The Practical Expression of the Church

I. Based upon Revelation
A. The church life is in the realm of revelation - Rom. 16:25-26
1. The mystery of God is Christ - Col. 2:2
2. The mystery of Christ is the church - Eph. 3:3-6, 10
3. Revelation discloses the deep significance of the church - Rom. 16:25;
Eph. 3:9-11
4. Revelation comes through the Scriptures - Rom. 16:26
5. Revelation issues in response - Rom. 16:26
B. The Lord's power works according to the realm of revelation - Rom. 16:25; Eph. 3:9-11
C. The two main aspects of the church
1. The universal church
a) The churches of the Gentiles - Rom. 16:4
b) The churches of Christ - Rom. 16:16
2. The local church
a) The church in Cenchrea - Rom. 16:1; Acts 14:23 and Titus 1:5
b) The church in a house - Rom. 16:3, 5 (cf. 1 Cor. 16:19 Col. 4:15-16; Philemon 2)
II. Based upon receiving All Believers by Revelation
A. Receiving what God receives - Rom. 14:1-3; 15:7
B. Knowing one another in the realm of the new creation - 2 Cor. 5:14-17
1. Phoebe - "Receive her in the Lord" - Rom. 16:2
2. Prisca and Aquila - "my fellow workers in Christ Jesus" - Rom. 16:3
3. Epaenetus - "my beloved, who is the firstfruits of Asia unto Christ" - Rom. 16:5
4. Andronicus and Junia - "who also were in Christ Jesus before me" - Rom. 16:7
5. Ampliatus - "my beloved in the Lord" - Rom. 16:8
6. Urbanus - "our fellow worker in Christ" - Rom. 16:9
7. Stachys - "my beloved" - Rom. 16:9
8. Apelles - "approved in Christ" - Rom. 16:10
9. The houhold of Narcissus - "who are in the Lord" - Rom. 16:11
10. Tryphaena and Tryphosa - "who labor in the Lord" - Rom. 16:12
11. Persis - "one who has labored much in the Lord" - Rom. 16:12
12. Rufus - "chosen in the Lord" - Rom. 16:13
III. Based upon Assessing the Situation among the Saints
A. Addressing "all" the saints - Rom. 1:7
B. Caring for the level of life among all the saints - Rom. 14-15
C. Recognizing the various pockets or groups of believers
1. The church in the house of Prisca and Aquila - Rom. 16:3-5
2. The household of Aristobulus - Rom. 16:10
3. The household of Narcissus - Rom. 16:11
4. The saints with Asyncritus, et al. - Rom. 16:14
5. The saints with Philolgus, et al. - Rom. 16:15
6. Paul's rented quarters and his ministry - Acts 28:23-31
D. The principles governing the relationship between these groups
1. Taking the initiative to mingle with local saints
- ("Greetings" and "a holy kiss" - Rom. 16:3-16)
2. Building up communication with each other - Rom. 16:21-24
a) The example of Corinth being an expression of "the whole church"
- Rom. 16:23
b) The example of both the Jews and Gentiles in one church
- Rom. 16:21-23
3. Brotherly love - Rom. 16:16a
4. Turn away from divisions - Rom. 16:17a, 18
5. Turn away from those causing stumbling among the saints
- Rom. 16:17b, 18 (cf. Rom. 14:13-21)
a) Do not get involved with evil - Rom. 16:19
6. Let peace regulate relationships - Rom. 16:20; Rom. 14:19; Col. 3:15; Eph. 4:3
7. Presupposing and trusting the Lord's life in others - Rom. 1:12; 15:14-15;
16:1-2, 19a
E. Recognizing the different spheres in the Lord's work and the need for fellowship among all saints - Rom. 15:18-20, 25-32; 16:1-2; 2 Cor. 10;12-18