1.- The church meets regularly
Sunday morning is not the only possibility, although the first followers of Jesus celebrated his resurrection by naming the first day of the week "The Lord's Day." Acts 2: 42-47 suggests that they met much more than we in our comfort. In a variety of settings, for a multitude of reasons, the followers of Jesus meet regularly and share their lives together. This is certain: a regular and regular meeting is a mark of the church of Christ.
2.- The church provides authority
Authority! He only mentions the word and people get tense. Abuses abound, guilt is commonplace and many churches in the world die little of the street business. However, we must all personally accept passages such as "Obey your pastors and submit to them." (Hebrews 13:17.)
Paul's letters to Timothy and Titus could be considered all about authority. Almost everyone has a horror story about the abuse of authority in the church. Here is my part:
Authority without compassion and without relation makes a farce of the Kingdom of God, but compassion and the relationship without authority completely move away the Kingdom of God. That preaches!
3.- The church is a testing ground for love and forgiveness
"Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, of tender mercy, of kindness, of humility, of meekness, of patience; supporting one another, and forgiving one another if one has a complaint against another. In the way that Christ forgave you, so also do you. And over all these things, put on love, which is the perfect bond. " (Colossians 3: 12-14.)
These words are impossible to live in isolation. I believe that the Father designed families and churches as places for love and forgiveness. How can we live these words apart from our families, or from the church, which is the family of God?
4.- The church equips the people of God
Christian maturity requires an enriching family environment. The gifts of the Holy Spirit and the development of Christian character thrive in a healthy community. Entertainment apart from equipping is antithetical to God's plan for the church - there are many churches that are nothing more than television shows (shows). But the companionship and the community without equipping themselves are also below the brand. If there is no equipping up, it is not a complete church. Jesus is in the laboratory, not in a sermon. And it's not a break either.
5.-The church provides a unique corporate witness
There have been exceptional individuals throughout history. Saints and geniuses seem larger than life and because they are so exceptional, they are easily discarded as individuals, even as monsters. But who could take away an entire community of faith?
"A new commandment I give you: That you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another, "Jesus said in John 13:34.
"By this all will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." The primitive church would cure you or take care of you until you die. Widows, orphans and sick people of the first century knew that there was a shelter called "the church".
Maybe you are like me: you can imagine that some people will listen to you preach about the importance of the church and think, "Of course he says so." It's what he does for a living. " Do not let imagined criticism prevent you from boldly pointing out what our people need. Jesus paid the price for each individual, but the church is his gift to the world.