314 – Metaphors Describing the Church (A Building)

SEMESTER 1

314 – Metaphors Describing the Church (A Building)

BIBLE INSTITUTE OF CORRESPONDENCE

COURSE:  ECCLESIOLOGY I LESSON # 14
METAPHORS DESCRIBING THE CHURCH (A BUILDING)

INTRODUCTION:

1. Metaphorical teaching is very broadly used in Scripture, “lively stones” (I Pet. 2:5), “vine” (Jn. 15:1), “cornerstone” (Eph. 2:20), “branches” (Jn. 15:5), etc.
2. To literalize these is to lose the illustration and teaching God intended in them.
3. For several lessons we will consider metaphors of the church: family, husbandry, building, body, bride, etc.
4. In this particular lesson consider the church, described as a building. (Read I Cor. 3:9-13, Eph. 2:19-22, I Pet. 2:4-7.)
5. Carefully note the metaphorical nature of the church as a building and its spiritual relationship application.

I. CHRIST IS THE FOUNDATION AND CORNERSTONE (I COR. 3:10-12, I PET. 2:6)

1. In that He is the foundation of all personal relationship to God. (Lk. 6:48-49)
2. In that He is the origin of the church. (Mat. 16:18)
3. In that He is the rock upon which it survives and functions. (Mat. 28:18-20)
4. The “cornerstone” of ancient times was the originating point and reference point of and for every building.
5. The proper placement and position of any individual stone was determined by its relationship to the cornerstone.

II. WE ARE PARTS OF THE BUILDING, ACCORDING TO GOD’S PLEASURE

1. The error of errors is to try to choose our position (God is the architect).
2. The apostles and prophets were a secondary foundation. (Eph. 2:20)
3. They had positions to which we cannot ascend. (Eph. 4:7-12)
4. To usurp position or authority in this “building relationship” is a serious mistake. (I Cor. 4:1-7)

III: Simon the sorcerer, (Acts 8:18-23).

III. WE ARE BUILDERS ACCORDING TO GOD’S PLEASURE (I COR. 3:9-13)

1. Scripture likens us, not only to parts of the building, “lively stones” (I Pet. 2:5), but to builders of the building. (I Cor. 3:10b)
2. The instructions for building are basically twofold:

i. Do not try to lay any other foundation, or alter the one laid, which is Christ.
ii. Take heed how you build, for much “work for God” will not stand the test. (I Cor. 3:13-14)

3. The application to this metaphorical teaching is this:

i. Religious work done for self-glory is of no value.
ii. The following of men for personality’s sake is carnality.
iii. The proper pattern for this work of building is Mat. 28:19-20.
iv. The proper attitude toward ourselves is I Cor. 3:7 and I Cor. 3:21-23. The planter and the waterer are nothing.
v. The truth of all progress is I Cor. 3:6-7. “God gave the increase.”

IV. THIS BUILDING (THE CHURCH) IS GOD’S TEMPLE (I COR. 3:16)

1. The Scripture teaches that the physical body of Christians is the temple of the Holy Ghost.
2. The same truth is taught of the church. (I Cor. 3:16-17)
3. This does not mean God dwells in the church building, and that it is holy as a building. (Acts 17:24)
4. God, the Holy Spirit, does, however, meet with and dwell in His congrega­tion.
5. Our coming together should thus be considered a most sacred time.
6. Every Christian should be most careful of his or her conduct in these meetings. (I Cor. 3:17)
7. Dare we defile this sacred assembly with:

i. Unconfessed sin and a heart of rebellion.
ii. A spirit of pride and self-exaltation.
iii. A spirit of contempt for fellow Christians.
iv. A spirit of criticism and self-righteousness.

8. Let no man underestimate the value God puts upon this sacred “building,” the church.