Topical Encyclopedia
The concept of the Church's extent and its predicted growth is a significant theme throughout the Scriptures. The Church, as the body of Christ, is prophesied to expand beyond the confines of Israel to encompass all nations, tribes, and tongues. This expansion is rooted in the promises of God and the mission given by Christ to His disciples.
Old Testament FoundationsThe Old Testament contains numerous prophecies that hint at the universal scope of God's redemptive plan, which would later be fulfilled through the Church. In
Genesis 12:3, God promises Abraham, "And all the families of the earth will be blessed through you." This covenantal promise sets the stage for the inclusion of Gentiles into the people of God.
Isaiah 2:2-3 speaks of a time when "the mountain of the house of the LORD will be established as the chief of the mountains... and all nations will stream to it." This imagery suggests a future where the worship of God is not limited to Israel but is embraced by all nations.
New Testament FulfillmentThe New Testament reveals the fulfillment of these prophecies through the establishment and growth of the Church. Jesus Himself predicts the global mission of His followers. In
Matthew 28:19-20, He 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, and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you."
The Book of Acts records the early Church's expansion from Jerusalem to Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth (
Acts 1:8). This progression illustrates the fulfillment of Christ's mandate and the realization of the Church's predicted extent.
Apostolic TeachingsThe Apostle Paul, in his epistles, emphasizes the breaking down of barriers between Jews and Gentiles. In
Ephesians 2:14-16, he writes, "For He Himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has torn down the dividing wall of hostility... to create in Himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace." This new unity in Christ signifies the Church's inclusive nature and its reach across ethnic and cultural boundaries.
Paul further underscores the Church's universal mission in
Romans 10:12-13: "For there is no difference between Jew and Greek: The same Lord is Lord of all, and gives richly to all who call on Him, for, 'Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.'"
Eschatological VisionThe Book of Revelation provides a vision of the Church's ultimate extent. In
Revelation 7:9, John describes a multitude "from every nation and tribe and people and tongue, standing before the throne and before the Lamb." This vision encapsulates the fulfillment of the Church's predicted growth, as believers from all corners of the earth gather in worship.
ConclusionThe extent of the Church, as predicted in Scripture, is a testament to God's sovereign plan for redemption. From the promises made to Abraham to the Great Commission and the eschatological vision in Revelation, the Church's growth is portrayed as a divine mandate that transcends cultural and geographical boundaries. Through the work of the Holy Spirit and the faithful witness of believers, the Church continues to fulfill its mission, drawing people from every nation into the fold of God's kingdom.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Isaiah 2:2And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the LORD's house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow to it.
Torrey's Topical TextbookEzekiel 17:22-24
Thus said the Lord GOD; I will also take of the highest branch of the high cedar, and will set it; I will crop off from the top of his young twigs a tender one, and will plant it on an high mountain and eminent:
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Daniel 2:34,35
You saw till that a stone was cut out without hands, which smote the image on his feet that were of iron and clay, and broke them to pieces.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Habakkuk 2:14
For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Library
The Treasure Hid in the Scriptures is Christ; the True Exposition ...
... of those things which had been predicted, that is ... of His discourse be glorified to
such an extent, that others ... the presbyters who are in the Church,"those who ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter xxvi the treasure hid in.htm
The Persecutions of the Apostolic Church, and Its Condition at the ...
... that he had, to a dangerous extent, provoked the ... was so long regarded by members
of the Church in all ... Christ, forty years before, had predicted the siege and ...
/.../killen/the ancient church/chapter xi the persecutions of.htm
Period iv. The Age of the Consolidation of the Church: 200 to 324 ...
... before, by its subtle deceitfulness, had predicted, furthermore, that a ... of Rome and
his relations to the Church as a ... of obscurity, due to a large extent to the ...
/.../ayer/a source book for ancient church history/period iv the age of.htm
On the Faith and Piety of Theodosius Augustus.
... victor, as he had believed and predicted, overthrew the ... of by the discipline of the
church, did penance ... the possession of an empire, whose extent He regulates ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/chapter 26 on the faith and.htm
Rejoicings of the victors.
... Multitudes actually supposed the long-predicted kingdom of ... remarkable tranquillity
which, throughout the extent of the ... the new and magnificent Church of the ...
/.../bliss/a brief commentary on the apocalypse/rejoicings of the victors.htm
John Knox.
... anti-Christian apostasy and Babylonish harlot predicted in the ... for the edification
of the Church over which ... learning, wealth of ideas, and extent of influence ...
/.../creeds of christendom with a history and critical notes/ 88 john knox.htm
From Antioch to the Destruction of Jerusalem.
... Caesarea during which Agabus, who had formerly told them of the coming drouth,
predicted that the ... (10) The time and extent of Paul's ... (11) The church council at ...
/.../tidwell/the bible period by period/chapter xx from antioch to.htm
The Woman and Dragon.
... of Mount Palatine, and gradually increased in extent, till it ... no longer the casket
in which the church was enshrined ... for of no other was it predicted: "Thou art ...
/.../bliss/a brief commentary on the apocalypse/the woman and dragon.htm
Against those who Fancy that in the Judgment of God all the ...
... of the dead, indeed, the prayer of the Church or of ... be mixed with mercy to the extent
of alleviating ... yet that which God's foreknowledge had predicted did take ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 24 against those who fancy.htm
The Early History of Particular Churches.
... as well as those contained in the large extent of country ... Sidenote: Extinction of
Judaism in Church of Jerusalem ... a failure which had already been predicted by St ...
/.../a key to the knowledge of church history/chapter vii the early history.htm
Resources
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