The church is many things to many people. Some think of it as an institution. Others think of it in terms of a building or a place where people go to worship. These are common misunderstandings of what the church is. The Meaning of the Word "Church" When Jesus said,...

The parting words of our Lord Jesus Christ to his disciples are as follows: "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and...

What did Jesus mean when he said, "You are Peter and on this rock I will build my church." (Matthew 16:18)? Because of Jesus' teachings and his miracles, there was a lot of speculation about who he was. Some were saying he was John the Baptist, Elijah, Jeremiah or one...

A survey of the New Testament gives us a picture of the church that can still be produced today - a church that preaches the same gospel and commits to the apostles' teaching. The church is presented as all those who believe the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ and who...

Several metaphors describe the church: the family of God, the temple of the Holy Spirit, a holy nation, etc. Rated among the most popular is "the body of Christ." This description provides rich teaching on how the church should function. Members are Interdependent Our...

The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ … Now the body is not made up of one part but of many … Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. (1...

A Solid Foundation The first requirement for a permanent building is a solid foundation. The church of Christ is built upon a foundation of solid rock. "Upon this rock," Jesus said, "I will build my church." The rock being referred to is the confession made by Peter...

After giving Peter the keys of the kingdom of heaven, Jesus delegated authority to him to carry out his ministry. "Whatever you shall bind on earth," Jesus said to Peter, "shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven."...

What did Jesus mean when he gave Peter the "keys of the kingdom"? The most prominent statue in our local church was that of Saint Peter. He was an austere figure seated upon a throne, with one hand raised toward heaven and the other holding two large keys. I seldom...

Celibacy is a gift from God, but not everyone has this gift. Jesus said, "Not everyone can accept this word, but only those to whom it has been given. For some are eunuchs because they were born that way; others were made that way by men; and others have renounced...

Priesthood has a long history stretching back to the Old Testament. We are introduced to Israel's priests shortly after their captivity in Egypt. From among the twelve tribes that composed the nation of Israel, God chose the priesthood from the tribe of Levi....

Every sin we commit is against God and must be confessed. In confession, we are not telling God anything he does not already know. In confession we are acknowledging we have sinned against God and stand in need of his pardon. We are affirming the truth about ourselves...

Tradition has its place in both society and the church and many times it has served us well. However, tradition must not become a sacred cow that cannot be touched. This is particularly true for churches that are faced with the need to change. This point was brought...

Christian unity has been on the religious agenda for the past several decades and the question being asked is this: "How can all the churches be one, thereby presenting a united body to an unbelieving world?" The aspiration is honourable and noble, but unity must be...

The Bible makes clear that we do not have apostles today who fit the category of the twelve selected by the Lord Jesus Christ. The ministry of the twelve was unique and could not be passed on to successors. Through their ministry, the full will of God was revealed for...

The Message Revealed Everything that Jesus taught he entrusted to his apostles. Speaking to them on the night of his betrayal, he said that he would send them the Holy Spirit to equip them for ministry. The Spirit would (1) teach them all things, (2) bring to their...

Their Unique Position The apostles hold a unique position in the church. Through them the Lord has made provision to ensure that the church, which he purchased with his blood, is sustained throughout its pilgrimage here on earth. Our spiritual well-being has been...

The Lord Jesus Christ died for his church, for his redeemed people. The same Lord has entrusted his people to the care of godly, gifted men whose work it is to watch out for their spiritual well-being. These men are described in a number of ways in the Bible. They are...

The controversy surrounding the ordination of women to the priesthood could be easily resolved by accepting what the Bible says on the subject. Let's begin answering the question by way of a brief historical overview. The priesthood did not begin with the coming of...