ED ROSS
From Ed Ross' Timbrel & Dance Weekly Publication
Feature Article:
Who Needs a Church?
So when they had appointed elders in every church, and prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in
whom they had believe. Acts 14:23
And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: not forsaking the assembling of
ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the
day approaching. Heb 10:24-25
I heard a popular personality say this week that belonging to a local church is not necessary, and even
detrimental for a true Christian. The New Testament clearly teaches otherwise.
The word church in the Greek is ekklesia, and had the common meaning of assembly. The very first New
Testament believers were joined together in a very close-knit fellowship (Acts 2:38-47) called “the church.” As the
gospel of Christ went forth, local assemblies of believers were established in each city, and official leadership was
appointed to oversee each church. (Acts 14:23; Titus 1:5). In over 95% of the times the word church is used in
the New Testament (98 of 103, depending the manuscript) it refers to a local organized assembly of believers, with
established leadership- pastors (elders) and deacons. While ekklesia is used in a few places to refer collectively
to all believers of all places and times, (a precious truth in itself) it is clearly the corporeal local assemblies that
are Christ’s appointed way of nurturing and equipping his saints to carrying out His will on earth today. These
churches may associate together for missions, education, or other purposes, but the integrity and primacy of the
local church should be respected, and not obscured.
What are the primary objectives of the church’s ministry?
There are many activities and programs in which a church may be involved, but, biblically, there are only five
primary ministry functions of the church through the working of the Holy Spirit, and upon the foundation of biblical
truth:
(1) Worship. Worship is the expression of adoration and praise toward God, done in spirit and in truth (John 4:24).
That is, it must be genuine, from a heart indwelt by the Holy Spirit; and it must be in response to the truths of God
revealed in scripture. Worship, then, must be the fruit of a personal relationship with God through Christ.
(2) Fellowship & Care. The church is to be a nurturing and edifying fellowship where Christian believers are
encouraged and cared for by one another.
(3) Training & Equipping for Ministry. Every member of a church is to be a minister, serving God with the unique
gifts and resources given to each. Christ gives pastors and teachers of various sorts to the churches to equip the
saints (believers) for their work of ministry through preaching and teaching (Eph 4:11-12).
(4) Mission. The church does not exist for itself, but for the glorifying of God, as it collectively and individually
becomes salt and light to the world. The overarching mission is to proclaim the saving grace of Jesus Christ to the
nations (Matt 28:19-20). This certainly includes sending called and prepared servants into the world to preach and
teach (missionaries), However, just as important, are individuals living for God’s glory as they exercise their gifts
and callings in their daily lives.
(5) Report & Testimony. The ministry cycle of the church isn’t complete until there is a sharing with the body of
believers as to what God is doing in and through the members and works of the church. Throughout scripture the
testimony of God’s working is a key motivator and enhancer of powerful worship and greater service.
How is the ministry of the church to be financially supported?
In every time and culture, the fulfilling of the church’s mission requires monetary/material support. What is to be
the source of these funds? Throughout the Bible, God has established that His work is to be carried on primarily
through the free-will offerings of his people. Giving cheerfully and without compulsion is to be an act of worship in
itself for every child of God. Whatever portion we give is to be a loving acknowledgment that all we have and are,
belongs to God, and our desire is for His glory and the salvation of others.
With so many denominations and different local churches, what identifies a true church of Jesus Christ?
There are many reasons for the diversity of churches today, some for good reason, and some, not so good.
However, all true churches of Jesus Christ share some absolute beliefs in common, regardless of their name:
The inspiration and authority of the Bible as the Word of God. (Matthew 4:4; Acts 17:11; 2 Timothy 3:15-17, 4:1-
4; 2 Peter 1:19-21 ); The Trinity: there is one true and living God who is the creator and sustainer of all things, and
who exists eternally as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. (Deut.4:39; Isaiah 44:6; Genesis 1, Exodus 20:11; Psalm
33:6,9; Colos.1:15; Mathew 28:19; John1:1-3; 14:6-9; Colossians 1:13-18, 2:9); The Deity and Humanity of Christ
(Matthew 16:27; 25:31-32; Luke 9:26; Acts 1:11; Hebrews 10:37; Titus 2:13; Rev. 1:7); A literal eternal Heaven
and eternal Hell. (Matthew 10:28; 23:33; 25:41 Mark 9:43-48; Like 12:4-5; 16:23; 2 Peter 2:4; revelation 20:10,15);
Salvation and eternal life are only through personal faith in Jesus Christ and his atoning work. (John 3:16; Acts
4:12; 16:31; Romans 3:20,28); There is a literal resurrection and personal judgment of all people before God. (1
Corinthians 15; Romans 14:11-12; Rev. 20:11-15)
There are some true churches which hold to these beliefs under the majority of Christian denominational labels,
today, but there are many which do not. It is very important to investigate the true beliefs of an individual church
before uniting to it.
In summary, then, why is church membership so important?
(1) The local church is clearly established in God’s Word as His ordained format for worship and service.
(2) Every Christian is spiritually “born” and gifted to be a living part of a body of believers. (1 Corinthians 12;
Ephesians 2:20-22; 1 Peter 2:5)
(3) God has given pastors and teachers in the church to equip believers for maturity and service through the
preaching and teaching of His Word. (Ephesians 4:11-12)
(4) All believers need the nurturing and encouragement of other believers. (1 Corinthians 12:14-21, 25-26;
Colossians 3:16; )
(5) Practically speaking, official membership is necessary to help establish leadership and conduct business.
If you are a believer, please consider carefully your need to be an involved member of a Christ-centered, biblically
sound fellowship of believers; if you are not yet a believer, consider seeking God in a local Bible based Church.
-ejr3
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Walking with Jesus... a devotional minute.
In His Hands.
And they say unto him, We have here only five loaves, and two fishes. He said, Bring them here to me.
Matt.14:17-18
And the LORD said unto [Moses], What is that in your hand? And he said, A rod. And the Lord said, Cast it on
the ground. Exodus 4:2
The situation seemed impossible. Five thousand hungry men (plus women and children), and one lad with a
some fish and bread. But skip forward a bit, and we see five thousand men full to their hearts’ content, and twelve
baskets extra. What lies between these scenes is very instructive. We see a boy giving up his lunch and placing
it in the hands of Jesus. Thus were his meager resources about to become the overabundant blessing of
thousands. Friend, do you see your “meager” resources as too insignificant for the Lord to use. Are your gifts and
abilities, money, education, intellect, position, or health, too little or to frail to do much for the Lord? Remember
Moses’ “stick”, the widow’s handful of meal (1 Kings 17:8-16), another with her empty borrowed pots (2 Kings
4:1-7), and our Lord’s own earthly poverty. God’s power and blessing is in what you have, not in what you think
you need. Place it in Jesus’ hands to bless, than receive it back and begin to serve God and others. You will find
an overabundance of sufficiency. -ejr3
________________________
The Timbrel & Dance Weekly
June 29, 2010
Vol. 1 No. 8
Shepherds of Sinai
Legal leaders lords would be,
They turn the gospel upside down;
Binding up - not setting free,
Adorning grace with thorny crowns.
Shepherds of the pseudo-grace
Proclaiming legal logic wise,
Give righteous zeal a fleshly taste,
And cripple sheep and blind their eyes.
The Savior said to all His own
That tears and trials shall surely come;
But sad it is, when for the sheep,
They suffer ‘neath a shepherd’s thumb.
-ejr
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Quote of the Week.
from the Rev. W. Fry of the London Eclectic Society, April 17, 1809 on Grace vs Self-Righteousness
It is a dangerous thing when religion begins in the head rather than in the heart. It is better to find our need of
doctrines to meet the wants of the soul, rather than first to take up notions to which we have not corresponding
feelings. Such [individuals] often take up two or three leading notions, and square everything to them. The
doctrines not growing out of experience are crudely applied.
1. HUMILITY is a principal distinction between a consciousness of grace, and a spirit of self-righteousness.
2. TENDERNESS AND MEEKNESS of spirit is another distinction, as opposed to a harsh spirit and a heady
mind.
3. SPIRITUALITY is a characteristic of grace;
vehemence and activity, that of self-righteousness.
4, Ascribing everything to GRACE is another.
from The Thought of the Evangelical Leaders-Notes of the Discussions of the Eclectic Society - London, 1798 -
1814, edited by John Pratt, Banner of Truth reprint, 1978.
The Timbrel & Dance Weekly is published by
Pastor Ed Ross, Springwood Chapel,
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Phone: 717-741-3616
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