Christ builds His assembly
The church belongs to the Lord who purchased it, forms it, governs it, and preserves it.
White, gold & deep red · Volume 12
VOLUME 12 / ECCLESIOLOGY
The Doctrine
of the Church
The Identity, Order, and Authority of the Assembly Christ Builds
44 Chapters591 PagesKJV Scripture text
Explore this volume ↓THE CENTRAL QUESTION
What is
the church?
The church is Christ’s blood-bought assembly, body, bride, temple, household, flock, and pillar of truth.
This volume defines the church before describing its activities: its origin in God’s purpose, apostolic foundation, relation to Israel and the nations, universal and local expressions, membership, authority, government, officers, discipline, baptism, the Lord’s Supper, and marks of faithfulness.
“I will build my church.”— Matthew 16:18
THE DOCTRINAL BURDEN
Many images reveal one people
Body, bride, temple, household, flock, and priesthood disclose distinct dimensions of identity.
Truth orders the church
Apostolic foundation, authority, membership, discipline, government, and offices serve faithfulness.
Christ gives ordinances
Baptism and the Lord’s Supper visibly confess belonging, remembrance, unity, and hope.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
The journey
through Volume 12.
These chapters move from Christ’s promise to the marks by which a faithful church may be recognized.
- 01
Major burden:
- 02
Volume-specific balance:
- 03
Use prior volumes only by brief cross-reference where needed. Volume 8 treated the Holy Spirit; Volume 9 treated salvation; Volume 10 treated covenants; Volume 11 treated Israel. Volume 12 may draw on those foundations, but it must not re-teach them. The angle must remain the church.
- 04
Volume 12 should also remain distinct from Volume 13. Volume 12 defines the church’s identity, nature, structure, authority, offices, ordinances, and boundaries. Volume 13 will develop the church’s gathered life, worship, purity, discipline and restoration in practice, mutual care, spiritual gifts, evangelism, discipleship, missions, persecution, and faithfulness until Christ comes.
- 05
God’s attributes in this volume:
- 06
Scripture in this volume:
- 07
Relationship to Israel:
- 08
Relationship to Volume 13:
- 09
Part One — Christ Building His Church
- 10
I Will Build My Church
- 11
The Church in the Eternal Purpose of God
- 12
The Church Purchased by Blood
- 13
The Meaning of the Church as Assembly
- 14
The Church as Mystery
- 15
Part Two — The Formation and Foundation of the Church
- 16
Pentecost and the Formation of the Church
- 17
The Church Taking Shape in Acts
- 18
The Apostolic Churches in the Epistles
- 19
The Seven Churches of Revelation
- 20
The Apostolic Foundation
- 21
Christ the Corner Stone
- 22
Israel, the Nations, and the Church
- 23
The Church and New Covenant Blessing
- 24
Part Three — The Biblical Images of the Church
- 25
The Body of Christ
- 26
Christ the Head of the Church
- 27
The Bride of Christ
- 28
The Temple of the Holy Spirit
- 29
The Household of God
- 30
The Flock of God
- 31
The Priesthood of Believers
- 32
The Pillar and Ground of the Truth
- 33
Part Four — The Universal and Local Church
- 34
The Universal Church
- 35
The Local Church
- 36
The Visible and Invisible Church
- 37
The Regenerate Church and Mixed Assemblies
- 38
Membership and Fellowship
- 39
Unity and Diversity in the Body
- 40
Jew and Gentile in One Body
- 41
The Church and Denominations
- 42
Part Five — Christ’s Authority and Order in the Church
- 43
Christ’s Authority Over the Church
- 44
The Keys of the Kingdom and Church Authority
READ VOLUME 12
See the assembly
Christ is building.
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COMING SOON
The Doctrine of the Church
Volume 12 of 24 · 44 chapters · 591 pages