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Role of the Church in Revealing God's Character

God's character is primarily revealed through Jesus Christ, who is identified as the "Word" (Greek: Logos) in John's writings [1]. As the Word, Christ's office is to make God known, for "No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him" (John 1:18) [1]. This designation emphasizes Christ's divine nature and his role as the revealer of God's essence [1]. The "mystery of godliness" is great, for "God was revealed in the flesh" through Christ, "justified in the spirit, seen by angels, preached among the nations, believed on in the world, and received up in glory" (1 Timothy 3:16, Geneva 1599 and KJV) [3, 6]. Christ's mission was to reveal the true person of God, gather God's people, and instruct them in obedience, with the church being the result of this work [16].

The church, derived from the Greek word ecclesia meaning "assembly," is understood in the New Testament as the collective body of believers [2]. This assembly plays a crucial role in manifesting God's character to the world. The Apostle Paul describes the church as the "body of Christ," composed of many different parts, each with its own function determined by God [8, 9, 10, 13]. Just as Christ is one, so there is only one body of Christ, and allegiance to Jesus as Lord should transcend differences, leading to harmonious relationships within the church [11]. This unity in diversity is essential, as the church is meant to be a unified body where harmony and mutual care are paramount [12].

One significant aspect of the church's role is to showcase God's wisdom to the "unseen rulers and authorities in the heavenly places" [17]. This involves demonstrating the rich variety of God's wisdom as expressed in his plan of redemption [17]. The church, formed by both Jewish and Gentile Christians joined together in Christ, becomes a "holy temple for the Lord" because the Lord himself dwells among his people [14].

The church also reveals God's character through its commitment to holiness. Holiness is a command for believers, reflecting God's own character, and is necessary for worship and for seeing God [7]. Christ desires holiness for his people and serves as the ultimate example of it [7]. The gospel itself is presented as the "way of holiness" [7].

Furthermore, the church is described as the "pillar of the truth" [15]. This means that the church upholds and proclaims the truth of God, particularly the profound truth concerning Christ's person and work [15]. Through its preaching and teaching, the church makes known the "good message" (evangelion) of Christ's person and mission, which was the central fact of early Christian preaching [5]. This proclamation includes the understanding that God will judge the secrets of humanity through Jesus Christ, according to the gospel [4].

In essence, the church, as the body of Christ, is called to embody and declare the character of God, which was fully revealed in Jesus Christ. It does this through its unity, its holy living, and its faithful proclamation of the gospel, thereby making God's wisdom and redemptive plan visible to both humanity and spiritual powers [17].

Sources

  1. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Word, The — (Gr. Logos), one of the titles of our Lord, found only in the writings of John (John 1:1-14; 1 John 1:1; Rev. 19:13). As such, Christ is the revealer of God. His office is to make God known. "No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him" (John 1:18). This title designates the divine nature of Christ. As the Word, he "was in the beginning" and "became flesh." "The Word was with God " and "was God," and was the Creator of all things (comp. Ps. 33: 6; 107:20; 119:89; 147:18; Isa. 40:8).”
  2. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Church — Derived probably from the Greek kuriakon (i.e., "the Lord's house"), which was used by ancient authors for the place of worship. In the New Testament it is the translation of the Greek word ecclesia, which is synonymous with the Hebrew kahal of the Old Testament, both words meaning simply an assembly, the character of which can only be known from the connection in which the word is found. There is no clear instance of its being used for a place of meeting or of worship, although in post-apostolic times it early received this meaning. Nor is this word ever us”
  3. I Timothy “I Timothy 3:16 (Geneva1599) — And without controuersie, great is the mysterie of godlinesse, which is, God is manifested in the flesh, iustified in the Spirit, seene of Angels, preached vnto the Gentiles, beleeued on in the world, and receiued vp in glorie.”
  4. King James Version “[KJV] Romans 2:16 — In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.”
  5. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Gospels — The central fact of Christian preaching was the intelligence that the Saviour had come into the world (Matt. 4:23; Rom. 10:15); and the first Christian preachers who called their account of the person and mission of Christ by the term evangelion_ (= good message) were called _evangelistai (= evangelists) (Eph. 4:11; Acts 21:8). There are four historical accounts of the person and work of Christ: "the first by Matthew, announcing the Redeemer as the promised King of the kingdom of God; the second by Mark, declaring him a prophet, mighty in deed and word'; th”
  6. 1 Timothy “Without controversy, the mystery of godliness is great: God was revealed in the flesh, justified in the spirit, seen by angels, preached among the nations, believed on in the world, and received up in glory. -- 1 Timothy 3:16”
  7. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Holiness — Commanded -- Le 11:45; 20:7; Eph 5:8; Col 3:12; Ro 12:1. Christ Desires for his people. -- Joh 17:17. Effects, in his people. -- Eph 5:25-27. An example of. -- Heb 7:26; 1Pe 2:21,22. The character of God, the standard of -- Le 19:2; 1Pe 1:15,16; Eph 5:1. The character of Christ, the standard of -- Ro 8:29; 1Jo 2:6; Php 2:5. The gospel the way of -- Isa 35:8. Necessary to God's worship -- Ps 24:3,4. None shall see God without -- Eph 5:5; Heb 12:14. Saints Elected to. -- Ro 8:29; Eph 1:4. Called to. -- 1Th 4:7; 2Ti 1:9. New created in. -- Eph 4:24. Possess. ”
  8. 1 Corinthians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Corinthians 12:12: 12:12-31 The church is like a body (see 12:27) composed of many different parts, each with its own function as determined by God (see 12:11, 18, 28; Rom 12:4-5).”
  9. 1 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Corinthians 12:27: members in particular--that is, severally members of it. Each church is in miniature what the whole aggregate of churches is collectively, "the body of Christ" (compare Co1 3:16): and its individual components are members, every one in his assigned place.”
  10. 1 Corinthians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 Corinthians 12:20: But now are they many members,.... Of different make and shape, in different parts and places, and of different use and service: yet but one body; all are united together, and make up one complete body, and which without each of them would not be perfect: so there are many members in the body of Christ, the church; some are teachers, others are hearers; some give, and others receive; but all make up but one church, of which Christ is the head; nor can anyone of them be spared; was anyone wanting, even the meanest, there would be a deficiency, and the church ”
  11. Colossians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Colossians 3:15: 3:15 Just as Christ is one, so there can be only one body of Christ (see 1:18; Eph 4:4-6). Allegiance to Jesus as Lord must transcend differences and will result in peace (harmonious relationships).”
  12. 1 Corinthians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Corinthians 12:25: 12:25-26 The church is a unified body, so harmony and care for each other in the church is essential.”
  13. 1 Corinthians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 1 Corinthians 12:14: For the body is not one member - The mystical body, the Church, as well as the natural body, is composed of many members.”
  14. Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 2:21: 2:21 Joined together in Christ, Gentile and Jewish Christians become a holy temple for the Lord, because the Lord himself is among his people (see Matt 18:20; 28:20; 1 Cor 3:16; 1 Pet 2:4-5).”
  15. 1 Timothy (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Timothy 3:16: And--following up Ti1 3:15 : The pillar of the truth is the Church in which thou art required to minister; "AND (that thou mayest know how grand is that truth which the Church so upholds) confessedly (so the Greek for 'without controversy') great is the mystery of godliness: (namely), HE WHO (so the oldest manuscripts and versions read for 'God') was manifested in (the) flesh (He who) was justified in the Spirit," &c. There is set before us the whole dignity of Christ's person. If He were not essentially superhuman (Tit 2:13), how could the apostle ”
  16. John (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on John 17:6: 17:6 This verse summarizes Christ’s mission. He revealed the true person of God to the world, gathered up God’s people into his flock, and instructed them in obedience. The result of this work is the church.”
  17. Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 3:10: 3:10 The church is meant to showcase to the entire universe God’s wisdom in its rich variety, as expressed in his plan of redemption (see Rom 11:33-36). • the unseen rulers and authorities in the heavenly places: See Eph 1:21 and corresponding study note.”
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