Episode 64: What is Church?

What is Church?

Ellen G. White, provides several insights into her definition of the church, emphasizing its spiritual, communal, and missional aspects. Her writings portray the church as more than a mere organization or institution; it is a divinely appointed, living body of believers united in faith and purpose. The following is a summary of her key definitions and perspectives on the church, drawn from her writings:

1. A Community of Faithful Believers: White describes the church as a body of faithful souls who, from the beginning, have been united with Christ. She writes, “From the beginning, faithful souls have constituted the church on earth” (The Acts of the Apostles, p. 11). This definition emphasizes the universal and timeless nature of the church, encompassing all who are loyal to God across history, not confined to a specific denomination or organization.
2. God’s Appointed Agency for Salvation: In The Acts of the Apostles, White calls the church “God’s fortress, His city of refuge, which He holds in a revolted world” and “God’s appointed agency for the salvation of men” (p. 11). Its mission is to carry the gospel to the world, reflecting God’s fullness and sufficiency, and to display His love to both earthly and heavenly beings (Ephesians 3:10). The church is a vehicle through which God’s grace and glory are manifested.
3. A Christian Society for Mutual Benefit: White portrays the church as “a Christian society formed for the members composing it, that each member may enjoy the assistance of all the graces and talents of the other members” (Selected Messages, Book 3, p. 15). It is united in a covenant of love and harmony, where believers work together, drawing strength from one another’s gifts under the Holy Spirit’s guidance. This communal aspect enhances the spiritual growth and influence of its members.
4. The Bride of Christ: In her writings, White refers to the church as “the bride, the Lamb’s wife,” emphasizing its intimate spiritual union with Christ (Manuscript 121, 1899). However, she clarifies that mere membership or outward connection with any church does not save; salvation comes through personal faith in Christ (John 6).
5. Not Defined by Apostasy or Unbelief: White provides a definition by antithesis, stating that the church is not a group characterized by “envy, hatred, prejudice, and unbelief,” as seen in those who rejected Christ in favor of Barabbas. Instead, the true church consists of those who repent, keep God’s commandments, and exercise faith in Jesus (The Review and Herald, August 22, 1893).
6. A Structured yet Mission-Driven Body: White played a significant role in shaping the Seventh-day Adventist Church’s organization, advocating for order without formalism. She emphasized that the church’s structure exists to support its mission, which is to proclaim the gospel and the three angels’ messages of Revelation 14. She encouraged unity, doctrinal clarity, and submission to God-appointed leaders, but not authoritarian control (The Making of a Church, González, 2008).
7. A Theater of God’s Grace: White describes the church as “the theater of His grace, in which He delights to reveal His power to transform hearts” (The Acts of the Apostles, p. 12). Despite its imperfections, the church is the object of God’s supreme regard, sustained throu

Thank you for being part of the AskGod365 podcast community.

We value you and appreciate greatly the time you are spending with us today.

Please share your comments and questions at

AskGod365.com

Listen. Learn. Think. Grow. Together.

AskGod365. Answers to life’s difficult questions.

Transcript

What is the Church?

Ellen G. White, provides several insights into her definition of the church, emphasizing its spiritual, communal, and missional aspects. Her writings portray the church as more than a mere organization or institution; it is a divinely appointed, living body of believers united in faith and purpose. The following is a summary of her key definitions and perspectives on the church, drawn from her writings:

1. A Community of Faithful Believers: White describes the church as a body of faithful souls who, from the beginning, have been united with Christ. She writes, “From the beginning, faithful souls have constituted the church on earth” (The Acts of the Apostles, p. 11). This definition emphasizes the universal and timeless nature of the church, encompassing all who are loyal to God across history, not confined to a specific denomination or organization.
2. God’s Appointed Agency for Salvation: In The Acts of the Apostles, White calls the church “God’s fortress, His city of refuge, which He holds in a revolted world” and “God’s appointed agency for the salvation of men” (p. 11). Its mission is to carry the gospel to the world, reflecting God’s fullness and sufficiency, and to display His love to both earthly and heavenly beings (Ephesians 3:10). The church is a vehicle through which God’s grace and glory are manifested.
3. A Christian Society for Mutual Benefit: White portrays the church as “a Christian society formed for the members composing it, that each member may enjoy the assistance of all the graces and talents of the other members” (Selected Messages, Book 3, p. 15). It is united in a covenant of love and harmony, where believers work together, drawing strength from one another’s gifts under the Holy Spirit’s guidance. This communal aspect enhances the spiritual growth and influence of its members.
4. The Bride of Christ: In her writings, White refers to the church as “the bride, the Lamb’s wife,” emphasizing its intimate spiritual union with Christ (Manuscript 121, 1899). However, she clarifies that mere membership or outward connection with any church does not save; salvation comes through personal faith in Christ (John 6).
5. Not Defined by Apostasy or Unbelief: White provides a definition by antithesis, stating that the church is not a group characterized by “envy, hatred, prejudice, and unbelief,” as seen in those who rejected Christ in favor of Barabbas. Instead, the true church consists of those who repent, keep God’s commandments, and exercise faith in Jesus (The Review and Herald, August 22, 1893).
6. A Structured yet Mission-Driven Body: White played a significant role in shaping the Seventh-day Adventist Church’s organization, advocating for order without formalism. She emphasized that the church’s structure exists to support its mission, which is to proclaim the gospel and the three angels’ messages of Revelation 14. She encouraged unity, doctrinal clarity, and submission to God-appointed leaders, but not authoritarian control (The Making of a Church, González, 2008).
7. A Theater of God’s Grace: White describes the church as “the theater of His grace, in which He delights to reveal His power to transform hearts” (The Acts of the Apostles, p. 12). Despite its imperfections, the church is the object of God’s supreme regard, sustained through persecution and darkness, and destined to triumph through divine truth.
8. Distinguished from False Systems: In her writings, particularly in response to controversies like the Stanton manuscripts, White warns against equating the church with systems of apostasy or human tradition (e.g., equating it with “Babylon” in Revelation 18). The true church is defined by its fidelity to God’s Word and its mission, not by organizational flaws or human errors.

God has a church. 

It is not the great cathedral, neither is it the national establishment, neither is it the various denominations; it is the people who love God and keep His commandments. 

“Where two or three are gathered together in My name, there am I in the midst of them.” 

Where Christ is, even among the humble few, this is Christ's church, for the presence of the High and Holy One who inhabits eternity can alone constitute a church. 

Where two or three are present who love and obey the commandments of God, Jesus there presides, let it be in the desolate place of the earth, in the wilderness, in the city, [or] enclosed in prison walls. 

The glory of God has penetrated the prison walls, flooding with glorious beams of heavenly light the darkest dungeon. 

His saints may suffer, but their sufferings will, like the apostles’ of old, spread their faith and win souls to Christ and glorify His holy name. 

The bitterest opposition expressed by those who hate God's great moral standard of righteousness should not and will not shake the steadfast soul who trusts fully in God. 

All things shall work together for good to those who love God. “This is the love of God, that we keep His commandments.” They that will be doers of the word are building securely, and the tempest and storm of persecution will not shake their foundation, because their souls are rooted to the eternal Rock. 17MR 80-81

Recap of the summary of key definitions and perspectives on the church:

1. A Community of Faithful Believers:
   • White describes the church as consisting of "faithful souls" who have been called out by God to live in His light, emphasizing that from the beginning, these individuals constitute the true church on earth. This definition is universal, applying across all ages and locations, and highlights the church as a spiritual body rather than a physical building or denomination.
   • She states, “From the beginning, faithful souls have constituted the church on earth.” This underscores the church as a collective of believers united by faith, not limited by time or place.
2. God’s Appointed Agency:
   • In The Acts of the Apostles, White portrays the church as "God's fortress, His city of refuge" and His "appointed agency for the salvation of men." Its mission is to carry the gospel to the world, reflecting God’s fullness and sufficiency. The church is the repository of Christ’s grace, intended to display God’s love to both earthly and heavenly beings (Ephesians 3:10).
3. A Christian Society for Mutual Benefit:
   • White describes the church as a "Christian society formed for the members composing it," where members benefit from each other’s graces and talents. This society is united in a covenant of love and harmony, working together to emulate Christ’s example. Each member, regardless of their perceived weakness, is vital, connected to Christ as the living head, and contributes to the church’s collective influence.
4. Not Defined by Opposition to Christ:
   • In the Stanton manuscripts, White defines the church by antithesis, stating what it is not. She explains that the church is not a group or denomination characterized by envy, hatred, prejudice, or unbelief, as seen in those who rejected Jesus in favor of Barabbas. This highlights the church’s identity as a body aligned with Christ’s principles, distinct from worldly or unfaithful entities.
5. Organized for Mission and Unity:
   • White emphasizes the church’s organization as a means to enhance its usefulness and influence. She advocates for a structure that fosters mission-driven work, unity in doctrine, and mutual support among members, but warns against centralism or domineering leadership. The church exists to strengthen believers’ influence for good and to maintain discipline that guards members’ rights.
6. Distinct from Worldly Institutions:
   • White contrasts the church with earthly kingdoms, noting that Christ’s kingdom (the church) operates without carnal weapons or coercion, aiming to uplift and ennoble humanity through the Holy Spirit. It is a "court of holy life" endowed with spiritual gifts for the blessing of its members and the world.

In summary, White defines the church as a spiritual community of faithful believers, united in love and organized to fulfill God’s mission of spreading the gospel. It is not merely an institution or denomination, but a living body connected to Christ, designed to reflect His character and grace.

Her definitions emphasize faith, unity, and mission over rigid organizational structures, while warning against worldly traits like prejudice or disunity.

For further reading, her works such as The Acts of the Apostles and Selected Messages 3 provide detailed insights.