I believe the church is a fellowship of followers of Jesus Christ, worshipping God, encouraging one another, growing in the knowledge of God, and going out to be a witness to the world.
Ekklesia is the Greek word for church meaning “called out ones.” In Eph. 1:22, 23, the church is called His body. Paul, in I Cor. 1:2, addressed the church as sanctified and saints. Acts 5:12-14 says “they were all with one accord in Solomon’s Porch. Yet none of the rest dared join them, but the people esteemed them highly.” Note that the church was in one accord, they were very distinct from the world, but highly respected by the world.
I believe the purity and purpose of today’s church is in danger because the church wants to determine its success by the world’s standards rather than God’s. Some of these dangers are:
- Determining success by quantity rather than by quality. Paul never mentioned the size of a church, but constantly stressed spiritual maturity and growth.
- Accommodating sin rather than confronting sin. Jesus was not accommodating to the rich ruler or to Nicodemus. Paul was not accommodating when he told the Corinthian church to put out a member if he was unrepentant.
- Allowing the world to influence the church. The world’s marketing practices, music and dress have invaded the church.
- A casual approach to God. A. W. Tozer said many years ago, “We have lost the awe of God.” What would he say now?
- Disunity. Some churches consider some of their members to be expendable as they seek to attract the masses.
Some churches seem to exist to please their “customers,” rather than trying to please God.
We need to return to the concept of a pilgrim church, the church that will be hated, rejected, despised, persecuted, yet be an incisive, decisive, victorious minority, which one day soon, will be ready for its heavenly Bridegroom as the perfect Bride.” John Piper, in The Pleasures of God.