A Pew Words on the Church by Gene Filio

What is the Church?

The word translated “church” in the English Bible is ekklesia. This word is the Greek words kaleo (to call), with the prefix ek (out). Thus, the word means “the called out ones.” However, the English word “church” does not come from ekklesia but from the word kuriakon, which means “dedicated to the Lord.” This word was commonly used to refer to a holy place or temple. By the time of Jerome’s translation of the New Testament from Greek to Latin, it was customary to use a derivative of kuriakon to translate ekklesia. Therefore, the word church is a poor translation of the word ekklesia since it implies a sacred building, or temple. A more accurate translation would be “assembly” because the term ekklesia was used to refer to a group of people who had been called out to a meeting. It was also used as a synonym for the word synagogue, which also means to “come together,” i.e. a gathering. “Body of Christ” Since believers have been united with Christ through spiritual baptism, they are sometimes corporately referred to as the body of Christ. (Rom. l2:4-5; 1 Cor. l2:11,13,l8,27; Col. l:l8; Eph. 5:30) The church therefore means an assembly of believers gathered together as a worshipping community dedicated in worship and service to God and as a witnessing community to preach the gospel and to make disciples of all nations.

The Reinvented Church

The church has a crisis of identity. It has become a Reactive Church. The emphasis of churches today can be summed up in the following concepts:

First, the church is saying to itself, “God in me. God in you”. The church is reacting to the stimulus of human experiences in shaping its agenda and purpose.

Second, the church is looked at in, “God in socio-political-cultural perspective”. The church is being determined by sincere socio-political-cultural experiences in developing its agenda and purpose.

Third, the church is molded in, “God in tradition and heritage”. The church is being caged by Regulative Principles from a very commendable ecclesiastical era.

Reclaiming the Church

The church was built upon the foundation of the Lordship of Jesus Christ.

Jesus said to his disciples, who do you say I am? Peter answered saying, “You are the Christ the Son of the Living God”. And Jesus said, “…upon this rock. I will build my church.”

The church is a worshipping community dedicated in worship and service to God. The duty, ministry and mission/missions of the church were committed and intended for the glorification of God and in the proclamation of the Gospel.

In the prayer of Jesus in John 17:13 he said, “Now this is eternal life, that they may know you the only true God and Jesus whom you have sent.”

The church is a witnessing community empowered by the Holy Spirit.

Acts 1:8 states, “And you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

The Great Commission is the impetus that moves the church to action.

Go therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold I will be with you until the end of the age. (Matthew 28:19-20)

The Bible is the Word of God it is the only source and basis of the church faith and practices.

Tole, Lege

An Exposition on Worship by Gene Filio

An Exposition on Worship

“Worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only.” (Matthew 4:10)

A.W. Tozer in his book Worship: The Missing Jewel wrote, “It is delightful to worship God, but it is also a humbling thing; and the man who has not been humbled in the presence of God will never be a worshipper of God at all. He may be a church member who keeps the rules and obeys the discipline, and who tithes and goes to conference, but he’ll never be a worshipper unless he is deeply humbled.”

Worship and Service

Worship and service are two distinct concepts with two different meaning. Although closely related, should not be confused as synonymous terms. However, many modern translations failed to make clear the difference. It is therefore very important that we understand what this entails. The basic meaning of the word “Worship” is to express, by word or by bowing down, profound and submissive respect or adoration. It carried with it the idea of subjects falling down to kiss the ground before a king or kiss their feet. On the other hand, the root meaning of “Service”- is service rendered for hire. It is used for the carrying out of religious duties by human beings. We see the picture of Levites doing their official service inside the Temple. In Matthew 4:10 “worship” and “service” were used together in the same sentence conveying the idea that the words were expressing different thoughts. It has been said: “All worship may be said to be service to God, but not all service rendered to God is worship.”

The Focus of Worship

Worship is God centered. True worship begins with a deep respect or reverence for God, a frame of heart, an attitude. Worship is a conscious glorification of God flowing from an inner attitude of lowly submission to His authority and awe at His majesty. This glorification can be expressed by prostration and by words. Since God can hear the thoughts of the heart, the words do not have to be audible. Since God can see through the hearts of man, the action may refer to contrition of the heart and/or the humbling of the spirit. In worship man takes his proper place, with his face to the ground and God is acknowledged for who He is: the Creator, Redeemer and King. When God is confessed in this way, our whole life, attitude, world-view and perspective on all things will be radically changed. Millard Erickson wrote, “In the pictures of heaven in the Book of Revelation and elsewhere, the people of God are represented as recognizing and declaring the greatness of God. It is appropriate that the church, which belongs to God, praise and glorify God. The church must center its attention upon who and what God is, not upon itself. It aims at appropriately expressing who and what He is, not at satisfying its own feelings.”

Service to God

Service to God in the New Testament can be summed up into three main categories:

First, Worship attributed mainly to the glorification of God.

Second, is the Edification of the believers. This involves; Instruction and Fellowship. Both of which are intended primarily to believers, for the believers and among the believers. It is imperative for believers to be instructed in the word and find growth in faith in the assembly of the church. This is where the interaction of worshippers takes place. In Ephesians 4:12 Paul said that God has given various gifts to the church for the equipping of the saints, for the work of the ministry and for the building up of the body of Christ. Believers are to grow up in Christ.

Lastly, is the Conversion of the soul. This involves; Evangelism and Social Concern. Both activities technically are towards the unbelievers and outside the sphere of the church but instances may demand are also needed by some inside the church. The believers were tasked to undertake to bring the gospel to all people everywhere and anywhere.

All worship may be said to be service to God, but not all service rendered to God is worship.

To God be the Glory!