The Divine Origin of the Church: Unveiling Biblical Prophecies
Understanding the divine origin of the church is essential for grasping its significance. This lesson delves into the timeless purpose and prophetic foundations of the church, emphasizing its establishment according to God's eternal plan as foretold in the Old Testament by prophets like Daniel and Isaiah. The Church of the Bible was not a human invention but a divine entity predetermined from eternity. Through the meticulous analysis of biblical passages, the true essence and origin of the church come to light, shedding clarity on its profound spiritual significance and divine orchestration.
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Lesson 7: The Divine Origin of the Church
The Divine Origin of the Church I. Having Knowledge about the Origin of Anything Is Desired and Important. II. Knowing the Origin of the Church Will Help Us to Understand It Tremendously. A. Where did the church come from? When did it start? Who started it? B. There is great confusion today about the church. C. Was man responsible for the establishment and beginning of the church? D. Was God responsible for the establishment and beginning of the church? E. Since we read about the church in the Bible, then the Bible is our sole source of information and direction.
The Divine Origin of the Church III.The Church of the Bible Was Purposed in the Mind of God from Eternity. A. The Bible teaches that the church was in accordance with the eternal purpose which [God] carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord (Eph. 3:10-11, NASB). B. We need to understand that God had a plan/purpose in place from everlasting. C. The church was not a last-minute thought, addition or change to the unfolding of God s plan through the progression of time. D. The church was established according to the eternal purpose of God!
The Divine Origin of the Church IV.The Church of the Bible Was Prophesied in the Old Testament. A. The prophet Daniel foretold the establishment of God s church. 1. By the God in heaven, Daniel interpreted a dream of King Nebuchadnezzar (Dan. 2). 2. The interpretation of the dream foretold of four successive world empires. 3. In pointing toward this last (fourth) empire, Daniel prophesied about the church, the stone which would become a great mountain and fill the whole earth. 4. Here is a very clear and descriptive prophecy about the establishment of the church. 5. The New Testament church is the fulfillment of God s Old Testament prophecies about His coming kingdom, as the church is His kingdom (Matt. 16:18-19).
The Divine Origin of the Church IV.The Church of the Bible Was Prophesied in the Old Testament. B. The prophet Isaiah foretold the establishment of God s church. 1. Isaiah wrote and spoke to a degenerate people who were turning away from God and who would soon find themselves away from God. 2. But, Isaiah, the Messianic prophet, pointed to better and brighter days ahead for Israel and for all mankind. 3. In pointing toward those better days, Isaiah prophesied about the church. 4. Here is a very clear and descriptive prophecy about the establishment of the church. 5. The New Testament church is the fulfillment of God s Old Testament prophecies about His coming house, as the church is His house (1 Tim. 3:15). C. Multiple prophecies are made in the Old Testament regarding the establishment of the church, usually referring to it as a house and a kingdom (see 2 Samuel 7:12-16).
The Divine Origin of the Church V. The Church of the Bible Was Prepared for in the Early Days of the New Testament. A. John the Baptist, the forerunner of Christ who was sent to prepare the way of the Lord, went about preaching, Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand! (Matt. 3:2). B. When Jesus started His ministry, He went about preaching, Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand (Matt. 4:17). C. When Jesus sent His twelve apostles out to the lost sheep of the house of Israel, He told them to preach, The kingdom of heaven is at hand (Matt. 10:6-7). D. When Jesus sent seventy disciples out, He told them to preach, The kingdom of God has come near to you (Luke 10:9-11). E. The message being preached during the life and ministry of Jesus was preparing people for the imminent ( at hand ) coming of the long- awaited church/kingdom. F. Jesus made every preparation necessary for the establishment of His kingdom.
The Divine Origin of the Church VI.The Church of the Bible Was Promised Specifically and Clearly By Jesus Christ. A. The first time we ever read the word church in the Bible is in Matthew 16, and it is coming from the lips of Jesus. 1. Peter made the great confession about the deity of Jesus (which was a revealed truth from heaven): You are the Christ, the Son of the living God (Matt. 16:16). 2. Jesus then announced: On this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it (Matt. 16:18). 3. Jesus added that He would provide the keys of the kingdom of heaven (i.e., the means of entrance). 4. Notice that Jesus used the terms church and kingdom interchangeably in Matthew 16:18-19. This is significant to understand the words are synonymous.
The Divine Origin of the Church VI.The Church of the Bible Was Promised Specifically and Clearly By Jesus Christ. B. Just a short time later, after His promise in Matthew 16:18, Jesus made a promise to those living in His day. 1. Assuredly, I say to you that there are some standing here who will not taste death till they see the kingdom of God present with power (Mark 9:1; cf. Matt. 16:28). 2. Jesus not only promised to build His church, He promised to build His church/kingdom in the lifetime of those hearing His words. C. Cross-reference these promises of Jesus below and you ll see how He pinpointed the establishment of His church, using the keyword power to tie them all together.
The Divine Origin of the Church VII.The Church of the Bible Was Purchased By Jesus Christ! A. Christ did not merely make promises. Christ took matters into His own hands to guarantee it. B. The Bible makes a compelling statement about Jesus personal investment in the church: He purchased [the church of God] with His own blood (Acts 20:28). C. The power of the blood of Jesus saves the sinner and purchases the church. 1. The blood of Jesus saves the individual sinner from his sins (Rev. 1:5). 2. Then, those saved by the blood of Jesus are added together to the body of the saved (Acts 2:41, 47), which is the church purchased with His own blood (Acts 20:28). 3. Jesus loved the church so much that He gave Himself for her (Eph. 5:25). He is the Savior of the body (Eph. 5:23), which is the church (Eph. 1:22-23). 4. One cannot separate (1) salvation through Christ and (2) the church of Christ! They are inseparably linked together by His precious blood!
The Divine Origin of the Church VIII.The Church of the Bible Was Established on the Day of Pentecost in Acts 2. A. Acts chapter 2 describes the events that took place on the first Pentecost after the resurrection and ascension of Jesus. When the Day of Pentecost had fully come (2:1). B. Notice some key details about the events of Acts 2: 1. Where the events of Acts 2 took place: Jerusalem (Acts 2:5). 2. Upon whom the events at the beginning of Acts 2 befell: The apostles ( they in 2:1 + apostles in 1:26). 3. Who came in the events of Acts 2: They were filled with the Holy Spirit (2:4, 17). 4. From where the Holy Spirit came in the events of Acts 2: From heaven (2:2). 5. What power was evident in the events of Acts 2: the apostles began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance (2:4).
The Divine Origin of the Church VIII.The Church of the Bible Was Established on the Day of Pentecost in Acts 2. D. Summary of events in Acts 2: 1. In Jerusalem 2. On the apostles 3. The Holy Spirit came 4. From on high 5. With Power 6. The kingdom came (was present ). E. This conclusion is inescapable. 1. The kingdom of God s eternal purpose was established in Acts 2. 2. The kingdom of Old Testament prophecy was established in Acts 2. 3. The kingdom of preparation (through the preaching of John and Jesus) was established in Acts 2. 4. The kingdom and the church are the very same entities!
The Divine Origin of the Church VIII.The Church of the Bible Was Established on the Day of Pentecost in Acts 2. F. The last verse of Acts 2 affirms the establishment of the church on that day: And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved (2:47, NKJV). G. The events of Acts 2 are viewed in the Bible as the beginning. H. After the events of Acts 2, every statement about or in reference to the church/kingdom was made about an institution that was already in existence.
