Topical Encyclopedia The concept of the Church as an entity that shows forth the praises of God is deeply rooted in Scripture and is a central theme in the New Testament. The Church, as the body of Christ, is called to be a living testimony to the glory and majesty of God, reflecting His character and proclaiming His works to the world.Biblical Foundation The Apostle Peter articulates this purpose clearly in 1 Peter 2:9 : "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, to proclaim the virtues of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light." This passage underscores the identity and mission of the Church. As a "chosen people" and "royal priesthood," believers are set apart to declare the excellencies of God, who has redeemed them. The Church's role in praising God is also evident in Ephesians 1:11-12 : "In Him we were also chosen as God’s own, having been predestined according to the plan of Him who works out everything by the counsel of His will, in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, would be for the praise of His glory." Here, the Apostle Paul emphasizes that the Church exists for the praise of God's glory, highlighting the divine purpose behind the Church's existence. Worship and Praise Worship is a primary means by which the Church shows forth the praises of God. In corporate worship, believers gather to exalt God through song, prayer, and the proclamation of His Word. Colossians 3:16 instructs, "Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God." This verse illustrates how worship is both an expression of gratitude and a declaration of God's greatness. The Book of Revelation provides a glimpse of the heavenly worship that the Church on earth anticipates. Revelation 5:13 declares, "And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying: 'To Him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power forever and ever!'" This vision of universal praise serves as a model for the Church's worship. Witness and Proclamation Beyond worship, the Church shows forth the praises of God through its witness and proclamation of the Gospel. Jesus commissioned His followers in Matthew 28:19-20 : "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 Great Commission calls the Church to spread the message of salvation, thereby magnifying God's redemptive work. The early Church exemplified this mission in Acts 2:47 , where it is recorded that they were "praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved." The Church's vibrant witness and communal life were instrumental in drawing others to Christ, thus glorifying God. Living Testimony The Church also shows forth the praises of God through the transformed lives of its members. In Matthew 5:16 , Jesus instructs, "In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." The righteous conduct and good works of believers serve as a testament to God's transformative power and invite others to glorify Him. The Apostle Paul echoes this in Philippians 2:15 , urging believers to be "blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and perverse generation, in which you shine as lights in the world." The Church's distinctiveness in character and conduct is a powerful witness to the holiness and goodness of God. Conclusion The Church, as the body of Christ, is divinely appointed to show forth the praises of God through worship, witness, and the transformed lives of its members. This calling is both a privilege and a responsibility, as the Church reflects God's glory to a watching world. Torrey's Topical Textbook Isaiah 60:6The multitude of camels shall cover you, the dromedaries of Midian and Ephah; all they from Sheba shall come: they shall bring gold and incense; and they shall show forth the praises of the LORD. Torrey's Topical Textbook Library The Corruption of Man, his Conversion to God, and the Manner ... The Being of God Arrangement and Furniture of the Church Kingo's Church Hymns Psalm XLV. Of the Continuance of the Soul. The Faith which Christ Praises The vision Virtues of the Emperor Theodosius the Younger. By the Example of Anna St. ... 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 The-not-beloved (1 Occurrence) Kir'iath-je'arim (18 Occurrences) Kirjathjearim (17 Occurrences) Vine-dressers (18 Occurrences) Kirjath-jearim (17 Occurrences) Kibroth-hattaavah (5 Occurrences) |