April 7, 2022 | Silver Spring, Maryland, United States | Ted N.C. Wilson, President, General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists
Ted Wilson (TW): Greetings, friends. Today, Nancy and I will be sharing what the Bible teaches about the Church—what it is, how it began, and what its purpose is today.
Nancy Wilson (NW): From the very beginning, God created human beings to be together, saying “It is not good for man to be alone.” He did not leave Adam alone, but created Eve to be his companion, and together they fellowshipped with God in the Garden, worshipping Him as their Creator.
TW: After the fall, God still provided a way for His people to come together and worship Him in the way He outlined. Adam had been taught by God Himself, and during the nine centuries that he lived on Earth, he imparted his knowledge to his descendants. In the very insightful book, Patriarchs and Prophets, the inspired author tells us that “All the world had opportunity to receive instruction from Adam, and those who feared the Lord had also Christ and angels for their teachers.” She goes on to say it was “At the cherubim-guarded gate of Paradise,” that is, the Garden of Eden, where “the glory of God was revealed, and hither came the first worshipers. Here their altars were reared, and their offerings presented” (Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 83).
NW: In the book, Seventh-day Adventists Believe: An Exposition of the Fundamental Beliefs of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, we read that “From the earliest times, God-fearing families in the lineage of Adam, Seth, Noah, Shem, and Abraham were the guardians of His truth. These households, in which the father functioned as the priest, could be considered the church in miniature. To Abraham, God gave the rich promises through which this household of God gradually became a nation. Israel’s mission was simply an extension of that given to Abraham: To be a blessing to all nations, showing God’s love for the world” (p. 167).
TW: God desired, through Israel, to create the largest church on earth–a church where representatives of all nations would come to worship, learn of the true God, and return to their own people with the message of salvation. Sadly, however, Israel became involved in idolatry, nationalism and pride, and failed to fulfill their mission. When Jesus came, they were looking for a Messiah to free their nation, but not a Messiah to set them free from sin.
While the cross signified the end of Israel’s mission, Christ’s resurrection inaugurated the Christian church and its mission to proclaim salvation through the blood of Jesus Christ. All are invited to accept this free gift of salvation and become a part of God’s Church.
NW: In the Bible, a number of metaphors are used to described God’s Church. For example, in Ephesians 2:16, we read that the cross reconciles all believers “to God in one body.” In 1 Corinthians 12:13 we are told that through the Holy Spirit believers are “baptized into one body.” Colossians 1:18 tells us that Christ is “the head of the body”, and Ephesians 5:23 affirms that He is the “head of the church.” The metaphor of the Church as a body is wonderful as it emphasizes the unity of the Church and the relationship of each member to the whole.
TW: God has given to each member of His church at least one or more spiritual gifts that enable that member to accomplish a vital spiritual function. We will address these important spiritual gifts in another one of our video messages on the fundamental beliefs of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.
Another Biblical metaphor used is God’s Church as a temple. First Corinthians 3:9 describes those who make up God’s Church as “God’s building,” and Ephesians 2:20 and 21 explain that the Church has “been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord.”
NW: God’s Church is also described as a bride, with the Lord as the bridegroom. God solemnly pledges in Hosea 2:19: “I will betroth you to Me forever; yes, I will betroth you to Me in righteousness and justice, in lovingkindness and mercy.” And in Jeremiah 3:14 He pleads, “‘Return, O backsliding children,’ says the Lord; ‘for I am married to you.'” You see, Christ’s love for His church is so deep and lasting that, as it says in Ephesians 5:25, He “loved the church and gave Himself for her.”
Another wonderful metaphor for the church is that of a family that unites heaven and earth. Ephesians 3:14 and 15 describe this beautifully. It reads, “For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named. . .” And it is through this relationship that God is our Father, and we are all brothers and sisters in Christ.
TW: The concept of the Church is an important one and is described in our Fundamental Belief #12, “The Church”, as follows:
“The church is the community of believers who confess Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour. In continuity with the people of God in Old Testament times, we are called out from the world; and we join together for worship, for fellowship, for instruction in the Word, for the celebration of the Lord’s Supper, for service to humanity, and for the worldwide proclamation of the gospel. The church derives its authority from Christ, who is the incarnate Word revealed in the Scriptures. The church is God’s family; adopted by Him as children, its members live on the basis of the new covenant. The church is the body of Christ, a community of faith of which Christ Himself is the Head. The church is the bride for whom Christ died that He might sanctify and cleanse her. At His return in triumph, He will present her to Himself a glorious church, the faithful of all the ages, the purchase of His blood, not having spot or wrinkle, but holy and without blemish.”
If you would like to know more about this fundamental belief, I encourage you to visit the URL shown at the bottom of the screen [www.adventist.org/the-church/].
I also highly encourage you to read the wonderful book, The Acts of the Apostles, by Ellen G. White, and particularly the first chapter, entitled, “God’s Purpose for His Church.” This book is available for free download in many languages at www.egwwritings.org, or on the EGW app.
Friends, God has given us the wonderful privilege of being part of His body, of His Church. He invites us to work together in unity with Him, giving His message of love and reconciliation to a world in desperate need. Let us invite others to be a part of His Church and thank Him for this wonderful gift today.
[Prayer]. Father in heaven. Thank you for initiating. In the throne of heaven. The wonderful plan of salvation and reconciliation. Where Christ himself agreed to come to this earth and to live a perfect life to die for us, to be rising from the grave and then rising into heaven. To intercede for us as our high priest, and then to come and take us home because he loves his people. He loves his church. Thank you for letting us be part of an organization that is directly under God’s supervision. His church to proclaim His word to the world. Now, Lord, we commit ourselves and your church into your hands. And thank you for letting us be part of your church, your people in Jesus name. Amen.