redemption. It declares that sin has contaminated us all (Rom. 3:23). Sin has tainted
our thinking, our manner of living, and our rapport with God (Isa. 59:1-2). On the
other hand, the Bible offers a way by which we can escape the things that corrupt
and defile, bringing us to a closer union with God. This union cannot be found in the
world, but only in the body of Christ, which is the church (Col. 1:18).
It might surprise some to learn that the church has always been in the grand plan
of God. Under the Old Testament, Israel was given the distinct privilege of being the
house of God through whom His glory would shine. Generally speaking, the
Gentiles, being outside of this divine covenant, were, in turn, outside the bonds of
fellowship with God. In Ephesians two Paul writes: "That at that time ye were
without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from
the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: But now in
Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ"
(Eph. 2:12-13). Christ has broken down the wall that divided Jews and Gentiles, and
has reconciled "both unto God in one body by the cross" (Eph. 2:14-16). As
aforementioned, this body is the church. Hence, under the New Testament, the
church is given the distinct privilege of being the house of God through which the
glory of the Lord should shine (I Tim. 3:15).
In the next chapter (Eph. 3), Paul argues that the world before had not been aware
of God's eternal scheme of things. He writes that God had always intended "that the
Gentiles should be fellow-heirs, and of the same body and partakers of his promise
in Christ by the gospel" (Eph. 3:6). All of this, he writes, is "according to the eternal
purpose which purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Eph. 3:11).
It is interesting to note that some believe the church is merely an afterthought of
God. Yet, Paul avers that He had the church in mind from eternity. God knew that
man would sin. He thus knew that man needed salvation, a means by which we can
stand justified before Him, even though we have all sinned. Consequently, "when the
fullness of the time was come, God sent forth His Son, made of a woman, made
under the law, to redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the
adoption of sons" (Gal. 4:4-5). This "Son" was Jesus Christ. Jesus would build His
church (Matt. 16:18), and only those who become members thereof will have the
blessings of salvation. Eph. 5:23 "For the husband is the head of the wife, even as
Christ is the head of the church: and he is the savior of the body". The church, then,
is inextricably connected to the eternal plan of God. It is not an afterthought of God.
Moreover, Peter argues that it was the determinate council and foreknowledge of
God that ultimately led to the establishment of the church - not an afterthought. In
speaking about Jesus, he said, "Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and
foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain"
(Acts 2:23). It was not a surprise to God that Jesus was crucified. It was in His plan,
which He executed. Paul, in Acts 20:28, mentions that one of the reasons for which
Jesus died was to purchase the church. Jesus shed His blood so people could stand
justified and live "in hope of eternal life" (Tit. 1:2). Hence, blood is tied to salvation,
and blood is tied to the church. Without the church, we would not have Christ, for
He is the head of the church. But without Christ, we would not have access to His
redeeming blood. We would be, as many are, "without hope, and without God in the
world". Therefore, the church plays an integral role in bringing us to a closer union
with God.
NEXT ARTICLE: "THE CHURCH IN PROMISE"
