Articles
The Nature of the Church
When we talk about the nature of something, we are referring to what the purpose or goal of it is or even possibly what is it supposed to do? A hospital’s nature is to help those physically sick. A car repair shop’s nature is to fix broken cars. The church of the Lord, Brookhill Church, is one of the local churches and its nature is spiritual. Its work is to help people’s souls to be saved. The church’s goal is spiritual.
There are numerous good works that individuals are to be involved in. In Gar. 6:10, it tells us “Do good unto all men especially the household of God.” An individual is commanded to do all it can, good and morally, for other people. That’s the nature of man and woman.
For the faithful local church to accomplish its nature which is again spiritual, it must only do the things God has instructed it to do. The nature of the church being spiritual makes it different than other physical groups or organizations here on Earth. John 18:36 tells us “The Lord’s kingdom, the church, is not of this world.” The church is not a physical kingdom but a physical kingdom therefore its works and goals are spiritual. Romans 14:17 tells us “The Lord’s church is not meat and drink.” Again, this teaches the church is spiritual in nature.
One enters this spiritual kingdom in a spiritual way. They must be born of water and spirit (John 3:5). Once in the kingdom (church), their fight is spiritual against forces of evil (Eph. 6:11-12). The church has a spiritual name, one being the Church of Christ (Rom 16:16). The members of the church have a spiritual name, Christians (Acts 11:26). The message of the church is spiritual. The gospel message comes from Christ himself for the saving of souls. In Matthew 28:18-20 Jesus tells us “Go ye therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the father, son, and holy spirit, teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you, and I am with you always unto the end of the world.”
One can easily see the nature of the kingdom (church) is spiritual. Therefore, its works are to be spiritual and its goals are to be spiritual in helping people to be saved and to stay saved.
