hell can not prevail against."

He is coming for His church - the bride. "Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless."  Ephesians 5: 25-27

It's capabilities is not limited to the sum total of its faults, but instead is empowered by Jesus Himself through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Someone once said, "I'm surprised the church does as well as it does when you realize what it is comprised of."  I'm the first one to acknowledge my weaknesses ("clay pot") and lack, but God still chooses to use the "weak things" to acknowledge His strengths and enhance His glory.

There is only one thing bigger and better and that is the Kingdom of God but it is internal and eternal.  "Thy kingdom come, thy will be done."