The Church: Shows Forth the Praises of God
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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 60:6
The 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 ...
... difference between good and evil, and shows some regard ... operation of God whereby
He brings forth and supports ... or receive instruction in the Church to presume ...
//christianbookshelf.org/anonymous/synod of dort/the corruption of man his.htm

The Being of God
... Use four: It shows that the worship which God ... Thanksgiving does not stand in
church-music, the melody of ... into nothing when infinite majesty shines forth in its ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a body of divinity/1 the being of god.htm

Arrangement and Furniture of the Church
... Our Lord's example shows how properly we follow this ancient ... with pure affection,
and to bring forth the fruits ... Spirit." This is the way the Church teaches us ...
/.../regester/the worship of the church/arrangement and furniture of the.htm

Kingo's Church Hymns
... sacraments faithfully reflect the doctrines of the Lutheran Church. Here he most
clearly shows his ability to present ... Break forth, my soul, in joy and praise; ...
/.../aaberg/hymns and hymnwriters of denmark/chapter six kingos church hymns.htm

Psalm XLV.
... meant His Saints, His elect, His whole Church, which he shows forth, as His ... of the
Prophets and Apostles." [1466] The Church has brought "forth sons;" has ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm xlv.htm

Of the Continuance of the Soul.
... will bless the Lord, from this time forth for evermore ... in which as the blessed Apostle
shows, the image ... an innumerable company of angels, and the church of the ...
/.../cassian/the works of john cassian /chapter xiv of the continuance.htm

The Faith which Christ Praises
... has that 'also,' as the Revised Version shows), 'I also ... of dealing with physical
nature, by the bare forth-putting of ... and high in place in His church, it would ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/the faith which christ praises.htm

The vision
... nor give them the power of going forth, and raging ... for other causes, so chiefly because
the church, which, from ... The analogy of the New Jerusalem shows this to ...
//christianbookshelf.org/mede/a key to the apocalypse/the vision .htm

Virtues of the Emperor Theodosius the Younger.
... people to be satisfied in future with shows of a ... These things however, I shall set
forth very briefly, leaving ... week as fast days in the early Church see Bingham ...
/.../chapter xxii virtues of the emperor.htm

By the Example of Anna St. ...
... what mode of life corresponds thereto; for Anna shows what widows ... virginity, for
we do not so set forth one as ... The training of the Church is rich in this, that ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter iv by the example.htm

Resources
Is the Church of Christ a good biblical church? | GotQuestions.org

What 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 ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Subtopics

Church

Church and State

Church and State: Artaxerxes, in Exempting Priests, Levites, and Other Temple Functionaries from Taxes

Church and State: Attempted Usurpation of Ecclesiastical Functions by Civil Authorities, Reproved

Church and State: David

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: Solomon

Church and State: State Favorable to Religion: Cyrus, in his Proclamation to Restore the Temple at Jerusalem

Church and State: State Favorable to Religion: Darius, in his Edict Furthering the Restoration of the Temple

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 and State: State Superior to Religion: Josiah, in Exercising the Function of the Priests in the Temple

Church and State: State Superior to Religion: Solomon, in Thrusting Abiathar out of the High Priest's office

Church Attendance

Church Building

Church Conflict

Church Discipline

Church Fellowship

Church Finances

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Church is Clothed in Righteousness

Church is Edified by the Word

Church is Glorious

Church is Prayed For

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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

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Church: General Assembly of the Firstborn (People)

Church: God Defends

Church: God Provides Ministers For

Church: God's Building

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Church: God's Husbandry (Farm)

Church: Golden Candlestick (Lampstand)

Church: Government of, Mosaic and Christian

Church: Habitation of God

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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

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Church: Thy Kingdom

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Church: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To

Church: Unity of

Church: Vineyard

Church: Worship of, to be Attended

Church: Zion

Emergent Church

The Church is Edified by the Word

The Church: Believers Continually Added To, by the Lord

The Church: Belongs to God

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: Elect

The Church: Extent of, Predicted

The Church: Glorious

The Church: Glory to be Ascribed to God By

The Church: God Defends

The Church: God Provides Ministers For

The Church: Loved by Christ

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: Subject to Christ

The Church: The Body of Christ

The Church: The Object of the Grace of God

The Church: The Wicked Persecute

The Church: Unity of

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Lord'the (1 Occurrence)

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Saying'the (1 Occurrence)

Jok'the-el (1 Occurrence)

The-oph'ilus (2 Occurrences)

The-not-beloved (1 Occurrence)

Ko'hathites (19 Occurrences)

Kohathite (18 Occurrences)

Kir'iath-je'arim (18 Occurrences)

Zin (9 Occurrences)

Zarephath (4 Occurrences)

Kirjathjearim (17 Occurrences)

Vintage (14 Occurrences)

Kore (4 Occurrences)

Knives (12 Occurrences)

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Kareah (14 Occurrences)

Vegetation (18 Occurrences)

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Vine-dressers (18 Occurrences)

Vicinity (18 Occurrences)

Zeboim (7 Occurrences)

Kadeshbarnea (9 Occurrences)

Kare'ah (14 Occurrences)

Volition

Kol

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Vashti (10 Occurrences)

Zabdi (17 Occurrences)

Knitted (9 Occurrences)

Kids (12 Occurrences)

Killeth (23 Occurrences)

Vial (12 Occurrences)

Zelophehad (9 Occurrences)

Home-born (14 Occurrences)

Kingship (17 Occurrences)

Kadesh-barnea (9 Occurrences)

Zealot (4 Occurrences)

Kibroth-hattaavah (5 Occurrences)

Kibrothhattaavah (5 Occurrences)

Victorious (17 Occurrences)

Zacchaeus (3 Occurrences)

Zenas (1 Occurrence)

Kneel (10 Occurrences)

Zachariah (6 Occurrences)

Kebar (8 Occurrences)

Kerethites (9 Occurrences)

Zeeb (3 Occurrences)

Zoheleth (1 Occurrence)

Zarethan (4 Occurrences)

Kinnereth (7 Occurrences)

Knowledge

Knelt (20 Occurrences)

Visible (12 Occurrences)

Zeus (3 Occurrences)

Ziph (9 Occurrences)

Zebadiah (9 Occurrences)

Zorah (10 Occurrences)

Kenite (9 Occurrences)

Kick (8 Occurrences)

Kedar (11 Occurrences)

Zichri (12 Occurrences)

Ko'rahites (6 Occurrences)

Zeru'iah (24 Occurrences)

Kei'lah (16 Occurrences)

24000 (10 Occurrences)

Vapor (6 Occurrences)

Vanished (13 Occurrences)

Verdict (7 Occurrences)

Violated (23 Occurrences)

Knop (4 Occurrences)

Visiting (10 Occurrences)

Zaphon (4 Occurrences)

Zephani'ah (10 Occurrences)

Zaccur (10 Occurrences)

Koz (5 Occurrences)

Kadmiel (8 Occurrences)

The Church: Sanctified and Cleansed by Christ
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