Key Doctrines of the Faith: Ecclesiology

by David Chadwick

Every foundational doctrine of the Christian faith lays the groundwork for a strong and secure faith that should be able to stand against the resistance we will inevitably meet until Jesus returns. Take each of these keys and use them.

Today’s key: ecclesiology, the church. The ekklesia in Greek (ecclesia in Latin). The “called out” people of God. The Bride of Christ. The body of Christ. The family of God. The army of committed believers. Coming together regularly to worship Jesus and bring the kingdom of heaven to earth.

Jesus first mentions it in Matthew 16:18 when he talks about building his church, against whom the gates of hell will not prevail. This is the purpose of the church. To break down the gates of hell. To work on the offensive against Satan and his demons.

The book of Ephesians is Paul’s epistle that best talks about the church and its importance. Jesus loves his church. It’s HIS bride. In fact, you can’t say you love Jesus, but don’t love his church. He is the bridegroom and adores his bride, as flawed as she might be this side of eternity.

Every Christian needs to be connected to a local community of believers. If you are a member of the body of Christ, you must have a group of people with whom you can live on mission, serving and loving one another and the world around you. You’re not called to be a spectator who goes and checks off the box. You’re called to be involved, using your spiritual gifts to bless this world!

The church was never meant to be a place for celebrity pastors. It was never intended to be a platform on which people could build a name for themselves. Unfortunately, there has been so much compromise within the church world. Many foundational principles of the faith have been overlooked in the name of growing a ministry. It’s a travesty.

If only pastors would remember that Jesus says, “I will build MY church.” We certainly play a role, but his yoke is easy and burden is light (Matthew 11:30) and it is ultimately his job to build what was his in the first place! The pressure is off!

The church exists for the edification of people and the glorification of Jesus. Plain and simple. It should be a place where everyone, especially pastors, are pointing the world to Jesus. HIS glory. HIS power. HIS might. Until he returns.

And Jesus WILL return one day.

Key Doctrines of the Faith: Angelology and Demonology

by David Chadwick

Learning the key doctrines of the Christian faith is a crucial part of maturing in the faith. James 1:4 speaks to the importance of enduring trials to become perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. I believe these doctrines are important in helping us develop a strong core that can withstand life’s trials and ultimately reach maturity.

Continuing on with our next key is this: the doctrine of angelology and demonology (angels, Satan, and demons).

All of these are creatures, originally created by God to expand his love to them. Always remember they are creatures. Only God is the Creator.

Let’s start with talking about angels. Angels are mentioned 273 times in the Bible. There are millions upon millions of angels in heaven. Hebrews 12:22 says they are “innumerable.” Their purpose is to worship God and minister to God’s elect on the earth (Hebrews 1:14). They even ministered to Jesus after Satan’s temptations.

Next is Satan and his demons. Satan was a high-ranking angel who rebelled against God (Isaiah 14:12-15, Ezekiel 28:13-19). He wanted Jesus’s position. He took one-third of the angels with him who became his army of demons (Revelation 12:9).

Satan’s job description? Kill, steal, and destroy God’s creation and creatures (John 10:10).

Satan and his armies are constantly doing warfare against God and his armies. It’s called spiritual warfare. In Ephesians 6:10-20, Paul talks about how Christians should help fight against a spiritual enemy with spiritual weapons.

Though Satan is powerful, he is a defeated foe. Jesus destroyed Satan’s power on the cross and as Christians, we are now able to live powerfully in the Spirit. We must fight FROM the victory that Jesus will have when he returns.

We are more than conquerors because of Jesus, who loves us (Romans 8:37). Satan can only tempt us. We are the ones who make the choice whether to give in to his temptations or not.

We have been given a future promise that must define our present reality. Jesus will bind Satan, throw him into a pit, and eventually throw him into the lake of fire to be tormented day and night forever (Revelation 20:1-3, Revelation 20:10).

If you follow Jesus, you have won. Satan is a defeated foe.

And choose to stand confidently, assured of this future hope!

Key Doctrines of the Faith: Glorification

by David Chadwick

This week, I will give you five final key doctrines of the Christian faith. These truths are foundational to our faith. They are essentials. We cannot add to them or take away from them.

Today we focus on glorification – the final step in our redemption after justification and sanctification (Romans 8:29-30).

It’s when we all receive our eternal, material, perfected, glorified bodies. They will be like ours here, but without sin, flaws, disease, and imperfections. What a glorious day that will be!

The Bible says that we move from glory to glory as we are transformed to live and look more and more like Jesus (2 Corinthians 3:18). Ultimately, we will appear with Christ in glory one day (Colossians 3:4). As God’s children, we have not yet seen what will be, but when he appears again we shall be like him (1 John 3:2).

Jesus was given his glorified resurrection body after he died on the cross, was resurrected, and ascended to heaven. He was given an eternal, material, flesh and blood body. How do we know this? Because the disciples saw him after this happened.

When he came to the disciples after being raised from the dead, Jesus offered Thomas the opportunity to touch his nail scarred wrists and feet. This implies he both had an eternal body and that body had scars!

Could it be that one day at the wedding feast of the Lamb, Jesus will serve us with those visible scars? And we will see these scars on his body forever? Always reminding us of his grace and the price he paid for us? How special would that be!

Our glorified bodies will be perfect in every way. Free from sin, decay, disease, hurt, pain, shame. Stop and imagine that for a moment!

And let it prompt you to worship our risen Lord Jesus!