THE TRUTH ABOUT CHRISTIAN TRADITION

 

Chapter 8

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How the Bible Describes Christians

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Text

Jer. 1:4-5 Then the word of the Lord came to me, saying: “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; Before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations.”

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Memory Verse

2 Tim. 2:19 (NIV) Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness.”

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Introduction

The Bible does not describe Christians as though they are a brand or a club with a name tag. Individually, we are called “living stones” (1 Pet. 2:4-5). Together, we are one body, one temple where God dwells (Eph. 2:21-22; 1 Cor. 3:16-17).

 

God never intended for His people to split into different groups with different names. Jesus said there would be “one flock, one Shepherd” (John 10:16).

 

When you read in the Bible phrases such as “Church of God” or “churches of Christ”, it is talking about location, not a denomination. It means the believers in Christ living out the life Jesus showed us (Eph. 4:17-20). It is not about buildings or labels.

 

Presentation

 

1. How the Bible Describes Christians Collectively

 

These are all talking about the same group of believers, just from different angles:

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1. The Church of God (1 Cor. 1:1-2).

2. The churches of Christ (Rom. 16:16).

3. The Church of the Firstborn (Heb. 12:22-23).

4. The Kingdom of God / Kingdom of Christ (Eph. 5:5).

5. The Household of Faith (Gal. 6:10).

6. The Vineyard of God (1 Cor. 3:9).

7. The House of God (1 Cor. 3:9).

8. The Temple of God (1 Cor. 3:16-17).

9. Members of God’s Household (Eph. 2:19).

10. God’s Dwelling in the Spirit (Eph. 2:22).

11. A Sect (Acts 28:22).

12. A Chosen Generation (1 Pet. 2:9).

13. Living Stones (1 Pet. 2:4-5).

14. A Royal Priesthood (1 Pet. 2:9).

15. A Holy Nation (1 Pet. 2:9).

16. God’s People (1 Pet. 2:9).

17. A Kingdom and Priests (Rev. 5:9-10).

18. The Engaged / Bride of Christ (2 Cor. 11:2-3).

19. The Body of Christ (Col. 1:18, 24; Eph. 4:4).

20. The Truly Circumcised People (Phil. 3:3), etc.

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2. Other Descriptions Based on What We Are Meant to Do

These focus on function and calling:

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1. The Recovered Garden of Eden in the Spirit.

2. The Satellite Heaven on Earth.

3. The New Earth in the Spirit (2 Pet. 3:13).

4. An Annex of Heaven’s Government on Earth.

5. The House Built in the Spirit (Eph. 2:20-22).

6. The Enraptured in the Spirit (Gal. 5:22-23; Jam. 1:2).

7. An Embassy of Heaven’s Government on Earth.

8. The Place of Divine Equality (1 Cor. 4:7; Matt. 20:1-16).

 

3. All These Descriptions Point to One Group

There is only one body of believers in Christ (Eph. 4:4). Nothing makes one group of believers different from another in God’s sight except ignorance (1 Cor. 4:7).

 

One Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God (Eph. 4:4-6). That is what holds us together.

 

4. These Are Descriptions, Not Denominational Names

Naming something tends to divide it and claim ownership (1 Cor. 1:10-13).

 

The only name God gave to unite and save us is Jesus Christ (Acts 4:11-12).

 

God did not plan for multiple kingdoms or multiple kings. Jesus is the only King and Priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.

 

Conclusion

God never intended for His people to break into denominations. He wants one flock under one Shepherd. Every description in the Bible points back to that one body.

 

The goal is not to build a name or a building. It is to live like Jesus and stay united in Him.

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Evaluation Questions & Answers​

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1. There are many names for groups of Christ’s believers in the Bible. True or False? Why?

   • False. The Bible uses many descriptions for believers, but they all refer to the same one body. They are not separate names meant to divide. Eph. 4:4 says there is “one body”.

2. It is good for us to build a strong church. True or False? Why?

   • True, if you mean the people. We should build up believers to be strong in Christ (Eph. 4:12).

   • False, if you mean building, a denomination or a brand. The church is not a physical building or a name. It is people living as God’s temple (1 Cor. 3:16-17).

3. Paul thanked God for Christians in Corinth who said they were “of Paul” dividing from others. True or False? Why?

   • False. Paul rebuked the Corinthians for saying “I am of Paul”, “I am of Apollos”, “I am of Christ” to divide themselves (1 Cor. 1:10-13). He said that kind of division is carnal.

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Prayer

Father, thank You for Your Word. Give us the spirit of oneness in Christ so that the world can see that Christ is one Shepherd over one flock. Help us to reject every form of division and live united in You. Amen.​​​