Is the church more of an organization or an organism?

Sincerely,
Orderly

Dear Orderly,

The argument over whether the church is an organization or an organism has come up in recent years because of the debate over whether there is a need for organized religion at all.

Many people in today’s modern world view themselves as Christians but also don’t feel any need to place membership with a local congregation or to have any organization to their spirituality at all.  Is Christianity a disorganized organism, or is there an organization and structure to how the church should function? What does the Bible say?

When Paul talked to Timothy about the church, he said that it was the pillar and ground of the truth, and there was a certain way that we should behave in it (1 Tim 3:15).  When the Corinthian church was running in a disorganized fashion and people were just shouting and talking over one another, Paul rebuked them and said that the church should do all things “decently and in order” (1 Cor 14:40).  He also told them to make sure and wait for one another when they assembled to take the Lord’s Supper (1 Cor 11:33).

Every expectation of the church that we find in the New Testament points toward organized religion.  The book of Ephesians says that the church can find unity and oneness only in following the organized standards of the Holy Spirit (Eph 4:3-6).

5 minutes a day
5 days a week
1 New Testament in a year

There are 261 weekdays in a year, and there are 260 chapters in the New Testament. By reading one chapter, Monday through Friday, you will read the whole New Testament by the end of the year. The Daily Cup series is to help with that goal.

Happy Studying!

"The LORD is my chosen portion and my cup." -- Psalm 16:5

Click here for a pdf of the study schedule - CLICK HERE

(This is a follow-up to “New To Us”.)

     What are the exact Scriptures that spell out the new laws Christ established?  If I had a list of the laws, it sure would be easier to make sure I'm following them.  It seems like every time I visit services, my preacher finds something in Scripture I must follow that I didn't see before.  If he weren't delineating all the laws for me to follow, I'm sure I would be lost. How do I know when a principle has been followed well enough and followed to absolute truth?  Seems like doing my best isn't good enough when I'm told I can always be more right.

Sincerely,
A minus

Dear A minus,

The whole New Testament is the compiled set of laws that Christ established.  Christianity isn’t just a short set of rules that can be quickly mastered.  The Bible is a life-changing book that you will spend a lifetime applying to your heart, mind, and actions.  The apostle Paul said that it was like an athlete carefully preparing his body for a match – we must shape our entire being around Christ (1 Cor 9:25-27).

Ps 119:160 says that the sum of God’s Word is truth.  If there were a short list of things you needed to do to be like Christ, we wouldn’t need the whole Bible.  The Bible is exactly the size it needs to be to convey all the ideas and principles God knows we need.

But don’t despair!  God understands that you don’t know everything and that we are all works in progress.  Being a Christian is like growing up – we start as babies and take baby steps until we get stronger (1 Pet 2:2).  Instead of feeling dismayed at all the things you don’t know yet, think of every new principle you will learn like a precious gem that God gives us along the way to heaven.

5 minutes a day
5 days a week
1 New Testament in a year

There are 261 weekdays in a year, and there are 260 chapters in the New Testament. By reading one chapter, Monday through Friday, you will read the whole New Testament by the end of the year. The Daily Cup series is to help with that goal.

Happy Studying!

"The LORD is my chosen portion and my cup." -- Psalm 16:5

Click here for a pdf of the study schedule - CLICK HERE

Please let me know if there is any Scripture(s) in the Bible when Jesus told anyone, “I love you.”  I am being challenged by a friend who says that Jesus never told anyone while He was on Earth directly that He loved them.

Sincerely,
Affectionate

Dear Affectionate,

There are several examples in the Bible where it is clear that Jesus loved someone.  Mk 10:21 says that Jesus loved the rich young ruler who asked Him what it takes to be saved (Mk 10:17).   Jesus told His disciples that they should love one another the way He loved them (Jhn 13:34).  The book of John refers to “the disciple whom Jesus loved” on multiple occasions (Jhn 20:2, Jhn 21:7).  Jesus says that He loves us like the Father does (Jhn 15:12).  There is no doubt that Jesus loves us and specifically told His apostles that He loved them.