THE FULLNESS OF CHRIST IN THE CHURCH
“That he (Christ) might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. (Ephesians 5:27)
“And the name of the city from that day shall be, The Lord is there.” (Ezekiel 48:35)
The following are the nine characteristics of a great church— together they constitute the fullness of Christ in His Church— “Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.” (Ephesians 1:23)
1) Great prayer
2) Great unity
3) Great fellowship
4) Great power -- great wonders + miracles
5) Great grace
6) Great giving
7) Great fear
8) Great Conversion
9) Great persecution
GREAT PRAYER:
“These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.” Acts 1:14
“And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.” Acts 4:31
“Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church. And he killed James the brother of John with the sword. And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. (Then were the days of unleavened bread.) And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people. Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.” Acts12:1-5
GREAT UNITY:
“And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one ACCORD in one place.” Acts 2:1
“These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.” Acts 1:14
“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments; As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the Lord commanded the blessing, even life for evermore.” Psalm 133:1-3
“And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are.” John 17:11
“I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.” Ephesians 4:1-6
GREAT FELLOWSHIP:
“And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.” Acts 2:42
“God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.” 1 Corinthians 1:9
“Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?” 2 Corinthians 6:14
“And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.” Ephesians 5:11
“That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.” 1 John 1:3
“If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.” 1 John 1:6-7
GREAT POWER:
“And with GREAT POWER great the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and GREAT GRACE was upon them all.” Acts 4:33
“Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.” Acts 3:6
“For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.”
1 Corinthians 2:4 And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:” 1 Corinthians 1:18
GREAT GRACE:
"And thence sailed to Antioch, from whence they had been recommended to the grace of God for the work which they fulfilled." Acts 14:26
"And Paul chose Silas, and departed, being recommended by the brethren unto the grace of God." Acts 15:40
“Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:16
GREAT GIVING:
“Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, And laid them down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need. And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus, Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles' feet.” Acts 4:34-37
“Speak unto the children of Israel, that they bring me an offering: of every man that giveth it willingly with his heart ye shall take my offering. And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them.” Exodus 25:2,8
“And they received of Moses all the offering, which the children of Israel had brought for the work of the service of the sanctuary, to make it withal. And they brought yet unto him free offerings every morning. And all the wise men, that wrought all the work of the sanctuary, came every man from his work which they made; And they spake unto Moses, saying, The people bring much more than enough for the service of the work, which the Lord commanded to make. And Moses gave commandment, and they caused it to be proclaimed throughout the camp, saying, Let neither man nor woman make any more work for the offering of the sanctuary. So the people were restrained from bringing.” Exodus 36:3-6
“And as soon as the commandment came abroad, the children of Israel brought in abundance the firstfruits of corn, wine, and oil, and honey, and of all the increase of the field; and the tithe of all things brought they in abundantly.” 2 Chronicles 31:5
“Then rose up the chief of the fathers of Judah and Benjamin, and the priests, and the Levites, with all them whose spirit God had raised, to go up to build the house of the Lord which is in Jerusalem. And all they that were about them strengthened their hands with vessels of silver, with gold, with goods, and with beasts, and with precious things, beside all that was willingly offered.” Ezra 1:5-6
GREAT FEAR:
“And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things.
“Surely his salvation is near those who fear him, that his glory may dwell in our land.” Acts 5:11
”Surely, he will soon deliver those who fear him, for his glory will live in our land.” Psalm 85:9
“The secret of the Lord is with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant.” Psalm 25:14
“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.“ Proverbs 9:10
“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.” Psalm 111:14
“But my servant Caleb, because he had another spirit with him, and has followed me fully, him will I bring into the land into where he went; and his seed shall possess it. Numbers 14:24
GREAT CONVERSION:
Acts 2:41
“Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.”
Acts 2:47
“Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.”
Acts 5:14
“And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.)”
John 6:44
“No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.” John 6:65 “And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father.”
Jeremiah 31:3
“The Lord hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.”
Titus 2:11
“For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,”
Acts 6:7
“And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.”
Acts 8:5-8
“Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them. And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed. And there was great joy in that city.”
In Acts 8 the conversion of the Ethiopian Eunuch
In Acts 9 the conversion of Saul
In Acts 10 the conversion of the Italian Centurion & the Gentiles
In Acts 16 the conversion of the Philippian Jailer
GREAT PERSECUTION:
"And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a GREAT PERSECUTION against the church which was zJerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles." Acts 8:1
“My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.” James 1:2-4
1 Peter 4:12-14
Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your he is glorified.”