The concept of the Church being established is a profound theme within the Christian faith, reflecting the divine intention and purpose for the Church as the body of Christ. The establishment of the Church is not merely a historical event but an ongoing spiritual reality that underscores its excellency and glory.

Biblical Foundation

The establishment of the Church is rooted in the promises and actions of God throughout Scripture. In Matthew 16:18, Jesus declares, "And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it." . This foundational promise highlights the divine initiative in establishing the Church, ensuring its endurance and victory over spiritual opposition.

Divine Sovereignty and Purpose

The Church's establishment is a testament to God's sovereign will and purpose. Ephesians 1:22-23 states, "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." . This passage emphasizes that the Church is not a human institution but a divine organism, established by God to manifest the fullness of Christ in the world.

Spiritual Foundation and Growth

The Church is established on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the cornerstone. Ephesians 2:19-22 explains, "Therefore you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of God’s household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the cornerstone. In Him the whole building is fitted together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord." . This imagery of a growing temple signifies the dynamic and living nature of the Church, continually being built up in faith and unity.

Endurance and Stability

The establishment of the Church ensures its stability and endurance through all ages. Isaiah 54:14 proclaims, "In righteousness you will be established; you will be far from oppression, for you will have no fear, and from terror, for it will not come near you." . This prophetic assurance speaks to the Church's security and peace, grounded in the righteousness of God.

Mission and Witness

The Church's establishment is also linked to its mission and witness in the world. Acts 1:8 records Jesus' words, "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." . The empowerment by the Holy Spirit is integral to the Church's establishment, enabling it to fulfill its mission of proclaiming the Gospel and making disciples of all nations.

Unity and Diversity

The Church's establishment is marked by a unity that transcends cultural and ethnic boundaries, as seen in Galatians 3:28: "There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus." . This unity in diversity reflects the Church's glory, as it embodies the reconciling work of Christ and serves as a foretaste of the coming Kingdom.

Conclusion

The excellency and glory of the Church, as seen in its being established, is a multifaceted reality that encompasses divine sovereignty, spiritual growth, stability, mission, and unity. Through these aspects, the Church stands as a testament to God's redemptive work in history and His ongoing presence in the world.Psalm 48:8
As we have heard, so have we seen in the city of the LORD of hosts, in the city of our God: God will establish it for ever. Selah.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Isaiah 33:20
Look on Zion, the city of our solemnities: your eyes shall see Jerusalem a quiet habitation, a tabernacle that shall not be taken down; not one of the stakes thereof shall ever be removed, neither shall any of the cords thereof be broken.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

The Object of Theology
... glory of his name and for the edification of his Church. ... counted all things but lost
for the excellency of the ... us accepted, to the praise of the glory of his ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 1/oration i the object of.htm

Natural Evil, or Suffering, and Especially the Suffering of ...
... in the very respects in which its excellency is supposed ... Is it to manifest the glory
of that goodness to ... punishment, is not confined to the Church of England. ...
/.../a theodicy or vindication of the divine glory/chapter ii natural evil or.htm

The Priesthood of Christ
... and inseparable union of the whole church of believers ... the brightness of the Father's
glory," "the express ... God," I shall have expressed its excellency as fully ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 1/oration iv the priesthood of.htm

Fourthly; all the [Credenda, Or] Doctrines, which the True, Simple ...
... sin, and to convince them of the excellency and importance ... we to show forth the praise
and glory of their ... that the ancientest writers of the church have always ...
/.../xiii proposition xiii fourthly all.htm

Period iv. The Age of the Consolidation of the Church: 200 to 324 ...
... glory of the Lord and of the excellency of divine ... star differ from another star in
glory, unless in ... importance in the history of the Church, consist only of ...
/.../ayer/a source book for ancient church history/period iv the age of.htm

Preached Before the Governor, and Council, and the House of ...
... the son of Josedech (O happy times when church and state ... And after a life spent to
his glory, and your ... to you, for your late address to his Excellency in favor ...
/.../selected sermons of george whitefield/preached before the governor and.htm

Of Atheistical Discourse.
... but my people have changed their glory for that which ... inference of the same Apostle,
from the excellency of the ... the next succeeding ages of the Church, we find ...
/.../allestree/the government of the tongue/section iii of atheistical discourse.htm

Of Justification by Faith. Both the Name and the Reality Defined.
... from Paul's discourse, that God purchased the Church with his ... I count all things
but loss for the excellency of the ... by works he has whereof to glory;" and then ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 11 of justification by.htm

Period iii. The Dissolution of the Imperial State Church and the ...
... of our fathers, in the sight of God and to our glory. ... to the faith, participate in
the communion of that Church which receives in its maternal bosom a ...
/.../ayer/a source book for ancient church history/period iii the dissolution of.htm

Of Faith. The Definition of It. Its Peculiar Properties.
... all things as loss for the excellency of the ... This Paul affirms of the whole Church,
each individual ... is rather increased and confirmed, because we glory not in ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 2 of faith the.htm

What is the Letter to Diognetus? | GotQuestions.org

Why did God create the world / earth? | GotQuestions.org

Excellency: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus