Does the Organization Matter?

(This article is a rather lengthy article, therefore we have posted just the introduction here and made the rest of the article available as a PDF download.)

Does The Organization Matter PDF Download

By: Jim Josephson

Introduction

As a baptized member of the Church of God, no doubt you recall learning, the "building" is not the church, rather "the church" is a "collection of people," all "baptized into the One Body of Christ." Scriptures such as Galatians 3:27, Colossians 1:18 and 24, along with Ephesians 1:22-23, Ephesians 4:4-5 andRomans 6:3 were quoted. You no doubt, came to understand that "the Church" (of God) is a spiritual entity, a spiritual organism; it is not a building, nor is it even a physical organization. This teaching is strikingly different from that which is commonly understood by the average person today.

Today, when hearing the word "church," the average person most likely thinks of a building on the corner, with stained glass windows and a steeple; such as the First Baptist Church, John the Baptist Episcopalian Church, St. Andrews Lutheran Church, the World Overcomers Church or the All Community Faith Church. Another concept commonly understood by the average person today is that of a church organization; such as the Holy Roman Catholic Church, the United Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A, the Mormon Church (Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints) or even the Salvation Army. Perversely, but true, there is even an organization called the Church of Satan.

The English word "church" as found in the Bible is translated from the Greek word ekklesia. Ekklesia is a compound word, literally meaning out (ek) calling (kaleo), or those bid to come forth out of. Ekklesia means the called out ones, the assembly. When Christ said I will build my church, He rightly stated,I will build my assembly, my group of called out ones. The Apostles frequently used terms such as "you are called," "your calling;" "called;" "elect." Consider I Corinthians 1:9, God is faithful, by whom you were called unto the fellowship of His son Jesus Christ our Lord. Notice how Peter admonished the brethren to hang in there, not to give up. Wherefore the rather brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if you do these things, ye shall never fall (II Peter 1:10).

The church or those called out, are the elect of God (I Peter 1:1-2), who the Father draws (calls) out (John 6:44, 65) and gives to Christ (John 10:29). The Church of God (called out ones of God) from its inception on Pentecost, is a spiritual organism composed of individuals (from all over) baptized into the Body of Christ. "For by one spirit we are baptized into one body" (I Corinthians 12:13); we are baptized into Jesus Christ (Romans 6:3 and Galatians 3:27). There is one body, one spirit, even as you are called in one hope of your calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism ... (Ephesians 4:4-5). That one body is Jesus Christ and His body, which is the Church, is the assembly of called out ones (cf. Ephesians 1:22-23, 4:12; Colossians 1:18, 24).