1. ECCLESIOLOGY: THE DOCTRINE OF THE
CHURCH
INTERNATIONAL BIBLE BAPTIST CHURCH,
BANGKOK THAILAND
SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON, JANUARY 26, 2014

2. INTRODUCTION
“Ecclesiology is the doctrine or study of
2) The Greek word “ekklesia
the church in its constitution,
means literally a “called out
ordinances, and activities, the last
assembly.” The word came
including both work and worship “
to mean a gathering or an
(Emery Bancroft, Christian Theology)
assembly of people and is
1) Our English word “church” is closely
usually used in the New
related to the Scotch word kirk, the
Testament to designate a
German kirche, and the Saxon circe,
congregation.
all of which probably came from the
Greek word kuriakon, a word used by
the Greek Christians to designate the
house of worship. The word kuriakon
is the adjective form of the word
kurios, meaning “Lord.” It is used
twice in the New Testament, once for
the Lord’s Supper and once for the
Lord’s Day (I Cor. 11:20, Rev. 1:10

3. It is employed for the
mission of the church is world
congregation of Israel (Acts 7:38) evangelization-the fulfillment of the
and an assembly of citizens
Great Commission.”
(Acts 19:39), but usually refers to 4) THE FOUNDING OF THE CHURCH
the local church, meeting in one Matt. 16: 16-18: The church was
particular place (Romans 16:5, I founded by Jesus Christ on Peter’s
Cor. 1:2; 16:19; II Cor. 1:1; Gal.1:2) confession that Jesus Christ was and
3) Definition: “The local New
is the Son of God, the Messiah, the
Testament church is the agency Christ, God Incarnate in humanity.
through which God has chosen to Our Savior did not build the Church
accomplish His work in this
on Peter but on Peter’s words.
dispensation of grace; that it is an
organized congregation of
regenerate, immersed believers,
voluntarily united together for
the purpose of worship,
edification, observing the
ordinances, fellowship, and
service; the true

4. A study of Matt. 16:16-18,
John 20:19-23, Matt. 18:18
will show one that Peter did
not receive a higher position
than the other disciples.
Many religions believe that
the church was founded on
the day of Pentecost when
the Spirit descended in Acts
2. But we Baptists believe
that the church was started
during the ministry of Jesus
before the Pentecost
because baptism, the Lord’s
Supper were already in
practice before the
Pentecost.
We believe that the church
was empowered on the day of
Pentecost. They had stated
places of meetings, Acts 1:13,
Acts 2:46, Acts 12:12. They
had stated times of meetingdaily- Acts 2: 46, each Lord’s
Day, Acts 20:7.The Lord was
the one who added to the
church: Acts 2:47.

5. BIBLICAL SYMBOLS OF THE CHURCH
1) Body: Christ is the head
of the body and we are
members of His body,
Col.1:18, Eph. 1:22,23;
Col. 2:19
2) Temple, building,
habitation or dwelling place
for God’s Spirit, Eph.
2:20,21.
3) Bride of Christ: II Cor.
11:2; John 3:29, Rev. 19:7

6. I. OFFICERS OF THE LOCAL
CHURCH
1) PASTOR (also called bishop
or elder)- pastor means
“shepherd”
(Ephesians 4:11), the Godappointed leader of the flock.
“Elder”was already an
established word among the
Jews and is used often in both
the Old and New Testaments.
Acts 11:30, 14:23, 15: 2,
4,6,22,23; 16:4.
“Bishop” means “overseer”
(I Tim. 3:1; Titus 1:7). These
three titles all refer to the
same office and are used
interchangeably in the New
Testament.

7. For example, Paul told the elders
in Ephesus that the Holy Ghost
had made them “overseers”
(bishops) and that they were to
“feed the church of God”(do the
work of a pastor – Acts 20:17,
28). Likewise, Peter exhorted the
elders to “feed the flock of God
which is among you, taking the
oversight thereof” (I Peter 5:1,2)
The Pastor can appoint other
offices like evangelists, teachers,
choir directors, deacons as the
need arises. Eph. 4:11, Phi l. 1:1,
I Timothy 3: 8-13, Acts 6.

8. ORDINANCES OF THE CHURCH
There are only two ordinances
mentions in the Scriptures: Baptism
and the Lord’s Supper.
1) Baptism: It is symbolic, it does
not save; it is done after conversion;
it is only by immersion; it identifies
the believer with Christ, it is
essential for church membership, it
is the first step of obedience, It is the
beginning of Christian service.
Matt. 28:10-20;Acts 2:41, 8:12,36-38
2) The Lord’s Supper: It is symbolic,
it does not save; it was instituted by
Jesus before He died; it is a
memorial service; The people
participating in the Lord’s Supper
must undergo cleansing usually with
prayer and fasting; Matt. 26:26-30; I
Cor. 11:23-32. The proper sequence
is first salvation>baptism>Lord’s
Supper
Acts 2: 41,42, I Cor. 11:27-30