Most important foundation for a Church

[ForTheRepublic]

What do you think is the most important foundational aspect of a church?


1. That believers coming together in fellowship.
2. That the pastor is a Godly man.
3. That all work together as the body for the glory of Christ.
4. That Jesus Christ is sovereign Lord of the church.
5. Other... Please explain


From what you choose, can you name anything that most churches falling short with in that area?


Thanks for your replies.

[Splayd]

An interesting questionn but not sure it's one I can answer.

If they don't come together (1) then they're not "technically" an assembly/congregation/church in any practical sense anyway.

If they aren't working together for God's glory (3) they might technically be a "church" but they're certainly not an effective body.

If they don't have Jesus as sovereign Lord (4) then while they may well be a "church", they're certainly not a Christian church.

I dunno - it's not like you can really seperate those things in my opinion.

Peace

[crawfish]

The Gospel is the foundation of the church...Jesus was born, lived a sinless life, died for our sins and was raised on the third day. His sacrifice allows us a salvation that is impossible for us to achieve on our own.

That is the basis of Christianity.

You better not pick 2. Any church set up around a man will eventually fail. 1 and 3 are what should be done BECAUSE of what I mentioned above, but they are not the basis.

[JDIBe]

No. 4.

If no. 4 is TRULY present , and not just in name only, then 1-3 should fall into line.

[ForTheRepublic]

No. 4.

If no. 4 is TRULY present , and not just in name only, then 1-3 should fall into line.

That would be my opinion too. This leads me to my question. Are most churches in America Completely sovereign under the lordship of Christ? Or can you think of anything that compromises this important foundation?

[annie1speed]

Hmmmm. I seem to be an oddball on this one.

1. That believers coming together in fellowship.
2. That the pastor is a Godly man.
3. That all work together as the body for the glory of Christ.
4. That Jesus Christ is sovereign Lord of the church.
5. Other... Please explain

I believe that if number 3 holds true then 1,2 and 4 will follow. If all work together as the body for the glory of Christ, then Christ will be recognized as their sovereign Lord, and the believers will come together in fellowship, and they will tolerate nothing less than a godly man for their preacher.

Annie

[Apollos1]

1 Corinthians 3:11 - For other foundation can no man lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

[sidekick]

Apollos1 is right on the money. Christ is also the head, Eph. 5:23,24.

[ForTheRepublic]

Nice call, sidekick and Apollos1.

1 Corinthians 3:11 and Eph. 5:23,24.

But most organized churches in America have been compromised!!! Jesus Christ is no longer the foundation as lord and head of these churches today. But I be not 1 in 100 could point out what has compromised them. You might be able to find the answer in the By-Laws for you church. Any Guesses.

[RefrusRevlis]

The gospel, the sacrifice/love of Christ, the need to obey the call of salvation, the love of the brethren for one another etc. I can't pick just one, also are you talking church universal, church in the conregational sense of the word? Jesus has a part in all of these, he is the foundation.
Refrus

[ForTheRepublic]

The gospel, the sacrifice/love of Christ, the need to obey the call of salvation, the love of the brethren for one another etc. I can't pick just one, also are you talking church universal, church in the conregational sense of the word? Jesus has a part in all of these, he is the foundation.
Refrus

I'm really talking about most church establishments in America in the last 50 or 60 years being compromised. They have put them selfs under a different authority with a different foundation. I know that His Kingdom is not of this world but please understand that the church still can fall into the trap of putting itself under a different authority as apposed to being sovereignly under the lordship of Christ!

That should give you a clue.

[cremi]

1 Corinthians 3:11 - For otherfoundation can no man lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

Excellent!:thumbsup:

[Loveaboveall]

Hmmmm. I seem to be an oddball on this one.

1. That believers coming together in fellowship.
2. That the pastor is a Godly man.
3. That all work together as the body for the glory of Christ.
4. That Jesus Christ is sovereign Lord of the church.
5. Other... Please explain

I believe that if number 3 holds true then 1,2 and 4 will follow. If all work together as the body for the glory of Christ, then Christ will be recognized as their sovereign Lord, and the believers will come together in fellowship, and they will tolerate nothing less than a godly man for their preacher.

Annie

You stole my answer!

These answers are all interrelated, but the most important thing is that each part of the body is connected to the life force of the church which is Jesus. They could not be working for Jesus without Him working through them. So, No. 4 could not be correct without No. 3. and everything else that annie mentioned

[SEA89]

Quote:
Originally Posted by JDIBe http://www3.christianforums.com/images/buttons/viewpost.gif (http://www.christianforums.com/showthread.php?p=35252444#post35252444)
No. 4.

If no. 4 is TRULY present , and not just in name only, then 1-3 should fall into line.




i agree, i couldn't have said it better:thumbsup: