The universal church is made up of all the believers in Jesus Christ worldwide. The word "church" can be explained as of ownership and literally means “belonging to the Lord.” This Greek word is only used twice in the New Testament and is never used directly naming the church (1 Corinthians 11:20; Revelation 1:10).
The universal church is the name given to the church worldwide. The understanding of the universal church is not so much in the assembly itself but rather in those constituting it.
Now how should the church reflect her unity to the world through ecumenism? First of all, we must know that the church of Jesus Christ is one church. Secondly, spiritual unity of the believers of Christ should demonstrate love and fellowship among each other. Hence, despite of our differences, cooperation among the body of Christ is essential.
Indeed, there will be always disagreement and different opinions regarding some doctrinal understanding. Compromising of our belief and doctrinal teaching is not the best way to resolve tension and disagreement. Hence, we always need to learn to relate to each other rather than quick to refute.
In conclusion, ecumenical movement has helped the church to be united in a common task and purpose - world evangelization. However, the distinctiveness of our doctrinal teachings must be upheld and shall not be compromised. It is because despite of all the differences, there is always ONE thing that bridges us together: the love for God and people. Therefore, let the love of Christ fills our hearts all the days of our lives.
Christian Theology by Millard J. Erickson
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20 comments:
Hi Mun Chung,
Thanks for your sharing. Well, without the visible or local churches, there is no universal church - spirituality in a sense. I agreed with you that due to the different denominations having their dogmas of beliefs, there will always be disputes and disagreements. But if Muslims can declare or project such a unity of faith to the world, why can't we do the same? What then, is their 'recipe'?
Since we major on the goal of reaching to the lost, are you trying to suggest that we ignore the differences which can be the weakness.
Please give your views, thanks a lot MC.
Dear Mun Chung, thank you for letting us interact with you. What do you think of the evangelicals complain about the ecumenical movement being having too much activities on the social concern but not enough effort on evangelism.
Dear Jerome, I think the differences are usually the non-essential ones, we can still agree on the major doctrines about the salvation whether or not some parties speak in tongues, others don't
Jerome,
Actually, i am not trying to suggest that we ignore the differences. I think that it will be more appropriate to say we learn to understand one's theological distinctiveness rather than condemn and refute quickly.
to a certain degree, i agree that churches have to overlook some theological differences and to be united in reaching out. it is because we are part of the universal church.
Jonathan,
its a very interesting question. can you please give me sometime to study and reply you?
Freddie,
without the visible or local churches, there will be no universal church. indeed it is a very interesting statement. i was thinking how about we turn the statement the other way? if there is no universal church, there will not be local churches? do you think it makes sense to you?
hmm, i do not really have deep understanding on the religion of Islam. may be you can share with me in what ways that they projecting unity to the world?
now as we look back to Christianity in Malaysia, for instance, through NECF, churches have many opportunities to work together and be united. what do you think about this?
Is the Roman Catholic Church part of this so-called Universal Church? Why or why not?
Catholic means universal right?
"if there is no universal church, there will not be local churches?"
what talking you?
from what i understand by reading your post ("The universal church is made up of all the believers" and "The universal church is the name given to the church worldwide"), the universal church represent the local churches worldwide therefore the various churches form the universal church. And it cant never be the other way around as without the local churches there wont be a universal church, not without universal church, there wont be local churches as universal church is not an object but a symbol that represent the local churches.
example : father, mother and children form a family. the family doesnt form the members as the members comes first, then a family is form out of the unity of these members. without this individual members, there wont be a family. A family cant be form without the members. Therefore, you cant never say without a family, there wont be father, mother and children as its crazy illogical thought.
you said "do you think it makes sense to you?"
No, it doesnt.
Hi Mun Chung,
Thanks for the explaination, it is always easy said than done, to get the churches to come together as one is always not an wasy task. There is always hidden agenda behing it all. I believe this is due to misunderstanding of unity. We need to know that as followers of Christ we are trasformed in Him. This means we look at everyone the same as how Christ does. We will never look at one another as Malay, Chinese, Indian, African or whatever. We are all human created by God. This is what unity is all about.
Thank you.
Eunice
Islam is united,
Thanks for your comment and explanation on the universal church.
what you said is very true. in my blog i have clearly written that Universal church is made up of all the believers in Jesus Christ worldwide. In order words, without the local churches there will be no universal church. Totally agree.
The reason i posted this question to Freddie is to get a his opinion on the relation between the local and universal church.
thanks.
Is the Roman Catholic Church part of this so-called Universal Church? Why or why not?
interesting question. daisy, can u pls give me sometime to find the answer? thanks
or anyone wants to help me to answer daisy's question. you r most welcome to do so.
Dear Daisy, I should let Mun Chung answer your interesting question. Yes and no! Only those members of the Roman Catholic Church who are born again are members of this Universal Church. That's why many evangelicals are at odd with the Ecumenical Movement where RC is very involved in it.
Hi Daisy,
You are right that Catholic refers to Universal Church. The meaning of Catholic from Greek is "general" or "Universal". So the word Catholic refers to Universal Church of Christ which is the body of all saved people everywhere. This includes all those who have been redeemed by Jesus blood, have received forgiveness of their sins and been born spiritually in His family.
From the explaination above, if a Roman Catholic believe and practice all that have been said above than they should be part of the Universal Church.
This is what I could share from my part. I hope it answered your question.
Thank you and God Bless.
Hi! Can you please explain what is Ecumenism? It sounds so similar to Conciliar. What's the difference?
Meanwhile, I like what you said that in spite of our differences, the different denominations should work together for the purpose of evangelism. There is a place for working together, and then there is another for disputing doctrine. Hee.
Dear Mun Chung,
As much as you say the love of God should bring the churches together but we must still be cautious when coming together purely out of love as the word of GOD warns us in Acts 20:29 there will be wolves dressed as sheep's clothing who will come to destroy the flock of GOD.We must have love and discernment.
Hi Mun Chung,
This organizations like NECF are practicing a conciliar-form of united front with the objective of uniting churches especially the evangelical groups under a banner not only to present Christ but also to carry out the goal of evangelism. it is not a church itself. Secondly, in my opinion what holds the Muslims together; and to attend different Mosque every Friday without fear or worries is the universal approach to the teachings of Allah. The only thing that separate them is political issues. The apostles and our fore-fathers did try but to no avail. By the way, could you share your view on conciliar-form of church unity?
Dear Freddie, pls read my comments in yr blog, for there is no true unity among the Muslims, "same bed, different dreams!"
hey daisy
i agree with what Jonathan's opinion. as we know universal church transcends denomination. Roman Catholic church can be part of universal church when they have born again.
MC, you mentioned that we should overlook theological differences to reach out. I think this is difficult because ministry is essentially built upon the theology that we believe in
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