It is a shame how much the word “church” is misused today, including in our newspapers and even in the old telephone directory yellow pages. They refer to Scientology churches, Unitarian churches, and others such as these as “churches,” which have absolutely no comparison with the “Church” described in the Holy Bible.
A true “church” is an assembly of born again, Spirit-filled Christians, called together by the Almighty God, where Jesus Christ is the Lord and Head, and the Holy Spirit functions and operates as He wills.
Therefore, a church is not a place of false teachers, false prophets, and false believers, filled with the works of the flesh. Or a place where envy, strife and perversions (doctrinally and otherwise) abound, and where the power of the Holy Ghost and the gospel of Jesus Christ are denied. Nor is it a place of confusion, where the scriptures that teach us of the baptism of the Holy Spirit, the healing power of God, as well as the Lord’s supernatural provision are belittled, or where it is taught that these things have “passed away.”
“22 And He has put all things under His feet and has appointed Him the universal and supreme Head of the church [a headship exercised throughout the church], 23 Which is His body, the fullness of Him Who fills all in all [for in that body lives the full measure of Him Who makes everything complete, and Who fills everything everywhere with Himself].” Ephesians 1:22-23 AMP
Jesus Christ is Head of the Church, the Body of Christ. He is to be the Head of each local church. The following list is how you know Jesus is the Head of a local church:
- His name, the name of Jesus is proclaimed, praised and exalted.
(See Matthew 18:20; Mark 16:17-18; John 16:23-24; Acts 4:12; Ephesians 1:17-23; Philippians 2:9-11; Hebrews 2:12).
- His Word is taught, preached and proclaimed as final authority, diminishing none of it, and real Bible faith is produced in the hearts of the people because the Word of Faith is preached.
(See Luke 4:18-19, 5:5; Romans 10:13-17; Colossians 1:23-28; 2 Timothy 4:2).
- His anointing that removes burdens and destroys yokes will be present in the services; an anointing of healing, deliverance and freedom from satan’s snares.
(See Isaiah 10:27; Luke 4:18; Acts 10:38; Hebrews 1:9).
- His Holy Spirit will be at liberty to move and operate, and the Gifts of the Spirit will flow.
(See 1 Corinthians 12:1-2, 14:1, 12-19, 26, 39-40; 2 Corinthians 3:17).
- His ministry gifts, most especially the ministry gift of Pastor, will be in place and operating strong, leading and feeding God’s sheep. And God’s people will honor and esteem them for it.
(See Acts 20:28; 1 Corinthians 12:28; Ephesians 4:11; 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13; Hebrews 13:7, 17; 1 Peter 5:1-4).
- His commission to reach the lost, getting them born again and bringing them into the Kingdom of God, is in operation.
(See Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-20; John 3:3, 7: 2 Corinthians 5:17-20; Colossians 1:12-14; 1 Peter 1:23).
- His saints, those who have received Him and are born again are raised from spiritual infancy to full maturity in Christ.
(See Acts 19:2-6; Ephesians 2:20-22, 4:13-16; 2 Thessalonians 1:3; 1 Peter 2:2; 2 Peter 3:18).
- His work and His ministry are carried out both by the ministry gifts, as well as the congregation, in the church services, functions and events, as well as in the daily lives of each individual believer.
(See 1 Corinthians 4:1-2; 2 Corinthians 5:18; Ephesians 4:11-16, 5:8; Philippians 2:14-16; 1 Timothy 1:12; 1 Peter 2:12).
The local church is meant to be a place of strength and power, not weakness. It is meant to be a place of faith and hope, not doom and gloom. A place of love, peace and comfort, not despair and hopelessness. It is my prayer that you are a part of such a church, because without question, that is the perfect will of God for your life.
