No 28

(A Definition)

Secular world views of the Biblical Church go from one extreme to another and the true definition is quite misunderstood. The majority of people in the world think it is the Roman Catholic church with the pope as its head. May I say that this church, which I prefer to call an institution, is probably the furthest cry from the true definition of the Biblical Church – they are so close and yet so far away. We, as true Christians, know that the Church, the Body of Christ is made of people who were bought at the price of Christ’s life on the cross and who will be joined one day with Him in heaven.

Here is a definition of the true Christian Church that was written a long time ago by a second century secular Greek philosopher names Aristides.

“They abstain from all impurity, in the hope of the recompense that is to come in another world. As for their servants or handmaids or children, they persuade them to become Christians by the love they have for them; and when they have become so, they call them without distinction, brothers They do not worship strange gods and they walk in all humility and kindness; falsehood is not found among them and they love one another. When they see a stranger, they bring him to their homes and rejoice over him as over a true brother; for they do not call brothers those who are after the flesh; but those who are in the Spirit and in God.

And if there is among them a man who is poor and needy and if they have not the abundance of accessories, they fast two or three days that they may supply the needy with the necessary food.

They observe scrupulously the commandment of their Messiah; they live honestly and soberly as the Lord their God commanded them. Every morning and all hours on account of the goodness of God toward them, they praise and laud Him and over their food and their drink, they render Him thanks.

And if any righteous person of their numbers passes away from this world, they rejoice and give thanks to God and they follow his body as if he were moving from one place to another. And when a child is born unto them, they praise God and if again it chances to die in its infancy, they praise God mightily as for one who has passed through the world without sins.”

(Encyclopaedia Britannica Vol 1 Page 346)

This description was given by someone who observed Christians and wasn’t saved. He noticed that they cared for each other; this is how Jesus wants the Church to be “34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. 35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” John 13:34,35