“And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock, I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”
Matthew 16:18
Understanding what the Church is all about will make us not to be tossed to and fro, or carried about with every wind of doctrine concerning the church of God. There are churches and there are churches! These days we hear about the church of Satan, the church of Mormon or churches that are established by men just to perpetuate their nefarious activities. Any church other than the church of God is fake and counterfeit which must be rejected! It is germane to know that the Church of God is founded on the confession (Rock) that Jesus is the Christ (Messiah) the Son of the living God. Therefore the church belongs to Christ! No man owns the church of God! Jesus Christ is the Chief Cornerstone and Head of His church.
What is a church?
A church is an assembly of believers in Jesus Christ. It is made up of believers who have experienced forgiveness because of the shed blood of Jesus Christ at Calvary. A church is a local gathering of two or three believers! “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”
Matthew 18:20
A church is also the universal church body which is made up of believers of Jesus Christ from every tribe, tongue and nation. The Bible says, “And they sang a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;”
Rev 5:9
The church is not just a place we go to on Sundays. It is God’s people in a place that makes the church. As such, when believers gather together in a hotel, for instance, the hotel becomes a church! We are God’s temple and God lives in us by His Spirit. “In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto a holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are built together for a habitation of God through the Spirit.”
Ephesians 2:21-22
The church is governed by a crop of leaders such as apostles, teachers, pastors, prophets and evangelists.
Let’s consider 3 basic assignments of local church leadership:
- To feed the church with knowledge and understanding!
“And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.”
Jeremiah 3:15
“Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;”
1 Peter 5:2 - To prepare the church for service!
“For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.”
Ephesians 4:12 - To serve as veritable examples to the church!
“Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being examples to the flock.”
1 Peter 5:3
I decree and declare that you will add value to your local church in Jesus’ mighty name.
Yours sincerely,
Joe Jesimiel Ogbe
Ydiradio.com
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