Is God’s true church made up only of believers?
(Ex. 32:1-14, 32; Eph. 2:19; Phil. 2:15; Heb. 10:23-25)
Prepared by Richard A. Marin: Present Truth PO Box 700, Fallbrook CA 92088-0700 USA
REVIEW: Human beings were created to work. Our work became more difficult when sin entered. Since then no fruit is produced without diligent human effort and the resistance of nature. God has made ample provision for all our needs so that out of our abundance we may supply the needs of others. The Bible teaches that the poor, the unfortunate, and the stranger should be helped by those who are able. All our good works earn us no merit or salvation but they are our response to God’s saving work for us in Christ. Our hope that God will eventually make all things right should not hinder our efforts in helping others, but rather we should maintain an attitude of generosity, peacemaking, and defending the rights of others rather than our own.
God’s church on earth (Exodus 32:1-14, 32; Mat. 10:7-8Gal. 6:9-10; )
1. What is the church? The church is a community of people called out of the world to serve God & others.
2. Is God’s true church made up only of believers? No, God’s church contains both wheat & tares – believers & unbelievers.
3. Besides helping those outside the church and preaching the Gospel to them what other responsibility does the church have? The church also has the responsibility of preaching the Gospel to & helping those inside the church.
4. In all its actions who is the church to represent? Jesus.
5. When many see corruption in God’s church what are they tempted to do? They are tempted to abandon God’s church & ask God to make of themselves a new church.
6. What great man of God refused the temptation to let God destroy his people and make of himself a new people? Moses.
7. What demonstrates the extreme commitment that Moses had to God’s corrupt people? He asked God to remove him from God’s Book of Life if God refused to forgive the sins of his corrupt people.
8. Are you, like Daniel, asking God to forgive the sins of his corrupt church? I hope so, or restoration will not come.
The outreach of the church (Acts 6:7; Phil. 2:15; Titus 2:14)
9. How does Paul describe the influence of church members in the world? As lights that shine, brightening earth’s darkness.
10. What aspect of the church makes its outreach more effective? Its organization.
11. Why do you think many priests joined the early church when it reorganized forming the office of deacon? Probably because they saw that the early Christian church was doing everything decently & in order — & because of the testimony of Stephen.
12. When Jesus sent out the twelve disciples what did he include in their commission? Jesus told the twelve to go, to preach, to heal, to cleanse, to raise the dead, & to cast out devils.
13. According to Titus 2:14 how should God’s people be characterized in the community? As zealous of good works.
14. What advantage does the church have over secular organizations that seek to help the needy? The church has the Holy Spirit & angels helping them as well as the integrity of its members.
The in-reach of the church (John 13:34-35; Rom. 12:3-6; Gal. 6:9-10; Eph. 4:11-13; Heb. 10:23-25)
15. What internal aspect of God’s church demonstrates to the world that it is God’s true church? The love one for another that its members have.
16. Why were gifts given to the members of God’s church? For the perfecting of the saints so that they might come into perfect unity.
17. In Hebrews 10 what things does Paul say should be happening in the church as it sees the Marriage of the Lamb approaching? Its members should remain strong in faith, encouraging one another to love & good works, & they should be gathering together, not only on earth but to heaven’s Most Holy Place.