Affirmation and Inoculation: The Church

1/25/2026

Reflection

Why are you here [at Calvary Community Church, this morning]?

Caesarea Philippi (Matthew 16:18)

[review] What is a Statement of Faith?

A creed (from Latin "credo": "I believe")

Belief vs. Faith

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

- Hebrews 11:1 (ESV)

Key words across translations:

  • ASSURANCE, CONVICTION
  • CERTAINTY, PROOF
  • SUBSTANCE, EVIDENCE

[review] Our Goal

To know what we believe and why we believe it

but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect

- 1 Peter 3:15 (ESV)

[additionally]: To respond by living out what we believe

EFCA Statement of Faith, Article 7: The Church

"We believe that the true church comprises all who have been justified by God’s grace through faith alone in Christ alone. They are united by the Holy Spirit in the body of Christ, of which He is the Head. The true church is manifest in local churches, whose membership should be composed only of believers. The Lord Jesus mandated two ordinances, baptism and the Lord’s Supper, which visibly and tangibly express the gospel. Though they are not the means of salvation, when celebrated by the church in genuine faith, these ordinances confirm and nourish the believer."

Fill in the blanks

Only _________ are members of the church.

These are people who have been justified by God's _____ through _____ alone in Christ alone.

How many ordinances are mandated by the Lord Jesus? ___

These ordinances are _______ and the ____'_ ______.

These ordinances visibly and tangibly express the ______.

These ordinances are not the means of salvation, but they _______ and _______ the believer.

What is the Church?

What does the Bible say that the church is? Try to answer this question by thinking about:

  • Paul's analogies
  • Her relationship to the Triune God
    • The Father
    • The Son
    • The Holy Spirit
  • Her function in the world
  • Her place in eternity future

Ekklesia

Definition: called out assembly

This noun was originally employed in secular Greek society to denote an assembly or congregation of free citizens summoned or “called out” by a herald in connection with public affairs (c.f. Acts 19:39).

Zondervan Bible Dictionary, page 284

The Church, God's Building

We won't have time to cover every detail about the church, so let's focus on the aspect of the church as God's building.

Then we'll see what that means for us.

The Foundation

Read:

  • Matthew 16:18
  • 1 Corinthians 3:10-11
  • Ephesians 2:19-22
  • cf. 1 Peter 2:6-8

Discussion

What builds up the church?

Note: To build up can mean to edify, strengthen, or encourage.

Passages to consider:

  • Ephesians 4
  • Colossians 3
  • 1 Corinthians 13

Reflect and Discuss

What can you do to build up the church?

What are you doing to build up the church?

God's Testing and Approval

Read:

  • 2 Timothy 2:15
  • 1 Corinthians 3:10-15

Key Takeaways

The church is God's building. Its foundation is Christ.

The church is not just a collection of individuals. Each believer is a living stone, being built together with the other believers.

We are all part of this building work. God will test our work and reward us accordingly.