The word fracture means to break and as we look around the world today we see that those who call themselves God’s people are fractured and splintered into many pieces called denominations. One group believes one thing and another believes something else, all of which is supposedly Bible based. Yet the various groups leave things out saying the things omitted aren’t essential, while others try to include things that aren’t in the scriptures or erroneously teach about certain subjects. When the days of Jesus and the apostles are studied, we see that the foregoing was as much in evidence then as it is now.

To fully understand the meaning of church, it is also important to understand that there are only two ways of life, with God and without God. There isn’t any in between or neutral way to live. Paul wrote in Romans 3:23, For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.  One is either living as sinner or redeemed in Christ. [Rom 3:24] Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Jesus said in Luke 11:23, He that is not with me is against me: and he that gathereth not with me scattereth.  Obviously, those who aren’t followers of Jesus are walking without God in their lives.

If the word translated church is studied, the idea of ecclesiastical hierarchy can be dispelled. (That idea has lead to the fracture in what is called Christendom.) The Greek word ecclesia means assembly with no distinctive meaning that would denote or imply a religious group. The word in normal Bible time usage referred to any group of people assembled for any number of purposes.  Only when followed by a qualifier does the word have any distinctive meaning.  When followed by the words God or Christ and the preposition of, (which is the genitive or possessive case) the meaning is that the assembly belongs to God and Christ. Substitute the word assembly for the word church and it is easy to understand the need to qualify the word to grasp the meaning.

Unfortunately, the words of the scriptures have been twisted to the extent that many have no idea of the true nature of the assembly (church). The terms church and assembly are used to denominate or name various groups who claim to follow the scriptures and that helps contribute to the fractured state of what is known as God’s people. Each of the denominated groups varies in their teachings with all kinds of beliefs about what the Bible contains. Jesus said in Matthew 7:21-23, Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. [Mat 7:22] Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? [Mat 7:23] And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.  Words of warning to be heeded by  those who twist the scriptures to suit some belief.

Seemingly lost in the whole vast sea of the various beliefs is the fact of sin. That is why Jesus came into the world. He said in John 12:47, And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world.  Paul  said in 1 Timothy 1:15, This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.  Sin is why Jesus came into the world and by making the sacrifice God required, God and Christ showed their love for mankind. 

Anyone who obeys the gospel in accordance with scriptural teaching becomes a member of Christ’s assembly, those who belong to God. They are the ones following God and not the Satan or the devil. They are the redeemed, the saved, the children of God, and members of the Lord's body, the church.  

© 12-10-2005 DEC