Envisioning the Ideal Church

by Robert C. Veil, Jr.

You can get a clear idea of the ideal church by viewing the congregations of the first century,
and correcting the shortcomings addressed in the inspired letters to them. The New Testament
abounds with both positive and negative teaching concerning the identity of the church, its nature,
its worship, its work or purpose, and its destiny. All of this, combined with the descriptions we
find of the first century congregations, gives us a beautiful composite of the ideal church. When
we study the attributes of the early congregations, we find the positive ones commended by the
inspired writers, and the negative ones rebuked for correction. Viewed as a whole, a clear picture
emerges of the Lord’s desire for His church.

1. The Lord’s church is a church founded upon Jesus Christ. “For other foundation can
   no man lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ,” (1 Corinthians 3:11). This rules out the
   many man-made denominations of our day, if one is looking for the ideal church. On the other
   hand, if one is looking for a social club, or a civic organization, or a strictly benevolent cooperative,
   it can be found in many of these groups. Many of them do a great deal of good, but they are not
   the Lord’s church, because they were not founded upon Jesus Christ.
2. Congregations of the Lord’s church are autonomous in nature, overseen by a
   plurality of elders. “For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things
   that were wanting, and appoint elders in every city, as I gave thee charge,” (Titus 1:5). This verse
   is followed by the inspired qualifications for elders, (Titus 1:6ff). “Obey them that have the rule
   over you, and submit to them: for they watch in behalf of your souls, as they that shall give account;
   that they may do this with joy, and not with [i]grief: for this were unprofitable for you,” (Hebrews
   13:17).
3. The Lord’s church is united and one. “There is one body, and one Spirit, even as also
   ye were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father
   of all, who is over all, and through all, and in all,” (Ephesians 4:4-6). It is not divided into splinter
   groups, the first church of so-and-so, the second church of so-and-so, etc., (1 Corinthians 1:10-
   17). In the Bible, we find that the congregations are named according to the places where they
   meet, (e.g. the church “at Corinth” or the church “at Ephesus” etc.). They are not named after
   doctrines, saints, or favorite Bible teachings.
4. The ideal congregation worships God “in spirit and in truth” by means of His
   authorized avenues of worship. “God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship in spirit
   and truth,” (John 4:24). You won’t find unauthorized acts of worship or unscriptural worship styles
   in the Lord’s church. The worship is orderly and respectful (1 Corinthians 14:40), and is
   participated in by each member (Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16).
5. The ideal church is busily involved in “good works.” “For the grace of God hath
   appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us, to the intent that, denying ungodliness and
   worldly lusts, we should live soberly and righteously and godly in this present world; looking for
   the blessed hope and appearing of the glory of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; who
   gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a people
   for his own possession, zealous of good works, (Titus 2:11-14). By definition, these works are
   work which are authorized for the church by the Lord, (Colossians 3:17). In the Bible, we find that
   these works are supported by free-will contributions of the members of each local congregation,
   not by car washes, bake sales, raffles, etc., (see 1 Corinthians 16:1-2).
6. The purpose of the Lord’s church is to faithfully serve and glorify Him. “This is the
   end of the matter; all hath been heard: Fear God, and keep his commandments; for this is the whole
   duty of man,” (Ecclesiastes 12:13). “Unto him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus unto
   [j]all generations for ever and ever,” (Ephesians 3:21).
7. The destiny of the Lord’s church is finally to spend eternity with Him in heaven. “I
   will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. He that overcometh shall
   inherit these things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son,” (Revelation 21:6-7)