The word "church" evokes a wide range of responses. For some, it brings back sentimental memories of adventurous bible stories, singing hymns, and Vacation Bible School. For others, "church" reminds them of painful times. There may be a spectrum of experiences (positive and negative) that many have had. Whatever the case, we want to define what we mean when we say "church." The Greek word for church is ecclesia, which means "a community or assembly that gathers together." We are a community that has experienced new birth by the Holy Spirit, having been saved by the righteousness and atoning sacrifice of Christ and gathers together to worship God through the priesthood of Christ. As Christians, we are new creatures with a new life; consequently, we have a new family, a new name, new identity, and a new purpose. We are now being conformed to the image of Christ to do the mission of Christ. Here is an explanation of our understanding of church, and how we work together.
John Stott, theologian and preacher, said this concerning the church, “he added to their number…those who are being saved.’ He didn’t add them to the church without saving them, and he didn’t save them without adding them to the church. Salvation and church membership went together; they still do.” First, the church is a body of believers whose lives have been bought by the blood of Jesus Christ. It is not a man-made institution, rather it’s one that is made by God.
It’s right to assume that the church is not perfect. In fact, every Sunday, you will find sinners inside the church. Sin has affected everyone and that includes church members. But, there is one thing that makes the church different - the gospel of Jesus Christ. The apostle Paul reminds us of this in his letters. Because of Jesus, there is hope. Jesus is the hope of the church, and his righteousness is what makes her acceptable to Him. Paul gives us a picture of this hope in the book of Ephesians. Ephesians 5 tells us that Christ died for the Church. The metaphor that Paul uses is a marriage relationship. The Church is the bride, and Jesus is the groom. Both parties are committed to each other in a covenant relationship. The second way we are defining the church is that it’s a body of believers who are committed to Jesus Christ, His gospel, and to one another.
Similarly, Wayne Mack and David Swavely state, “…the church is the primary means through which God accomplishes His plan in the world. It is His ordained instrument for calling the lost to Himself and the context in which He sanctifies those who are born into His family. Therefore, God expects (and even demands) a commitment to the church from everyone who claims to know Him.” The church has a purpose, and its purpose is to faithfully represent the Kingdom of God and share his gospel to a lost world. The church is the instrument ordained by God in carrying out these tasks. Paul, in (1 Timothy 3:14-15) states that the church is the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and support of the truth.”
We invite you to explore what we believe and how we seek to accomplish the mission that Christ has for us in Valdosta. We are a body of believers who love Jesus and love his Gospel. Would you like to learn more about our family?