What is the final destiny of Christ’s Church?

When the complete number of the elect has come into Christ’s Church, Christ will come to judgment and will take His Church to the eternal joy of heaven. This heavenly, glorified Church is called the Church triumphant. This teaching of God’s Word gives the Church militant great comfort as it continues its journey and is subject to tribulation and persecution.

Matt. 5:10: Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness sake, for their’s is the kingdom of heaven.

Rev. 19: 7,9: Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honor to Him, for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready... Blessed are they, which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb... these are the true sayings of God.

What kind of a road must Christ’s Church travel here on earth?

Even though all believers have salvation through faith, and even though they enjoy God’s peace in their hearts, their life here on earth is a life of cross-bearing, and they experience the same as Christ experienced in His state of humiliation. Here on earth Christ’s Church is a militant church.

Act. 14:22: We must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.

Matt. 10: 22: Ye shall be hated of all men for My name’s sake; but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.

Luke 9:23: If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.

Eph. 6:11: Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

How are Christians to relate to heterodox congregations, churches and church federations?

Christians are to remain apart from the heterodox church, and if they have already joined such a church, they are to separate from it and join a church faithful to God’s Word. A member of a doctrinally pure church will not participate in the activity of a heterodox church or commune at its altar.

1 Joh. 4:1: Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits, whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

Matt. 7:15: Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravening wolves.

Rom. 16:17: I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offenses contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned, and avoid them.

2 Cor. 6:14-17: Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers; for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? And what communion hath light with darkness...Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing, and I will receive you.

2 Joh.10-11: If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed; for he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.

Assignment: Discuss: Why is the decision as to what church to join on the basis of God’s Word often so difficult for people?

How are Christians to relate to the doctrinally pure Church?

Christians are faithfully to adhere to the doctrinally pure church.

For the strengthening of our faith we are to attend its worship services and other gatherings faithfully, heed the teaching that it offers and use the holy Sacraments.

As faithful members of the doctrinally pure church, we are to make use of our spiritual priesthood, and according to our ability financially support the work of the church, thus enabling the church to continue its activity and the spreading of God’s pure Word.

We must not be offended by the oppressed state of the church or by its small size.

We are to bear each other’s weaknesses patiently and live together in a spirit of brotherly love.

Acts 2:42: They continued steadfastly in the Apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

Joh. 10:27: My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.

Heb. 10:25: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together as the manner of some is.

1 Pet. 2:9: Ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people, that ye should show forth the praises of Him who hath called you out of darkness into His marvellous light.

Gal. 6:6,10: Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things... as we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

2 Cor. 9:7: Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly or of necessity for God loveth a cheerful giver.

2 Thess. 3:1: Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you.

Eph. 4:1-3: I beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, with all lowliness and meekness, with long-suffering, forbearing one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

1 Thess. 5:14: Warn them that are unruly, comfort the feeble-minded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.

Luke 12:32: Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

What kinds of visible local congregations and synods, however, are there in external Christendom?

There are two types of visible local congregations, synods and church federations:

1. Those that teach and confess God’s Word in its truth and purity (orthodox or doctrinally pure churches) and
2. Those that tolerate and teach false doctrine (heterodox or doctrinally impure churches).

The doctrinally pure Church at the beginning of the New Testament era consisted of the apostolic congregations, later it consisted of those churches purified by the Lutheran Reformation, and in our day it includes the faithful Lutheran (confessional) congregations and synods. The heterodox church during the post-apostolic era included, for example, the Arians; in our day: the Roman Catholics, the Greek Orthodox, the Reformed churches, the re-baptizing movements, and the nomi181 nal Lutherans. Heterodox federations today are the Lutheran World Federation and the World Council of Churches.

What kind of local congregations and synods are acceptable to God?

God wants Christian local congregations and synods to possess, confess and teach the entire doctrine of His Word in its truth and purity and to administer the Sacraments according to Christ’s command. In other words, God wants the identifying marks of the Church to remain pure in local congregations and synods. (The true visible Church).

Matt. 28:20: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you.

1 Cor. 1:10: Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

What is a synod?

A synod is a group of local congregations with the same confession, who have joined together in order to work together. During the time of the Apostles the congregations were not joined together in an organized synod, even though they were in fellowship with each other and worked together for the edification of God’s kingdom. The right kind of confession, oneness in faith and doctrine and a common mission are matters ordained by God, but a synod as an organization is a matter of free choice.

Assignment: Read Acts 15: The Antioch and Jerusalem congregations work together in matters concerning doctrine, and 2 Cor. 8:18-9:15: proclaiming the Word together, helping those in need together, praying for each other; all this was confessing and submitting to Christ’s Gospel. (9:13)

What is a local congregation?

A local congregation is a group of professing Christians who gather together in a certain locality around the Word of God and the Sacraments, and receive spiritual nourishment from them. Mixed into this group may be some hypocrites and ungodly people, but they do not belong to the congregation in essence. The Bible speaks of local congregations in the plural and calls them the churches of God and Christ. In this way the Bible indicates that local congregations are of God.

1 Cor. 16:19: The churches of Asia salute you. Aquila and Priscilla salute you much in the Lord, with the church that is in their house.

Rom. 16:16: The churches of Christ salute you.

2 Cor. 1:1: Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints which are in all Achaia.

Eph. 1:1: To the saints which are at Ephesus and to the faithful in Christ Jesus.

Assignment: Read Matt. 22:1-12: The wedding guest without a wedding garment, and Matt. 13: 47-48: the parable of the net.

What effect do the marks of the Church have on its existence and life?

The existence and life of the Church cannot be separated from its identifying marks.

Where the identifying marks of the Church cease, there the Church also ceases to exist.

Where something other than the pure word of God is allowed to be sown, there the devil can do his sowing unhindered, and because of the teaching of such a church, believers are in constant danger.

Where the identifying marks of the Church are pure, there believers receive the type of shepherding that the Good Shepherd wants to give them. There they have a true spiritual home.

Rev. 3:10-11: Because thou hast kept the word of My patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. Behold I come quickly; hold that fast which thou hast that no man take thy crown.

Gal. 5:9: A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump.

Assignment: Read Acts 15. The apostolic Church rejected the suggestion that converts from paganism be given the command: “Unless you have yourselves circumcised... you cannot be saved.

What are the identifying marks of the Church?

Even though Christ’s Church is invisible to the human eye according to its essence, it nevertheless has identifying marks, on the basis of which it can be found, and on the basis of which we can faithfully adhere to it. These identifying marks are the pure teaching of God’s Word and the Sacraments admnistered according to Christ’s command.

Is. 55:10-11: As the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater; so shall my Word be that goeth forth out of my mouth. It shall not return unto Me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

Joh. 8:31-32: If ye continue in my Word, then are ye my disciples indeed, and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

Joh. 10: 27-28: My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give unto them eternal life, and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand.

Luke 8:11: The seed is the Word of God.

What does it mean that the Church is universal?

Christ’s Church is universal because all believers in Christ of all times in all the world belong to it.

Gal. 3:28: There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female, for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.

Col. 1:5-6: The word of the truth of the Gospel, which is come unto you, as it is all the world, and bringeth forth fruit, as it does also in you.

Rev. 7:9: After this I beheld, and lo, a great multitutde, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes and palms in their hands.

What does it mean that the Church is Christian?

Christ’s Church is Christian, because its only foundation is Christ and the apostolic-prophetic word of the Bible, which He has given.

1 Cor. 3:11: For other foundation can no man lay that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

Eph. 2:19-20: Ye are fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God, and are built upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief Cornerstone.

What does it mean that the Church is holy?

Christ’s Church is holy because

1. Christ has sanctified and cleansed it from sin with His blood through the Means of Grace.
   

   Heb. 10: 19;22: Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest, by the blood of Jesus... having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.
   
   1 Cor. 1:2: Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints.



2. It serves God with holy and righteous works.
   

   1 Pet. 2:5: Ye also as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.

What does it mean that the Church is one?

Christ’s Church is one because

1. The Triune God is one.


2. The Church’s only foundation is Christ.


3. Its members all have the same faith, the same Means of Grace and the same hope.


4. They live in the same spiritual body under the same Head, Christ.

Eph. 4:4-6: There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling. One Lord, one faith, one Baptism, one God and Father of all, Who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

Joh. 10:16: Other sheep I have, which are not of this fold. Them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.

1 Cor. 3:11: Other foundation can no man lay that that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

Luther: “I believe that there is upon earth a little holy group and congregation of pure saints, under one head, even Christ, called together by the Holy Ghost in one faith, one mind, and understanding, with manifold gifts, yet agreeing in love, without sects or schisms.”

What does it mean that the Church is lasting?

Christ’s Church is lasting, because the Holy Spirit continually until the end of the world gathers and protects His believers here on earth. It will therefore remain until the end of the world.

Matt.16:18: Upon this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

Matt. 28:20: Lo I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.

What does it mean that the Church is invisible?

Christ’s Church here in the world is invisible to us according to its essence, because we cannot see into another person’s heart and determine whether there is faith there. Because the actual church is invisible to the human eye, we confess in the Apostles’ Creed: “I believe in the holy Christian Church.”

2 Tim. 2:19: The Lord knoweth them that are His.

Luke 17:20-21: The kingdom of God cometh not with observation, neither shall they say: Lo here! or Lo there! for behold the kingdom of God is within you.

Assignment: Read 1Kings 19:14,18: Prophet Elijah and the 7000, and 2 Sam. 15:11: Some followed Absalom in ignorance.

How does the Bible describe Christ´s Church?

Christ’s Church is invisible, lasting, one, holy, Christian and universal.

What is Christ´s Church?

Christ’s Church consists of all those who in their hearts truly trust in Christ. This group of believers is also called the communion of saints and the one holy Christian Church or Christendom. Christians or believers therefore are the Church, and its Head is Christ. It is not the accomplishment of men, but has been created by the Holy Spirit through the Means of Grace.

Eph. 2:19-22: Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God; and are built upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief Cornerstone, in Whom all the building, fitly framed together, groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord.

Eph. 5:25-26: Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for it, that He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word.

Rom. 8:9: If any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His.

Col. 1:18: He is the head of the body, the Church.

Assignment: Read Acts 1 and 2: The birth of the New Testament Church.

Luther: “For thank God, (today) a child seven years old knows what the Church is, namely, the holy believers and lambs who hear the voice of their Shepherd. (Smalcald Articles).