1 Corinthians 1:2-3 Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
The church is not a building. The church is not a denomination. The church is not a business. The church is made up of those people who are of the new creation through faith in Jesus Christ. The apostles greeting to the church at Corinth is very informative as to who the church is.
The Church of God – the church is that group of people who literally belong to God because he has purchased them.
Acts 20:28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
Sanctified in Christ Jesus – the church are those who are sanctified or made holy in Christ. This is our present possession! We are holy not because of the holy things we do but because of the Holy One who lives in us.
Called to be saints – As the Holy Spirit lives in us, our calling is to be led by the Spirit and lead a holy life. This can never happen in our own strength but only happens as the Holy Spirit of God bears fruit in our lives. We are saints not because of what we do but because of who lives in us. The church is full of saints – every believer in Christ is one.
Calls upon the name of Jesus Christ – The church are those who call upon the name of Jesus. His name is above all names.
Acts 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
We call upon his name to save us and we call upon his name in dependence to give us victory in life. He is our Lord and we acknowledge him as the virgin born, Son of God who is God.
Grace and peach from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ – Grace and peace belong to the church. No man can have the grace of God apart from faith in Jesus Christ. No man can have peace in his heart apart from faith in Jesus Christ. This is the privilege of the church. We have these in Christ and we walk in this grace and peace.
What an amazing reality it is to be the church!
In Christ,
Rody
