Free Paper Example on Ecclesiology

Introduction

Ecclesiology refers to the study of the Christian churches and the beginning of Christianity. Moreover, ecclesiology describes the relationship of the church with Christianity and the role of salvation. These studies involve the study of the leadership of the church and the destiny of the Christians. Ecclesiological studies are historical. In the early days, the church's concern involved the gentile members involved in the church matters. Besides that, most questions involved the leadership of the church. The main problem was whether the church's leadership was to be conducted by a single bishop, the presbyters, or Bishop from Rome. In the church's role, the concern was whether salvation could be possible outside the church settings. Ecclesiology relates to the church and the state and other liturgy issues. This paper discusses the church beginning, the universal church, and the Lord's Supper's function in a local church. Moreover, the document explains who the Holy Communion should be open to, the church offices, and a healthy church's benchmarks. The paper outlines the functions of a local church and the importance of community in the church.

Is your time best spent reading someone else’s essay? Get a 100% original essay FROM A CERTIFIED WRITER!

Order now

The Beginning of the Church

The church began in the first century in the Roman Judea. The church foundation is in the teachings of Jesus Christ of Nazareth. Jesus gathered the disciples who were later called Christians. Instructions of the scriptures outline that Jesus commanded the disciples to spread the teachings of Christianity to the world. The Pentecost is used to signify when the church was born.

Moreover, the leadership of the church started with the apostles. Historically, the Christians accepted the gentile into the church without the full requirements of the Jewish norms. Quarrels within the leadership of the Jewish religious leaders led to the rapid expulsion of Christianity. Gradually, the church spread through the Roman Empire. However, Christianity became a persecuted religion. Christian continued to denounce the teachings that they saw as heresies. Thus, the beginning of the church is historical and has been evolving ever since. In the modern world, the church's origin can be related to history because some church practices such as Pentecost celebration are from time times in memorial.

Local Church

A local church s interpreted as a regular gathering of Christians. Usually, the Christians meet in Jesus' name. Members of a local church meet to affirm their faith in Christ through the teachings of the Scriptures and preaching. For a local church to exist, there must be a gathering of Christians who regularly affirms their faith. Local comprises a congregation, and the reason for meeting often should be representing Christ and his authority in the world. Besides that, there must be regular preaching and giving of ordinances. The local church is relatable to the bible (208).

Usually, the purpose of meeting regularly in a local church is declaring high allegiance to the Christian faith. The purpose of a local church is to affirm the Christian faith's commitment in front of the public. Through the local church, the laws concerning the Christian faith summoned to the Christian followers. The local church enables baptism and giving of the holy sacrament. As an institution, a local church was created by Jesus Christ to pronounce the gospel and for Christians to affirm their faith.

Moreover, through the local church, it is possible to expose Christians who are imposters of the Christian faith. A local church enables Christians to be submissive to the rules and regulations founded in the Christian faith. It is through a local church that Christians are isolated from other non-believers. People are dynamic, and they require frequent visiting of the church. Hence, a local church enables Christians to perform their private prayers. A local church's presence enhances religious functions such as cultural norms like rites of passage. Most Christians view a local church as the actual presence of Christ in their lives; thus, they can commit their selves to the faith. Local churches provide support to the society, and the Christians can report their needs.

Universal Church

The universal church refers to many believers who believe in Jesus Christ and who read the Scriptures. Also, a universal church consists of true believers whose faith is firm in Christ. A universal church does not consider the region, color, race, or the denomination of a person. Members of the universal church have faith and go through the baptism of the Holy Spirit. A universal church consists of everyone who believes in Christ.

The universal church does not comprise of a building nor an institution where believers meet. The universal church stands differently from local church members who do not have to meet regularly for prayers. All local churches form a universal church. All beliefs and denominations are essential components of a universal church. Hence, there are many ethnicities, cultures, religions, traditions, and races, and no person has the church's leadership. The universal church works to grow and transform the whole world. Primarily, the leader of a universal church is usually Christ. The primary function of the universal church is to make the kingdom of God known in the world. The central role of the universal church is to spread the kingdom of God.

Lords Supper

In a local church, baptism signifies adoption and acceptance into the Christian life. Moreover, it is a Christian rite that mainly shows admission into the service of Christ. The use of water performs the baptism. Baptism involves the sprinkling of water to a person or immersion of the body into the water. Immersion includes the whole body or partial. In some churches, baptism is taken as a sacrament, while in others is an ordinance. Baptism in the local church brings unison among the believers. Hence, new Christians join churches and later goes through the baptism rite.

The Holy Communion is another component of the local church. The Holy Communion helps Christians remember the death of Christ. Also, the communion of the believers' promotion is through the Holy Communion. Components of the Lord's Supper signifies the last meal between Jesus and his disciples. Christ's body is represented by the bread, while wine represents the blood. To Christians, involvement in the Holy Communion nourishes the faith of believers. Jesus initiated the Lord's Supper in his death. All local churches perform this rite.

Partakers

Usually, Lord's Supper should involve members of a local church who have separated themselves from the state of sinning knowingly. Some churches allow members to baptism, while others do not. Some churches do not require partakers of the Holy Communion to be their members. Usually, in most churches, members come forward and receive the Lord's super. A person who is like grace should partake the Lord's Supper. Besides that, people involved in sin knowingly should not participate in the Lord's super having not confessed their sins. The Lord’s Supper signifies acts of sharing and having spiritual union among the Christians.

Offices in the Church

Primarily, there are five offices in the church. The apostle's office has the responsibility of commissioning the work of Christ. The office helps in the establishment. Apostles influence people through the gospel of Christ. The prophet's office has a mandate of teaching and speaking the word of God. The prophet is the messenger of God. Also, they interpret the Scriptures to Christians. Prophets can see visions that they later prophesy. The pastor's office is responsible for taking care of the believers when they go astray or experience difficulties. Pastor's responsibilities are in taking care of the flock of God. Through these offices, the church develops new leaders.

Furthermore, the church contains the office of the evangelist. Evangelists endure the word of God, and they don't have a permanent office. They move from one locality to the other, preaching the gospel. Lastly, the teacher's office has the mandate of interpreting and explaining God's word. Some teachers move from church to church. The goal of all church offices is to promote God's word.

Other Thoughts

The modern church has seen various emerging trends in both gospel teaching and leadership. The new technologies and increased use of the internet have made teachings of the Scriptures easy. Most people can listen to sermons in their respective places. Moreover, most people are not concentrating on denominations. Emerging trends continue to increase in the areas of worship. In the modern world, gospel spreading is simple, unlike the old days where a person had to carry a bible physically. With modern technology, the current generation prefers the soft version of the Scriptures. Conclusively, theological liberalism continues to increase.

Conclusion

This paper has discussed matters of the church. Also, it shows the difference between the local church and a universal church. The church traditions are historical. Key elements of the church, such as Christ's Supper and baptism, keep believers together. Besides that, the paper outlines the church as a great institution in society. The church has evolved, and preaching of the gospel has continued to change. Currently, technology has a significant impact on primary church functions.

Bibliography

Logan, F. Donald. A History of the Church in the Middle Ages. Routledge, 2013.
https://books.google.co.ke/books?hl=en&lr=&id=Idp878vp4e0C&oi=fnd&pg=PP2&dq=1.%09Logan,+F.+Donald.+A+History+of+the+Church+in+the+Middle+Ages.+Routledge,+2013.+&ots=YdQI-jt62m&sig=aJzFi44EV_rBps6fQN1fEwjBv-o&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q=1.%09Logan%2C%20F.%20Donald.%20A%20History%20of%20the%20Church%20in%20the%20Middle%20Ages.%20Routledge%2C%202013.&f=false

Ntamu, G. U., and Ekpenyong Obo Ekpenyong. "The Lord’s Supper: A Comparative Study".