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THE CHURCH: ITS ORGANIZATION

Matt. 16:18

1. SPOKEN OF AS PHYSICAL IN NATURE.
   1. Correct to use term "church" only in a Biblical sense and to convey Bible idea.
   2. Assembly of the people-Acts 19:32; a church, but not the church. See also Acts 19:37. Dismissed the assembly or church-not the church.
   3. Word in common use among the Jews; Christ did not coin the word, but took it and applied it to His people, not any church. Just because an organization is called a church does not make it His church.
2. NOT MERELY PHYSICAL BODY OR ASSEMBLY.
   1. People called out of darkness. Col. 1:13. All saved in the church. Acts 2:47; Eph. 5:23.
   2. Hardest thing is to get people to see what the church is. Matt. 16:18; Col. 1:18. Refers to the "called out" great body of Christ. Its head never dies-Pope dies-that church goes eight days without a head.
   3. Church of Firstborn. Heb. 12:23. The word church used in a geographical sense in Galatians; a local sense in Rom. 16:16. Churches of Gentiles-Rom. 16:4.
   4. Pilate didn't have a true understanding of the church. Jno. 18:36, 39.
3. THE NATURE OF THE KINGDOM OR CHURCH.
   1. Church called Body. Col. 1:18; Eph. 1:22, 23, Christ is the Head of the Body or church.
   2. Our bodies have heads. Members of body directed by the head. When one member of body is honored, the whole body is honored.
   3. Vineyard of the Lord. Members of the Body-Rom. 12:16. A family-I Tim. 3:14, 15. All these terms describe the same thing.
4. WE UNDERSTAND THINGS BY COMPARISON.

   If we lived in England, perhaps it would be easier to understand the Lord's Kingdom or church. Life in the United States makes this harder, since we are so accustomed to the idea of democracy.

5. BEFORE CHRIST, THE STATE AND RELIGION WERE COMBINED, BUT SINCE THE KINGDOM OF CHRIST WAS SET UP, THEY ARE SEPAATE. Lev. 24:16; Isa. 2:4; Jno. 18:36.
   1. If it had not been for the Roman government, the Jews would have taken Christ out and stoned Him.
   2. Little child shall lead them-Isa. 11:1, 6, 9.
   3. Shall rule by word (rod of mouth)-Isa. 11:1-5. Nature of king-Vs. 6-9. Nature of kingdom. Take place in Holy Mountain-not civil government.
   4. Moses took sword and drove people out of boundaries. We take sword of Spirit and drive enemies out of Kingdom of God.
6. OUR KING MAKES LAWS WE ARE TO KEEP THAT THE CIVIL GOVERNMENT DOESN'T.
   1. Meet on first day of week; marriage, baptism, etc.
   2. Religious world thinks church is a democracy; it is spiritual.
7. ORGANIZATION OF THE CHURCH.
   1. Every organization has a head and government of some kind-schools, businesses, our bodies, etc.
   2. Elders govern the local church of Christ under the mind of God-Acts 20:28. Be prepared-II Tim. 2:1, 2; 1 Pet. 2:2; 1 Cor. 16:13. Watch ye. Removing elders like removing fuel pump from auto; sometimes fuel pump wears out, or breaks down and must be replaced.
8. CO-OPERATION IN THE CHURCH.
   1. Be able to understand each other. Work together. Phil. 1:27.
   2. Republicans and Democrats worked together during the war; labor and management; husband and wife. When division arises in these, it doesn't mean we are opposed to them.
   3. Every member needed, as every part of auto. Injured finger-resources of body rush to its aid. Christ is the driver.