Topical Bible: Church: Privileges of

◄ Church: Privileges of ►

Jump to: Nave's • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

The concept of the Church in Christian theology encompasses a wide array of privileges granted to believers, as outlined in the Scriptures. These privileges are both spiritual and communal, reflecting the Church's unique position as the body of Christ.

1. Adoption as Children of God: Believers are granted the privilege of being called children of God. This adoption is a profound spiritual privilege, as stated in John 1:12 , "But to all who did receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God." This adoption signifies a personal relationship with God, characterized by intimacy and love.

2. Access to God: Through Christ, the Church has direct access to God. Hebrews 4:16 encourages believers, "Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." This privilege allows believers to communicate with God through prayer and worship, assured of His attentive presence.

3. Indwelling of the Holy Spirit: The Church is privileged to have the Holy Spirit dwelling within its members. 1 Corinthians 6:19 states, "Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have received from God?" This indwelling empowers believers for holy living and service.

4. Fellowship with Believers: The Church enjoys the privilege of fellowship, as believers are united in Christ. Acts 2:42 describes the early Church, "They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer." This fellowship provides mutual support, encouragement, and accountability.

5. Participation in the Sacraments: The Church is privileged to partake in the sacraments, such as baptism and the Lord's Supper. These are means of grace that signify and seal the promises of God. Matthew 28:19 commands, "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit."

6. Inheritance of Eternal Life: Believers are promised an eternal inheritance. 1 Peter 1:4 speaks of "an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, reserved in heaven for you." This privilege assures believers of their future hope and destiny with God.

7. Authority in Christ: The Church is granted authority in spiritual matters. Matthew 16:19 records Jesus saying, "I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven." This authority is exercised in accordance with God's will and purposes.

8. Protection and Provision: The Church is under the protection and provision of God. Philippians 4:19 assures, "And my God will supply all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus." This privilege encompasses both spiritual and material needs, as God cares for His people.

9. Mission and Purpose: The Church is privileged to participate in God's mission. Matthew 28:19-20 commissions believers, "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations... teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you." This mission gives the Church a divine purpose and calling in the world.

10. Promise of Christ's Presence: The Church is assured of Christ's continual presence. Matthew 28:20 concludes with the promise, "And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." This presence provides comfort, guidance, and strength to the Church in all circumstances.

Nave's Topical Index

Psalm 36:8
They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of your house; and you shall make them drink of the river of your pleasures.
Nave's Topical Index

Psalm 87:5
And of Zion it shall be said, This and that man was born in her: and the highest himself shall establish her.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

What are the Special Privileges of the visible Church?
... Question 63: What are the special privileges of the visible church? Answer:
The visible church has the privilege of being under ...
/.../anonymous/the westminster larger catechism/question 63 0 0 what are the.htm

The Primitive Church
... by the Letters of Peace which martyrs and confessors were allowed to give to
excommunicated persons, authorizing their readmission to Church privileges. ...
/.../a key to the knowledge of church history/chapter v the primitive church.htm

National Privileges
... of not believing, in short, in what the Creed truly calls the Holy Catholic Church. ...
And then at last, after all these blessed privileges, these tokens of God's ...
/.../kingsley/twenty-five village sermons/sermon xxii national privileges.htm

Introduction. These Two Books were Written against the Novatian ...
... It was the outcome of a struggle which had long existed in the Church upon the question
of the restitution to Church privileges of those who had fallen into ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/introduction these two books were.htm

False Brethren and False Principles in the Church: Spirit and ...
... [323:3]. Every disciple who married a heathen was cut off from Church
privileges. The apostles had condemned such an alliance, [323 ...
/.../killen/the ancient church/chapter iii false brethren and.htm

The Unity of the Church.
... that unity is the condition of our receiving the privileges of the Gospel is confirmed
by the mode in which the Prophets describe the Christian Church; that is ...
/.../newman/parochial and plain sermons vol vii/sermon xvii the unity of.htm

"For the Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus Hath Made Me ...
... Sion. You think you have church privileges, and what needs more? Be not
deceived,"you are servants of sin, and therefore not free. ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon vii for the law.htm

Methodists, or the Methodist Protestant Church.
... a written constitution, establishing the form of government, and securing to the
ministers and members of the church their rights and privileges, is the best ...
/.../hayward/the book of religions/methodists or the methodist protestant.htm

The Nuns of the Primitive Church
... Rigid disciplinarian as he was, and zealous in his labors to aggrandize the Church,
Gregory was careful not to allow the privileges of monasticism to be pushed ...
/.../brittain/women of early christianity/vi the nuns of the.htm

The Cambridge Platform and the Half-Way Covenant
... Within the membership of the New England churches themselves, there was great
uncertainty concerning several church privileges, as, for instance, how far ...
/.../chapter iv the cambridge platform.htm