Topical Encyclopedia The concept of the Church as holy is deeply rooted in the biblical narrative and theological understanding of the Christian faith. The holiness of the Church is derived from its relationship with God, who is inherently holy. This holiness is not based on the moral perfection of its members but on the sanctifying work of Jesus Christ and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.Biblical Foundation The holiness of the Church is first and foremost a reflection of God's own holiness. In Leviticus 19:2, God commands, "Speak to the whole congregation of the Israelites and tell them: ‘Be holy because I, the LORD your God, am holy.’" This call to holiness is echoed in the New Testament, where the Church is seen as the continuation of God's holy people. The Apostle Peter reiterates this in 1 Peter 1:15-16 : "But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do, for it is written: 'Be holy, because I am holy.'" The Church as the Body of Christ The New Testament frequently describes the Church as the Body of Christ, emphasizing its sanctified status. In Ephesians 1:22-23 , Paul writes, "And God put everything under His feet and made Him head over everything for the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all." As the Body of Christ, the Church is set apart for God's purposes, embodying His presence on earth. Sanctification through Christ The holiness of the Church is made possible through the redemptive work of Jesus Christ. In Ephesians 5:25-27 , Paul explains, "Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her to sanctify her, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to Himself as a glorious church, without stain or wrinkle or any such blemish, but holy and blameless." This passage highlights the sacrificial love of Christ, which purifies and sanctifies the Church, making it holy. The Role of the Holy Spirit The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in maintaining the holiness of the Church. The Spirit indwells believers, guiding them into all truth and empowering them to live holy lives. In 1 Corinthians 3:16-17 , Paul reminds the believers, "Do you not know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him; for God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple." The presence of the Holy Spirit within the Church signifies its sacred nature and divine mission. The Church's Call to Holiness The Church is called to live out its holiness in practical ways, reflecting God's character to the world. This involves a commitment to purity, love, and righteousness. In 1 Thessalonians 4:7 , Paul exhorts, "For God has not called us to impurity, but to holiness." The Church's mission is to be a light in the darkness, demonstrating the transformative power of God's holiness in a fallen world. Conclusion The holiness of the Church is a profound mystery rooted in the nature of God, the redemptive work of Christ, and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. It is both a gift and a calling, inviting believers to participate in God's holy purposes and to reflect His glory in their lives. Nave's Topical Index Exodus 30:26-29And you shall anoint the tabernacle of the congregation therewith, and the ark of the testimony, Nave's Topical Index Exodus 40:9 Leviticus 8:10,11 Leviticus 16:13 Leviticus 19:30 Leviticus 21:12 Numbers 7:1 1 Kings 9:3 1 Chronicles 29:3 2 Chronicles 3:8 Isaiah 64:11 Ezekiel 23:39 1 Corinthians 3:17 Library Hymns of the Holy Eastern Church The Holy Spirit and the Church. The Church is the Temple of God. The Holy Spirit and the one Church When the Holy Church of Christ, the Kingdom of God came among Men. ... The Holy Spirit -56 and the Church (57-60) All who Enter the Church of God and Hear the Holy Scriptures... I Believe in the Holy Ghost; the Holy Christian Church, the ... And what Members of the Holy Body, which is the Church... The Holy Catholic Church. What Believest Thou Concerning the "Holy Catholic Church" of ... Resources Is the Church of Christ a good biblical church? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the difference between the visible and invisible church? | GotQuestions.org What items should be included in a church constitution? | GotQuestions.org Church: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Church and State: Attempted Usurpation of Ecclesiastical Functions by Civil Authorities, Reproved Church and State: Ecclesiastical Power Superior to Civil: Appoints Kings Church and State: Ecclesiastical Power Superior to Civil: Directs Administration Church and State: Ecclesiastical Power Superior to Civil: Reproves Rulers Church and State: Ecclesiastical Power Superior to Civil: Withdraws Support and Anoints a Successor Church and State: Manasseh, in Subverting, and Afterward Restoring, the True Religion Church and State: State Superior to Religion: Ahaz, in Transforming the Altars Church and State: State Superior to Religion: Hezekiah, in Reorganizing Temple Service Church and State: State Superior to Religion: Jehoash, in Supervising the Repairs of the Temple Church and State: State Superior to Religion: Jeroboam, in Subverting the Jewish Religion Church is Clothed in Righteousness Church of Israel in Covenant With God Church of Israel was Relatively Holy Church of Israel: A Type of the Church of Christ Church of Israel: Admission Into, by Circumcision Church of Israel: All Israelites Members of Church of Israel: Attachment of the Jews To Church of Israel: Called The: Congregation of Israel Church of Israel: Called The: Congregation of the Lord Church of Israel: Established by God Church of Israel: Had: A Spiritual Church Within It Church of Israel: Had: An Appointed Place of Worship Church of Israel: Had: An Ordained Ministry Church of Israel: Had: Appointed Feasts Church of Israel: Had: Appointed Ordinances Church of Israel: Had: The Divine Presence Manifested in It Church of Israel: Members of Excommunicated for Heavy Offenses Church of Israel: Members of Required to Attend Its Worship Church of Israel: Members of Required to Keeps Its Statutes Church of Israel: Members of Required to Know Its Statutes Church of Israel: Members of Separated From, While Unclean Church of Israel: Persons Excluded From Church of Israel: Privileges of Church of Israel: Proselytes Admitted Into Church of Israel: Supported by the People Church of Israel: The Depository of Holy Writ Church of Israel: Worship of, Consisted in Praise Church of Israel: Worship of, Consisted in Prayer Church of Israel: Worship of, Consisted in Preaching Church of Israel: Worship of, Consisted in Reading God's Word Church of Israel: Worship of, Consisted in Sacrifice Church: Assembly of the Saints Church: Assembly of the Upright Church: Baptized (Immersed) Into by One Spirit Church: Believers Continually Added To, by the Lord Church: Branch of God's Planting Church: Called the Congregation in the O. T. (K. J. V. And Others) Church: Christian, Divinely Established Church: Church of the Firstborn Church: Church of the Living God Church: City of the Living God Church: Congregation of Saints Church: Congregation of the Lord's Poor Church: Defiling of, Will be Punished Church: Divisions In, to be Shunned Church: Family in Heaven and Earth Church: General Assembly of the Firstborn (People) Church: God Provides Ministers For Church: God's Husbandry (Farm) Church: Golden Candlestick (Lampstand) Church: Government of, Mosaic and Christian Church: Harmonious Fellowship of Church: List of Congregations of Christians: Antioch Church: List of Congregations of Christians: Asia Church: List of Congregations of Christians: Babylon Church: List of Congregations of Christians: Caesarea Church: List of Congregations of Christians: Cenchrea Church: List of Congregations of Christians: Cilicia Church: List of Congregations of Christians: Corinth Church: List of Congregations of Christians: Ephesus Church: List of Congregations of Christians: Galatia Church: List of Congregations of Christians: Galilee Church: List of Congregations of Christians: Jerusalem Church: List of Congregations of Christians: Joppa Church: List of Congregations of Christians: Judaea Church: List of Congregations of Christians: Laodicea Church: List of Congregations of Christians: Pergamos Church: List of Congregations of Christians: Philadelphia Church: List of Congregations of Christians: Samaria Church: List of Congregations of Christians: Sardis Church: List of Congregations of Christians: Smyrna Church: List of Congregations of Christians: Syria Church: List of Congregations of Christians: Thessalonica Church: List of Congregations of Christians: Thyatira Church: Lot of God's Inheritance Church: Ministers Commanded to Feed Church: Mountain of the Lord's House Church: Pillar and Ground of the Truth Church: Prophecies Concerning Prosperity of Church: Rules of Discipline In, Mosaic and Christian Church: Salt and Light of the World Church: Sought Out, a City not Forsaken Church: Strength and Glory of God Church: Temple of the Living God Church: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Church: Worship of, to be Attended The Church is Edified by the Word The Church: Believers Continually Added To, by the Lord The Church: Christ, the Foundation-Stone of The Church: Christ, the Head of The Church: Clothed in Righteousness The Church: Defiling of, Will be Punished The Church: Displays the Wisdom of God The Church: Extent of, Predicted The Church: Glory to be Ascribed to God By The Church: God Provides Ministers For The Church: Ministers Commanded to Feed The Church: Not to be Despised The Church: Purchased by the Blood of Christ The Church: Saints Baptised Into, by One Spirit The Church: Sanctified and Cleansed by Christ The Church: Shows Forth the Praises of God The Church: The Body of Christ The Church: The Object of the Grace of God The Church: The Wicked Persecute Related Terms |
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