This study was first taught on August 26, 2018

Topic: What is the Church of God? (6): The 4 ‘P’s (3)

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Background
Last week (in Part 41), we looked at the third ‘P’ that makes a church to be rightly called, the church of the Living God, and not a cult, club, or village association—we looked at Power. We saw that the ‘power’ of the church is the relationship between the church and the people outside the church in its ‘place’ (external relations), and the relationship among the saints themselves (internal affairs) on the one hand; and the ability and authority of the church in both external and internal relations, on the other hand.

With regards to external relations, we noted that the church loses power when it refuses to conduct herself contrary to God’s word with respect to unbelievers (1 Peter 2:11—3:7; Romans 2:24). With regards to internal affairs, the power of the church lies in her expression of love and concern for one another. Indeed, the Lord Jesus Christ is the power of the church, and as long as we are doing His Will, power is released to, and, through the church!

Also, we noted that while the ability to do is one aspect of the power of God in manifestation, the most important aspect of ability, as indicative of the power of the church is the ability to be like Christ—herein lies the steady flow of the power of God. Again, we noted that the authority the church exercises with respect to both external and internal affairs derive from God and should not be abused, else, the church loses power. The authority of the church becomes effective when it is under the authority of God with respect to how the church should conduct herself in the world, and when there is discipline, decency, and order in the church herself (administered by her Administrators—the elders).

We noted that the power of the church manifests in her love for unbelievers and believers alike! We concluded thus:
(a) Without the Holy Spirit, the power of God is lacking, and as such a people gathered without the Holy Spirit is not the church of God.
(b) Since the power of the church derives from God and is based on our love for God and righteous living, and a people gathered as a church, are unable to impact or influence the locality of their dwelling with the love and righteousness of God, they are not the church of the Living God.
(c) If the people who are in the church cannot be distinguished by the peculiarity of their lifestyle and values as being of Christ, they cannot manifest the power of God to live righteously, and are, therefore, not the church of God.
(d) If the people in a church display lawlessness, indiscipline, and. disorder, in their locality, they are not the church of God, as they are unable to display the power of God.
(e) The church of God will always manifest the love of God in showing mercy and compassion to a dying world through intercession, benevolence, and the preaching of the true gospel to the unsaved in power.
(f) Where there is internal cohesion, discipline, and order, among the saints in a place, there, the power of God will be manifest, and there, we have the church of God.
(g) When the government (eldership) of a church is local and not across localities, neither is it regional, there we have the church of God with the power of God.
(h) Where the manifestation/demonstration of the ability of the church is ameliorated by the authority of the church, both enveloped in the love of God, there, the power of God is present, and there is the church of God.

Scripture Text(s)
Acts 2:1-4; 1:8; Proverbs 29:18
So far, in considering what makes a church the church of the Living God, we have seen who the people who make a church the church of God are, where they are located, and by what power they operate and how that power is released. In our third scripture text, the Amplified Bible puts it as, “Where there is no vision [no redemptive revelation of God], the people perish; but he who keeps the law [of God, which includes that of man]—blessed (happy, fortunate, and enviable) is he.” and Living Bible reads, “Where there is ignorance of God, crime runs wild, but what a wonderful thing it is for a nation to know and keep His law.”
Our third scripture text essentially points to why the church was placed in its locality and empowered by God; such that in the absence of this reason or purpose, it cannot be said to be the church of God. It may indeed be a philanthropic organization, or be engaging in civic social responsibility, but in the absence of its primary purpose, it will just be like any secular organization. So, what is the primary purpose of the church of the Living God?
Luke 24:46-49; Mark 16:15-18; Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 11:26; 18:5-11; 1 Peter 2:9; Ephesians 3:8-11; 2:14-22.

Conclusion
If the saints in a locality are not engaging in the primary purpose of proclaiming the gospel (evangelism), making disciples of those who have accepted Christ through doctrinal teachings, making known to the world the knowledge of God and His longing desire for their redemption, and, by demonstrating the love of God to one another, they are not the church of God, but an aberration!

Someone may say, “But what of the demonstration of miracles, healing, etc.?” Miracles, healing, etc., are a launching pad to preaching the gospel, but not the primary purpose of the gospel (Matthew 7:21-23; Acts 3:11ff; Romans 11:29). This explains why the apostles went straight to work once the 3,000 souls were added to their number (Acts 2:41ff). Baptism did not confer on them the full status of disciples, but an identification mark as belonging to the body of Christ (Acts 8:9-23).

Therefore, the true church of the Living God is made up of saints in a locality with power to be like Christ (submissive, humble, holy) and do His Will, so as to fulfill the purpose of God in bringing together all men as at the first, before the fall of man (Genesis 1:26-28; Revelation 21:1-8).

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