THE LORD JESUS CHRIST AND HIS CHURCH (I)

Meaning of “Church”

The English word “church,” like the German kirche and the Scotch kirk, is derived from the Greek adjective, kyriakon, which means “the Lord’s.” It may refer to the Lord’s people in general, to any particular group of the Lord’s people, or to the building in which the Lord’s people worship (1 Cor 11:20, Rev 1:10).

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The word translated “church” in the New Testament is ekklesia. This noun is related to the verb ekkaleo which means “to call out.” Although the term is used for a secular assembly (Acts 19:32, 41), in a specialised ecclesiastical sense, it refers to an assembly or a body of called-out people, separated unto God.

According to the Westminster Confession of Faith, “The catholic or universal church which is invisible, consists of the whole number of the elect that have been, are, or shall be gathered into one, under Christ the Head thereof; and is the spouse, the body, the fullness of Him that filleth all in all” (XXV:1).

The church universal is described by Peter as “a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy” (1 Pet 2:9–10).

In writing to the Corinthian Christians, Paul classes them together with the entire invisible church (1 Cor 1:2). It is this invisible church as an entirety to which Paul refers when he writes, “[I] now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body’s sake, which is the church” (Col 1:24).

Bride of Christ

There is a mystical union between believers and Christ. This union is entered into when a person is born again. This mystical union is more than mere natural fellowship. It is a union of a supernatural order in the Holy Spirit. That is why in the Scriptures the true church is known as the bride of Christ.

In a similar figure, Paul writes to the Church of Corinth, “For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ” (2 Cor 11:2–3).

The marriage relationship between Christ and His Church is described extensively in Ephesians 5:21–32. Ephesians 5:21 emphasizes the need for Christians to submit ourselves one to another in the fear of God. He then introduces the discussion of the marriage relationship with the exhortation in verses 22 and 23 (cf 1 Pet 3:1–2). Paul continues his analogy, “Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it” (Eph 5:24–25). Certainly the analogy of the Church in relation to Christ is the analogy of the response of love. Such a loving marriage relationship is described by Paul in Colossians 3:18 and 19.

As it is natural that the husband should be the initiator in wedded love, so in the love between Christ and the Church, “We love him because he first loved us” (1 Jn 4:19). Just as one naturally is grieved when love is not met with responsiveness, but rather with coldness, so Christ is grieved by spiritual indifference. The Church by the promptings of the Holy Spirit must respond in love to the love of Christ. The whole context shows that the kind of submission and subjection which is here referred to is that of mutual love. Christ displays loving headship, and the Church responds with loving submission.

The purpose of the subjection of love in the Church to the love of Christ is further stated, “That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish” (Eph 5:26–27).

The love of Christ in the mystical union between Christ and the Church finds a vivid expression in the following words, “So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church: For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church. Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband” (Eph 5:28–33).

Marriage Supper of the Lamb

Nowhere in Scripture is the love of Christ for His Church put in stronger or more moving terms than in Ephesians 5:25–33. “Love” here is not philia, the love of friendship, nor is it eros, the classical Greek word for love between husband and wife. It is agape, the deep, strong, broad, ethical, spiritual word for the love of God (Rom 5:5). This love is to be found not only in the individual, but also in the true Church, which, as a body, is bound up in mystical union with Christ.

The consummation of this marriage relationship between Christ and His Church is predicted in Revelation 19:7–9, “Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb.” This marriage supper of the Lamb will be held after the rapture of the church, and just before the final battle of Armageddon.

After the millennial reign of Christ on earth, after the final rebellion of Gog and Magog, after the final judgment of the Great White Throne, after the present universe is destroyed by fire, and after the creation of a new heaven and a new earth, will come the New Jerusalem from heaven upon the new earth, “having the glory of God.” “And there came unto me one of the seven angels… and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb’s wife” (Rev 21:9). John had the first glimpse of the holy and heavenly city, the New Jerusalem, “prepared as a bride adorned for her husband” (Rev 21:2, 10, 11).

NOT MY WILL, BUT THINE BE DONE

Testimony of Japan Trip, 8–20 March 2024, by Theya Lagapa

The verse that God used to call me into the ministry is from Matthew 6:10, which says, “Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.” However, in my recent trip to Hokkaido with my sister, my calling verse was reiterated to me in the form of Luke 22:42b, “nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.”

I have to be honest that I felt impatient towards God. Right after graduating from FEBC, I worked on getting my visa to Japan as we planned to hold an activity for the children on a certain holiday in November. But it just didn’t work out. I was trying my best to get all the documents and they were not easy, nor free. It was not God’s will yet, and I was very disappointed. I remember that when I turned 25 last year, I had a wishful thinking that I could have spent that day in the land that I was born. Yet, this dream was so far from reality as I knew for the fact that there was no visa. At this time, I was doubtful, dejected at how things were turning out. Was I really called to serve Him there? Or was it all my own desire?

Looking back, I regret all the doubt that I had towards God. Yes, I couldn’t spend my 25th birthday there but little did I know that exactly 6 months later (March 9), I would be on a plane that would land in Sapporo. God had His timing. The Lord made the path smooth in my second attempt of applying for a visa. It was also approved faster than I imagined, after 2 weeks! I couldn’t help but jump and squeal with joy when I received the news. I couldn’t believe that I would be able to return after 5 years.

The visa allowed us to stay in Japan for 15 days. But I only wanted to use up 5 days fully dedicated to visit my dear Grandpa Bob. Yamazaki san at the same time kept inviting us to also visit the church in Abashiri. At first, I was quite against it because I felt that it would take up time to travel up when my main priority was Grandpa Bob. Yet, it was agreed in the end that we would use up 12 days, 7 days in Abashiri and 5 days in Sapporo. Again, I regret having those thoughts as our week in Abashiri turned to be so wonderful as we fellowshipped with the believers there.

The original plan was that my sister and I would travel over with my father as it would be FEBC’s midterm break. Again, this was not God’s will. My father’s visa application to Japan was delayed because the Embassy’s system was down, though usually it would just take a maximum of 5 days. I was stressed when I received this news. This meant that my sister and I would have to navigate everything on our own. I was also scared because it also meant that I would have to be the spokesman. Usually, my role was to enjoy myself and let father speak to those who approach and enquire on us. With no father around, I knew that somehow, I would have to answer anyone who would come and speak to me in Japanese. For me, I travelled to Japan with fear and trembling though I knew that many were praying for us. God’s better plan was that I would be exposed and forced to speak in Japanese and I can say that 12 days of nothing but Japanese, improved my ability to speak the language. Even I myself am surprised at how much I could converse and how they could understand me. I acknowledge that it was all God’s wisdom and help.

I really thank God for His leading in my life. I believe that He opened this door for me to deepen my desire to serve there. As we fellowshipped with Grandpa Bob, met another missionary, shared my burden and desire to the believers there, the message was loud and clear, not my will but God’s will should be followed. I was thankful also for their reception when I shared my desire to serve in their land. There was a point that I thought, maybe they will not receive me there as I am only a lowly, young Filipino, from a 3rd world country. Most of the missionaries there are aged Americans and New Zealanders to whom they look up to and respect. However, those whom I shared my desire with welcomed me with such joy. They would say, “please come and help us.” “If it is God’s will, come and share the Gospel with us.” My heart was comforted and I couldn’t believe my ears.

Please pray for the believers in Japan. They are really in the minority and it can be discouraging. Please pray for their faith and that they would continue to share the Gospel whether by word or testimony. Please pray that God will save more precious souls among the Japanese. Please pray for me that I will be sensitive to God’s will. I am not sure yet how I will be able to stay in Japan and minister there. But I believe He has the best plan and I don’t want to come up with my own plan. Truly, not my will but God’s will be done!