First of all let’s look at the meaning of Church. There is two meaning that was derived from the Greek word “ekklessia”. The first meaning of Church is “An Assembly of Called Out Ones”. The second meaning speaks about the ownership which is “Belonging to the Lord”.
The Universal Church is the body of All Saved People Everywhere, this include all those who have been redeemed by Jesus Blood, have received forgiveness of their sins and been Born Spiritually into His Family. These are the one that was purchased by His Blood. The Universal Church has no “Earthly Headquarters”. The Head of the Church is in Heaven. This Church can’t be divided as it is not under any earthly organisation.
This is the Church that is composed of all Christian which Jesus referred to in Matthew 16:18. It is made up of all the saved, both living and death as said in Hebrew 12:22-24. The Universal Church that is called the “Body of Christ” as mentioned in Eph. 1:22-23. It is only one body therefore its only one Church Eph. 4:4. To “join” this Church one is “added” by the Lord Himself when saved as in Acts2:41,47. The membership of this Church is kept by The Lord, Heb 12:23, 2 Tim. 2:19. Only He knows those who are truly His. The Enrolment is in heaven. There is no agency in the earth that keeps a record. Death does not affect the membership of the Universal Church. As the Universal Church is made up of the saved both living and death, even when they are death they are still with Christ.
In the New Testament the prayer of Jesus teaches us that the church ought to be, actually is, or will be one. The unity between the Father and Son is a perfect model for the unity of believers with one another. We can see the evidence of this in John 17:20-23. Paul also urged in Eph. 4 for the believers to lead a life of unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.
There are four different idea of Unity, which is Spiritual Unity, Mutual Recognition and fellowship, Conciliar Unity and Organic Unity. The Organic Unity means membership and ordination are joined. Denominations are joined and unite, there is merging of local congregations. There are few meaning to Organic Unity, it is the merging of different denomination, it also refer to combining of fellowship that are basically of the same confessional standard. The third one is referring to the either to remain within a denomination instead of separating from a denomination to form another group of basically similar tradition and liturgy (eg. Separating from one Baptist group to form another Baptist fellowship Churches) finally, the organic unity also relates to a local congregation. It is a question of whether an individual or group remains within a congregation or separates from it. An individual can simply leave the fellowship; but if a group withdraws, it is a matter of actualschism.
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20 comments:
Dear Eunice, very true, I believe in the unity of the church and I am looking forward to it. However, look at our fragmented Body of Christ today, is it possible? Even some churches in Canada and Australis have organically united themselves as the "Uniting church". What happened then another denomination apart from their original denominations of Methodist, Anglican and Presbyterian and those denominations still continue to exist alongside the new united one they created. So conciliar maybe the right way to go, hah?
Hi Jonathan,
Agree with you that it sounds very good. It will be better if we can come together as one. I was reading this article written by a non believer who was attracted to Christianity. he was having problem in accepting Christ. He said first I need to be Christian second I need to decide which denomination I want to join. if there is one God whiy Christians need so many denomination. Jesus call for unity but he can't find it. As you said I am also looking forward.
Thank you.
Euncie
Why are there so many denominations in the so-called universal church? Isn't that disunity as different denominations have different doctrine, belief and practices?
We may say that though the various denominations have differences yet they are still "united" in Christ with a common purpose, but to be practical, for example Baptist and Pentecostal don't see eye to eye in lots issues thus practices and put faith in different things. Therefore how can there be unity?
Is there really is, how does the Church show it to the world?
Hi Eunice,
Thanks for your comprehensive sharing. In theory, it is but in reality sense, tends to speak otherwise. There are a number of Christian bodies tried to achieve the purpose to reflect on the virtue of communicating one faith in Christ Jesus but ended up miserably. They created more disputes them unity the universal church. The common question asked today is which church is proclaiming the actual truth? I wonder whether by the time Christ's return, we may still be squabbling among denominations how we could have represented Him as one universal body. Any suggestion from you?
I even heard from Christians that said: worshiping alone or at home is alright, because they're consider part of the universal church.
Even though it's upright unacceptable from the word of God. How can we explain to them that their stand is wrong? Cause many argue back that the universal church itself is not perfect and many terms among them still can't come together.
So it's alright for them to behave likewise.
Sister Eunice, I truly believe in the unity of the church as the lord has prayed for it. By saying that the unity is organic, is it the same as Barisan Nasional asking everyone to join this umbrella of organisation direct without joining any of the component parties (similar to our numerous denominations of churches)? Perhaps this organic unity can occur only at the Second Coming of Christ.
Hi Eunice... I just want to add a thought. In the light that the Ekklesia is an assembly of called out ones belonging to the Lord, I think it is not necessary to confine, or limit the Body of Christ. Churches find it necessary to do this in order to carry out their organizational activities and functions, but Christ said, "Where two or three are gathered in My name, there am I in the midst of them." Even when there is no church building or official leadership, still Christ will be in the midst those who are gathered in His name. This is the essence of the real Ekklesia, even there may be no "church" as such.
Dear Learner, Jerome, Fredie Andrew and Jonathan.
Thank you all for the comments. I hope that my following explanation will answer some of the issue that was commented.
1. Unity does not mean diversity and diversity does not necessary mean disunity.
2. Unity is when we have the same believe and faith eventhough our practices may be different.
3. We all believe in the same resurrected Christ and all of us are called to proclaim the Gospel to the world. Our doctrine are different but we all agree that we should evengelise.
4.As human we understand diversity but not unity. As said by Isaiah Our ways are not His ways. How we want to be united as from the understanding of human may not be the way of God. His unity could be proclamation of the Gospel and not just doing and practicing the same way.
5.We can see unity when there is a threat to the Christianity, all the denomination will stand up in one voice together.At the end of it all of beleive in "Jesus is the only way".
6. Let us ask ourselves what does unity of Christ means to us?
Thank you.
Eunice
You said :
1. Unity does not mean diversity and diversity does not necessary mean disunity.
2. Unity is when we have the same believe and faith eventhough our practices may be different.
3. We all believe in the same resurrected Christ and all of us are called to proclaim the Gospel to the world. Our doctrine are different but we all agree that we should evengelise.
True Jesus Church believed that baptism of the Holy Spirit is a prerequisite for entering heaven and that speaking in tongues is the evidence of having received the Holy Spirit.
Many denominations doesnt agree with this. Most Baptist doesnt speak in tongues therefore, according to True Jesus Church doctrine, the Baptist is not baptise in the Holy Spirit and will not enter Heaven. How can you call this unity when this simple difference cause a BIG different? Diversity in faith affects unity.
If this is taken as diversity of doctrine and doesnt affect unity, then the cults that believe that Jesus Christ is Lord and have different view of doctrine should not be called cults and are part of the Universal Church. They are active in sharing the Gospel and evangelise very actively successful too.
If the cults are the best example. What about Roman Catholic? They surely believe in Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour. Then this is enough for them to be part of the Universal Church as though they may have slight doctrinal difference and practices, they have the same believe in Jesus. Then it's fine for anyone to go to Roman Catholic church and Protestant shouldnt stop people from attending and believing in the faith of Roman Catholic right?
Sorry, but I am just responding to the understanding of the Universal Church described in your post. Yet I realised it still doesnt reflect how the world can view it as united as in reality, they are having too many "diversity".
It's just hard for me to conclude and understand the idealistic view of the Universal Church when many of these views doesnt really handle or explained many issues of the reality world.
dear eunice, totally agree with you on the unity of church and denomination does not necessarily mean disunity, we can be united for a common purpose. my question to you is , do you believe that we all can come togather for a common goal! GB
Dear Learner,
Thank you for your comment. It help me to look at the topic from different angle. I am sure that other readers are blessed too.
Dear Joe,
Yes of course we all can come togather for a common goal like working together to organised some evengelistic meeting or some functions.
Hi Eunice,
There are some things in you blog which I find to be quite true. Your concept that believers are joined to the church by being "added" to it is very concise indeed.
Nonetheless I find that there are some things which I feel requires some revising. For an example, you state that heaven is the head of the church. I simply find it difficult to accept this statement.
It should have been established by now that there is only one "head" of the church, and there is no argument that this is Christ Jesus. The church is merely His body.
I also do not understand what do you mean by "earthly headquarters". I have always thought that the earth was the "headquarter" of the church because this is where it operates.
Perhaps I could attain your thoughts on these matters. God Bless.
Hi Eunice,
There are some things in you blog which I find to be quite true. Your concept that believers are joined to the church by being "added" to it is very concise indeed.
Nonetheless I find that there are some things which I feel requires some revising. For an example, you state that heaven is the head of the church. I simply find it difficult to accept this statement.
It should have been established by now that there is only one "head" of the church, and there is no argument that this is Christ Jesus. The church is merely His body.
I also do not understand what do you mean by "earthly headquarters". I have always thought that the earth was the "headquarter" of the church because this is where it operates.
Perhaps I could attain your thoughts on these matters. God Bless.
Hi Jason,
Thank you for your comment. What i mean is the churches are all one in Universal Church, there don't have a Head Quarters here. In my blof I wrote it as "The head of the church is in Heaven" The Head is of course I am refering to Christ. I hope you will read my article carefully and my explanation is clear.
Thank you.
In her second meaning of the church, she explained that The Universal Church is the body of All Saved People Everywhere, and to "join" this body, one is "added" by the Lord himself. Therefore, we are united because it is the Lord who unites us!
But then later on, she mentioned that the church "should" be more united. I was going to question her on this issue, until I realised that she also explained that there 4 different forms of unity. And so, I went "ahh..."
Spiritually, I believe we are united because God knows who is part of the body. But organically, then I think we have much to improve. Perhaps we should not confuse between the different forms.
Thank You Donny for you comment.
Dear Sis,
You have given us a detailed account of the universal church and its form but you have not answered the question whether the organic form of church unity is workable in our present times and how can the various churches and denominations come together in an organic form of church unity to be an effective witness to the world.
Hi Eunice,
Thanks for your reply. I think your argument-point here is mainly based on your interpretation to your perception of the word, unity. Like you quote on your stand on Organic unity; "The Organic Unity means membership and ordination are joined. Denominations are joined and unite, there is merging of local congregations." But the main focus is on how we Christians is gonna reflect this kind of a unity or rather present Christ in our great commission in evangelizing the world. For example for the Muslims, it doesn't matter which mosque they attend each Friday; as to them the teachings of Islam on Allah is the same. But as for us Christians, this still present an issue in the sight of the unbelievers. The common questions asked by non-believers why are Christians so divided? Which is the right church to go to? Why are there so many claims that you must be a regular attendees to only a selected church; (not to talk about before you can be considered as a member. Can you elaborate on your stand? Thanks.
Eunice, thanks for the concise explanation on organic unity.
The Organic Unity means membership and ordination are joined. Denominations are joined and unite, there is merging of local congregations. There are few meaning to Organic Unity, it is the merging of different denomination, it also refer to combining of fellowship that are basically of the same confessional standard.
there are many advantages of organic unity. but can you share wit us some of disadvantages or "danger" of this unity?
thanks so much
Thanks Freddie, Raymond and MC,
Sometimes it did cross my mind, how come we are not like the Muslim who can go to any mosque on Fri as long as they pray. I believe that Chritian are encourage to be part of a church for a purpose. That is to help the church to grow as well as themselves. When we stay with one church, there is sense of unity, belonging and we will be able to bless the church by serving and participating in their growth.Other than that the leaders in that Church will be able to guide us and protect us if there is any need that arise. If we seriously follow the teaching we will have a strong foundation in the word and also in the Lord.
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