What is 'Church" anyway?

Jesus established his 'Church' as the embodiment of his presence and work on earth following his resurrection and return to heaven to sit at the right hand of the Father. There is one church and one body of Christ (Eph 4:4-6). The Church of Jesus Christ is not a building, or an event, but rather an 'identity' that all followers of Christ share together. Scripture often refers to this identity as 'The Body of Christ'.


I Corinthians 12:12-14
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. For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body--whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free--and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. Now the body is not made up of one part but of many.

I Corinthians 12:27-28


Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues.


The beautiful thing about the Church (that we have seemed to loose sight of) is that everybody has a role to play! There is no such thing as 'special' vs. 'common', 'perfect' vs. 'permitted', 'called' vs. 'un-called', or 'sacred' vs. 'secular'. This means that every conversion is a commission and every baptism is an ordination into ministry and service in the Kingdom! As the Church, we are all Agents of the King and People of the Most High God.


I Peter 2:4-5

As you come to him, the living Stone--rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him-- you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

I Peter 2:9-11


But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul.


The gathering together of the Body of Christ is very important. But why is it necessary? What should we do together?

Acts 2:42-47


They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

With this understanding, what does 'Church' look like within the context of the First Responder community?







__________________
Clarke T. Cayton
Vice President of Content
Responder Life

People are different. Each has a unique voice and talents that God uses for His purpose. The Battalion Chief is not a transport Paramedic and the ER doctor is not a Firefighter. Respect the role each has to play in the body and focus on the goal ahead. Remember who you actually work for. You can't see Him but He is there with you, watching, leading and guiding. Iron sharpens iron. Hold each other accountable to the highest standard with both your profession and your walk. Do this with love and humility. Sparks will fly but the result is you both will be sharper for it. Be devoted to following Jesus in all you do. That includes your work.


matbergin