SEMESTER 1
303 – The Definition of the Word Church (Continued) and Exposition # 1
BIBLE INSTITUTE OF CORRESPONDENCE
COURSE: ECCLESIOLOGY I LESSON # 3
THE DEFINITION OF THE WORD CHURCH (CONTINUED) AND SCRIPTURAL EXPOSITION
INTRODUCTION:
1. In the previous lesson, I pointed out that at least 85 of the 112 usages of the word church (ekklesia) or assembly, obviously refer to one particular assembly, such as the church at Corinth.
2. This, however, leaves 27 usages that may refer to something else.
3. It is taught by many that they refer (at least in some cases) to an invisible body composed of all believers.
4. Now, I have denied this in favor of an institutional usage of the word, in reference to any true local church, yet none in particular.
III: The husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church.
5. But this is a large number of verses to simply group and say, “They mean one thing,” without seeing what they mean.
6. Thus, this lesson consist of a simple examination of these verses, perhaps a tedious process, but it is, in fact, the purpose of the institute (Bible study). (Mat. 16:18
, Acts 8:3, Rom. 16:1, I Cor. 11:18,22, I Cor. 12:28, I Cor. 14:4,5,12,19,23,28; I Cor. 15:9, Gal. 1:13, Eph. 1:22, Eph. 3:10, 21, Eph. 5:23, 24,25,27,29,32, Phil. 3:6, Col. 1:18,24, I Tim. 3:15, Heb. 2:12, III Jn. 3:9,10)
The universal idea is destructive to the local and biblical concept of the church.