The Scrolls is a weekly Bible study written by pastors and other leaders at Central Bible Church, based on that week’s sermon topic. Use The Scrolls as a personal Bible study tool, for family devotions, and for small group discussions. You can read part of it below. The downloadable PDF also includes discussion questions, more in-depth commentary, end notes, and a kids’ page designed for families to study the topic together. This lesson goes with the sermon "Life on the Rock."
When people hear the word “church,” the first thing they picture in their mind’s eye is most likely a particular building or cluster of buildings at a particular location, namely, the place where Christians gather for worship, preaching, and Christian fellowship—for example, the church on Anderson Blvd., west of Eastchase Pkwy, in East Fort Worth. With a little more thought, they no doubt recognize that the building isn’t really the church; the building is the place the church meets. The church is actually the Christians, the body of believers, who assemble there—the church local. The New Testament provides countless examples of this use of the term, for example: “to Apphia our sister and Archippus our fellow soldier—and to the church that meets in your home” (Phm 1:2); “the church in Jerusalem” (Ac 11:22); “the church at Antioch” (13:1); “to the angel of the church in Ephesus” (Rev 2:1; 2:8, 12, 18; 3:1, 7, 14); cf. “every church” (1Co 4:17).
The plural use of the term refers to multiple Christian congregations of the same sort whether in the same location or not. And again, the New Testament provides plenty of examples of this use of the term, for example: “the churches of Judea” (Gal 1:22); “to the churches in Galatia” (Gal 1:2); Paul “went through Syria and Cilicia strengthening the churches” (Ac 15:41); and “to the seven churches in the province of Asia” (Rev 1:4).
Infrequently, “church” (singular) is used to refer to more than one local congregation, for example: “the church throughout Judea, Galilee, and Samaria” (Ac 9:31); the church of God in Corinth,” which likely included several house churches (1Co 1:2); “I persecuted the church of God” (1Co 15:9)—Paul likely persecuted more than one congregation; and perhaps, “the church of the Thessalonians” (1Th 1:1; 2Th 1:1).
Finally, the term is also used to refer to all those in the body of Christ, namely, the church universal. Paul writes: “And he is the head of the body, the church” (Col 1:18; cf. 1Co 12:12-27); “Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy (Eph 5:25-26); and “And God has placed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, of helping, of guidance, and of different kinds of tongues” (1Co 12:28). The fact that apostles were not given to any individual church implies that Paul is referring to the church universal here.
A variety of images are used by New Testament writers to refer to the church (see Paul Enns, The Moody Handbook of Theology, 349-51; Wayne Grudem, Systematic Theology, 858-59). Peter uses the figures of a building and a priesthood in his first epistle. One author explains: “In 1 Peter 2:5 the apostle combines the figures of a building and a priesthood, stating, ‘You also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood.’ The statement is reminiscent of Exodus 19:5-6 where God declared that Israel was ‘a kingdom of priests.’ In the nation Israel, however, only those of the tribe of Levi could serve as priests, whereas in the church, every believer is a priest. Peter indicates all believers are priests for the purpose of offering spiritual sacrifices instead of animal sacrifices.
“The uniqueness of the New Testament priesthood is further seen in 1 Peter 2:9 where Peter refers to a ‘royal priesthood.’ Church age believers are both kings and priests (cf. Re. 1:6). In the Old Testament it was impossible to combine both offices for one could only be either of the Levitical line or the kingly line, the line of Judah. The entire church functions as a priesthood, whereas in Israel only the Levitical line had that privilege. All church age believers have access to God through Christ, the church’s High Priest; in Israel individual believers could approach God only through the Levitical priests. All church age believers may approach God boldly at any time (Heb 4:14-16), whereas Israelites could approach God only during the particular offerings (Lev. 1-7). These contrasts indicate that while both Israel the church are called a priesthood, Israel and the church are distinct entities” (Enns, 350-51).
Central Message of the Text:
As believers grow in the Lord, they are being built into a temple of priests to offer spiritual sacrifices and to make known God’s excellencies as his chosen people, royal priesthood, holy nation, and special possession.
Family Talk:
My 10-year-old son was in the car with a bunch of friends riding to a birthday party when one kid kept telling him to watch Five Nights at Freddy’s on his phone. My son repeatedly refused while this boy got more and more aggressive, eventually shoving the phone in his face despite being told no. Peer pressure is a very real thing, even for our young kids. We often think of peer pressure in terms of the big stuff that happens in high school or college, but it starts much earlier than that. Just hang out with a 2-year-old who wants you to play with a particular toy and you’ll experience the tyrannic pressure of, “Do it! Do it now! Do it my way!” One way to combat peer pressure is to surround yourself with like-minded friends that are believers in Christ. These friends will lock arms with you, helping you plant your feet on the firm foundation of truth. They will stand alongside you, forming a strong wall that will help defend against the constant barrage of poison arrows. These friends are priceless treasures! It’s our job as parents to gently guide the bonds of friendship with our elementary kids. We can help by actively participating in a home group with kids around the same age, committing to Wednesday evening church activities that help build your child’s community, or intentionally creating space to invite and encourage these kids to spend time in your home. One of the true benefits of being a Christian is the like-minded community we’re privileged to surround ourselves with. How can you foster this community for your child?