What Is The Church? Part 2

Series: The Big Questions

What Is the Church? The message and promise of Jesus

The paramount message of Jesus, and the essence of Jesus’ teachings, is the Good News of the forgiveness of sins. Jesus was heralded into the world by angels: “… the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people ….” and “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.” – Luke 2: 10-14 (NASB)

Good News image composition by Dorian Scott Cole through AI (Dalle2)

Breaking this message down

A message for all people: the angels proclaimed great joy not just for Jews but for all people. All is a big word, inclusive of everyone. Was this a trick or did it really mean everyone? Not a trick – Jesus sent this message to the entire world as mentioned below in To the world and beyond.

God in the highest: Commentators dance all around what is mean by this phrase, often alluding to a place, which isn’t indicated. When it does refer to a place, as in Luke 14:8 “sit down in the highest room,” a different word is used: protoklisia.

The angel of the Lord used the word “highest” in Luke 1:32 “He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High ….” It helps to study other religions to understand this. Most religions worship the most high god. This is the God who is above everything, the creator God, the all-powerful God who happens to love everyone. There is no mistake that this might somehow be the exclusive God of the Jews. It’s the God of everyone.

Who is God pleased with? Those who do right or are forgiven. None of us are perfect. The wrongs of those who are forgiven are remembered no more and God isas pleased with them as he would be with someone who is perfect.

Unpacking the message of Jesus

Implicit in Jesus message are several things including the forgiveness of sins, the Kingdom of God and Heaven, taking the news to the entire world, and the benefits of being in the Kingdom.

As John the Baptist was taken into custody, ending his ministry and bringing to a close the time of the law and the prophets, “Jesus began to preach and say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”” – Mattthew 4:17 (NASB)

Jesus condemned no one during his earthly ministry but instead offered forgiveness. He said of himself, “I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.” – John 8:12 (NASB)

Implicit in the idea of forgiveness is that you ask God for forgiveness and that you change your ways. Sometimes it’s difficult to change our ways so Jesus said later to forgive 70 times 7, asking us to be like God and have a habit of forgiveness. Our wrongdoings usually involve other people, so it was Jesus’ and the Jews’ belief that this meant going to those who you had done wrong and making it right as well as asking for their forgiveness.

To obtain forgiveness Jesus said you don’t need to go to a priest or temple any such thing (unless you just want to – no harm in it). You simply ask God directly. This was a change for the Jews. Living in the way Jesus demonstrated (love of others) brings you into the Kingdom of God-Heaven, which is here now and forever.

To the world and beyond

But He said to them, “I must preach the kingdom of God to the other cities also, for I was sent for this purpose.” Luke 4: 43 (NASB) And he began going to areas where Jews didn’t live. And even Roman soldiers and Samaritans came to him and asked him for healing.

In an era where men were supposedly the only people able to teach about God, and the Jews would not keep company with outsiders, Jesus was inclusive of women and took his message to the entire world: “… He began going around from one city and village to another, proclaiming and preaching the kingdom of God. The twelve were with Him, and also some women who had been healed of evil spirits and sicknesses ….” – Luke 8: 1 (NASB)

Similarly to his own mission, Jesus told his apostles to take the good news to other nations. After his death and resurrection Jesus told his 11 apostles: “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you ….” – Matthew 28: 19-20 (NASB)

Breaking this message down

In Matthew 28, baptism represents forgiveness and washing away of sins which is Jesus’ primary message. The Greek word “disciple,” (μαθητής), generally means “one who engages in learning through instruction from another, a pupil, or an apprentice.” It doesn’t necessarily mean student and it doesn’t necessarily mean convert. (The idea of convert from one religion to another came much later.)

Disciple refers to those who followed Jesus during his time to learn the faith (love, forgiveness, etc.) and right behavior from him. What Jesus taught can be practiced by anyone and all who follow the ways of God are in the Kingdom. Jesus noted that those in other nations had great faith in God and would sit with him in heaven.

A disciple is very different from an apostle.” An apostle (/əˈpɒsəl/), in its literal sense, is an emissary, from Ancient Greek ἀπόστολος (apóstolos), literally “one who is sent off”, from the verb ἀποστέλλειν (apostéllein), “to send off”. The purpose of such sending off is usually to convey a message, and thus “messenger” is a common alternative translation; other common translations include “ambassador” and “envoy”.” Apostle – Wikipedia

In the early church there were evangelists who had the mission of spreading the Good News. Evangel literally means good news: “Ancient Greek εὐαγγέλιον (euangélion, “good news”), from εὐάγγελος (euángelos, “bringing good news.”” But this wasn’t the task of most Christians. Churches with an evangelical emphasis try to make this the task of each Christian, but our task is to be the light by showing others the love of God.

Conversion – what does it mean?

The word “conversion” is used few times in the New Testament. It implies “revolution.” It was generally used with reference to changing the soul, not changing religion.

Representative examples:

Matthew 13:15 – “And understand with their heart and return [return is sometimes translated “convert”].”

Matthew 18:3 – “unless you are converted [turned] and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.

To Simon who Jesus felt was turning away, he said: ““Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has [d]demanded permission to sift you like wheat; 32 but I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail; and you, when once you have turned [sometimes translated converted] again, strengthen your brothers.””

Acts 3:19 – “Therefore repent and return [sometimes translated converted], so that your sins may be wiped away,”

The Jews of the day who followed Jesus continued to practice Judaism but with the understanding given them by Jesus. When the apostles ministered to Jewish communities in other lands, they didn’t ask them to stop being Jews but to adopt Jesus’ understanding and practices. When the apostles started new communities among non-Jews they didn’t ask them to become Jews but to follow the practices of Jesus.

The idea of “conversion” later came to mean to change from one religion to another (or no religion to Christianity). What the idea in Jesus’ terms really means is a change of heart.

So the church of Jesus wasn’t meant to be a militant takeover of all other religions. It was about a heart change for those who needed a clearer example of what God asks of us.

Takeaway

Jesus came to make changes in religion and in the hearts of people that would affect their behavior for the better. He refused to create a physical kingdom to dominate Judaism or the world. Judaism was dominated by powerful people who ritualized religion, emphasized law over everything else, and any religious function was carried out at the Temple by priests.

He said the Temple would be destroyed, the leaders and people would be scattered, and to obtain forgiveness people need only ask God. So he brought the Good News of forgiveness and announced the Kingdom of God for all those who ask God for forgiveness, turn away from doing wrong, and try to do good. The Kingdom of God is here now and forever into the Kingdom of Heaven, it’s for everyone, and it’s eternal life.

Next in this series on What Is the Church: In the Kingdom, and the fullness of the Good News. Then people who love as God loves. And the function of the organized church as a positive force in people’s lives.