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A Bible Study by Adam Osborne, Jr.

The Nature and Unity of the Church in Scripture

The term “church” (Greek: ekklesia) in Matthew 16:18, where Jesus declares, “And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it,” carries the fundamental meaning of “a calling out” or “an assembly” (Strong, 1990, Ref #1577). This can refer to a general gathering, a religious congregation, the community of believers on earth, or even saints in heaven (Strong, 1990). C.I. Scofield notes that it implies a gathering of those “called forth or called out” (Scofield, 1967, note on Matthew 16:18). Spiros Zodhiates emphasizes that in this context, the church signifies the body of believers themselves (Zodhiates, 1992, entry for ekklesia). Adam Clarke defines it as an “assembly, congregation,” comprising individuals who share a “precious faith” (Clarke, n.d., p. 174), aligning with the Church of England’s 19th article defining it as “a congregation of faithful men, in the which the pure work of God is preached, and the sacraments duly administered, according to Christ’s ordinance” (cited in Clarke, n.d., p. 174). Jack Hayford interprets “the gates of hades/hell” as “the power of death,” which cannot hinder the advancement of God’s kingdom or triumph over His people (Hayford, 1991, note on Matthew 16:18).  

The word “church” has roots in secular Greek, denoting an assembly of citizens, and in the Septuagint, referring to the congregation of Israel (Hayford, 1991). In the New Testament, its primary usage describes a gathering or company of Christians in several ways: the entire body of Christians, a local congregation meeting for worship and fellowship, or multiple churches within a region (Hayford, 1991). Related terms include “spiritual house,” “chosen race,” and “God’s people” (Hayford, 1991).

Ephesians 5:23-27 further illustrates the relationship between Christ and the church, stating, “For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.” This passage highlights Christ’s role as the head and savior of the church. Scofield (1967, note on Ephesians 5:25-27) outlines Christ’s three-fold labor of love for the church: His self-sacrifice for redemption, His ongoing sanctification, and His future presentation of the church as flawless. Clarke (n.d., p. 341) draws a parallel, suggesting that as Christ exercises authority to save and protect the church, husbands should similarly protect, comfort, and provide for their wives. Hayford (1991, note on Ephesians 5:25) emphasizes that husbands are called to lead with the same self-giving love Christ demonstrated for the church.

Acts 20:28-31 provides instruction for church leaders: “Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.” Strong’s Concordance defines “feed” (Greek: poimaino) as “to tend as a shepherd” or “to rule” (Strong, 1990, Ref #4165). Clarke (n.d., p. 288) explains that overseers are responsible for the spiritual well-being of the flock, guiding and providing for them. Hayford (1991, note on Acts 20:28) identifies several key lessons for church leadership in this passage: leaders must prioritize their own spiritual well-being, their position is divinely appointed, “overseers” (episkopos) implies one who protects the flock (linking to Luke 1:35’s “overshadow”), the church belongs to God through His purchase, and Paul warns against self-serving false leaders who seek personal gain and quick, superficial results (Hayford, 1991, notes on Acts 20:28-31).  

The Church as the Body of Christ

Ephesians 1:22-23 describes the church as the body of Christ: “And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.” Hayford (1991, note on Ephesians 1:23) underscores that this letter presents the church as Christ’s present, physical presence on earth, filled by the Holy Spirit to represent Him and minister His life. Matthew Henry (1994, p. 1664) comments that God has given all things to Christ, who is the head over all things for the sake of the church, entrusting Him with power to serve its needs. He further notes that the same power sustaining the world supports the church, Christ’s mystical body, which He undoubtedly loves and cares for (Henry, 1994, p. 1664). Henry also states that Christ “fills all in all,” supplying the needs of all members with His Spirit (Henry, 1994, p. 1664).

Colossians 1:18 and 24 reiterate this concept: “(18) And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. (24) Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body’s sake, which is the church.”  

The Unity of the Body

Ephesians 4:4-6 emphasizes the unity within the church: “There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.” Matthew Henry (1994, p. 1683) stresses the need for unity of heart within the one body of Christ, guided by the same Spirit, sharing one Lord (Christ), one gospel of faith, and one baptism as a profession of faith.  

1 Corinthians 12:12-13 further illustrates this unity in diversity: “For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.”  

Colossians 3:15 concludes with a call to peace within this unified body: “And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.”

References

Clarke, A. (n.d.). The New Testament of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ: With a commentary and critical notes. Abingdon Press.

Hayford, J. (Ed.). (1991). Spirit filled life bible. Thomas Nelson Publishers.

Henry, M. (1994). Matthew Henry’s study bible. World Bible Publishers.

Scofield, C. I. (Ed.). (1967). The new Scofield reference bible, holy bible. NY Oxford Univ Press.

Strong, J. (1990). The exhaustive concordance of the bible. Hendrickson Publishers.

Zodhiates, S. (1992). Greek-Hebrew study bible. World Bible Publishers.

Updated 2025.04.21

A Bible Study by Adam Osborne, Jr.

How do I know I am Saved?

Some people have asked me this question. How do I really know that I am saved for sure? They seem to doubting their actual salvation. Did God hear their prayers?

No need to doubt.

Is there any reason to doubt your salvation? Not if you believe in what you read in the bible. Did you follow and believe Gods word when you repented and asked him to enter your life, to save you from your sins?

Romans 5:8 “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”

It is that plain and simple. Christ died for us, for our sins. You do not have to feel “undeserving”, you do not have to worry if you earned it or not, you just have to repent and ask God to save you.

Romans 10:9-10 “That if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved; for with the heart man believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.”

Romans 10:11-13 For the scriptures says, “Whoever believes in Him will not be disappointed. For there is no distinction between Jew or Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call upon him. For whosoever will call upon the name of the Lord will be saved.”

1 John 5:12-13 He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

Mark 16:16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

Acts 16:31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.

Eph 2:8-9 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.

First, remember that God is faithful to you! He does not want you to doubt your salvation.

Deuteronomy 7:9 Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations;

Deuteronomy 4:31 (For the LORD thy God is a merciful God;) he will not forsake thee, neither destroy thee, nor forget the covenant of thy fathers which he sware unto them.

Psalms 105:8 He hath remembered his covenant for ever, the word which he commanded to a thousand generations.

Numbers 23:19 God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?

A “faith” problem.

Doubting your salvation is actually a “faith” problem. People want to be saved, they want to believe, but their faith is too week. Becoming saved is not hard, God has made it so easy. Once God has started talking to you through the Holy Spirit, and places the desire in your heart, all you have to do is follow his word.

Do you doubt your salvation? Do you need more “faith” in the scriptures and in God?

Do not feel alone..at times even the disciples lacked faith.

Luke 17:5-6 And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith. And the Lord said, If ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto this sycamine tree, Be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the sea; and it should obey you.

Matthew 8:26 And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm.

Matthew 14:31 And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?

Matthew 17:19-20 Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out? And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.

Building your faith.

Read God’s word daily to help build your faith. This is the main ingredient to a faithful walk with the almighty God. Also, read the “faith” chapter in the bible, Hebrews 11:1 – 40.

Romans 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Ask God for more faith. He has promised it to you, so just ask.

Matthew 7:7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:

Luke 11:9 And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.

Juke 14:14 If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.
Go to church, congregate with other Christians.

Hebrews 10:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

Ephesians 4:11-12 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

Ephesians 4:16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

1 Timothy 5:11 Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.

Your Assurance

The bible says in Romans 10:13 “For whoever calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved.” In Ephesians 2:8-9 God says “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast.

You don’t have to feel like you haven’t earned it, none of us have earned it. It is a free gift given by the grace and faithfulness of God. Rest assured, if you have called upon the name of the Lord and asked for salvation, then you will meet him one glorious day in the heavens.

Created 23 October 1998 – Updated 23 March 2024.