Dictionaries :: Concerning Redemption, The Union Between Believers

Torrey's New Topical Textbook

Concerning Redemption, The Union Between Believers: The Church and Its Institutions

(Condensed from the Schaff-Herzogg Encyclopedia)

Concerning Redemption, The Union Between Believers: The Church

a. The word "ecclesia" in the New Testament means either the universal church of Christ, or a local congregation.

b. The early Christian church began on the day of Pentecost; and it was at first composed of the disciples whom Jesus had personally gathered. It was a community inside of Judaism, with peculiar worship and government. It was the "ecclesia"; and by this name Paul calls it in his earliest epistles, whether in Palestine or outside.

1Th 2:14.

Its complete name was the "Church of God," or the "Church of Christ"

(Rom 16:16), whether of a single congregation, or of the whole body of believers.

It was made up of the "sanctified in Christ Jesus"

(1Cr 1:2),

the "called saints"

(Rom 1:7),

the "holy nation"

(1Pe 2:9).

In the deep conception of Paul every believer was united with Christ, and entered this close union through baptism.

1Cr 12:13; Gal 3:27.

The church was Christ's body, of which He was the Head.

Col 1:14; 2:19.

c. For church government, see in the encyclopedias the articles on the different denominations.

Concerning Redemption, The Union Between Believers: The Sacraments

These are baptism and the Lord's Supper.

For a discussion of the sacraments, consult the leading theological works in your denomination.