Swahil and English Teachings on Church.

Doctrine of the Church.

Doctrine of the Church – Teaching Outline

1. The Nature of the Church

a. Definition

  • The term church (Greek ekklesia) means “those called out.”
  • Refers to the assembly of people called by God to belong to Him.

b. Two Aspects

  • Invisible Church: All true believers, past, present, and future (Ephesians 1:4; John 10:14-16).
  • Visible Church: The local and global assembly of professing believers and their children (Acts 2:39; 1 Corinthians 1:2).

2. Biblical Images of the Church

a. The Body of Christ (Romans 12:4-5; 1 Corinthians 12:12-27)

  • Christ is the Head.
  • Members are united and function together.

b. The Bride of Christ (Ephesians 5:25-27; Revelation 19:7-9)

  • Loved, cleansed, and prepared for Christ.

c. The Temple of God (Ephesians 2:20-22; 1 Corinthians 3:16)

  • Indwelt by the Holy Spirit.
  • Built on the foundation of Christ.

d. The Household of God (1 Timothy 3:15; Galatians 6:10)

  • A spiritual family under God’s care.

3. The Purpose of the Church

  • To glorify God in worship and holiness (Ephesians 3:21).
  • To preach the gospel and make disciples (Matthew 28:18-20).
  • To edify and build up believers (Ephesians 4:11-16).
  • To bear witness to the truth (1 Timothy 3:15).
  • To manifest the manifold wisdom of God (Ephesians 3:10).

4. The Means of Grace

These are the outward and ordinary means by which Christ communicates to us the benefits of redemption:

a. The Word

  • Preached faithfully (Romans 10:14-17; 2 Timothy 4:2).
  • Received with faith and obedience.

b. The Sacraments

  • Baptism: Entry into covenant community; sign of union with Christ (Matthew 28:19; Romans 6:3-5).
  • The Lord’s Supper: Ongoing nourishment in Christ; communion with Him and the body (1 Corinthians 11:23-29).

c. Prayer

  • Public and private prayer (Acts 2:42; Ephesians 6:18).
  • Communion with God, intercession for others, and corporate unity.

5. Church Membership

a. Who May Join

  • Professing believers who show evidence of faith and repentance.
  • Their children, who are covenant members (Acts 2:39).

b. What Is Required

  • Baptism (Matthew 28:19).
  • Regular participation in worship and fellowship (Hebrews 10:24-25).
  • Submission to church leadership and discipline (Hebrews 13:17).

6. Church Government

a. Biblical Model: Eldership

  • Leadership by a plurality of elders (Acts 14:23; Titus 1:5).
  • Supported by deacons who serve the church (Acts 6:1-6).

b. Offices of the Church

i. Elders (Presbyters, Overseers)

  • Duties:
    • Preach and teach (1 Timothy 3:2).
    • Shepherd the flock (1 Peter 5:1-4).
    • Exercise spiritual oversight and discipline (Acts 20:28; Titus 1:9).
  • Qualifications (1 Timothy 3:1–7; Titus 1:5–9):
    • Above reproach, sober-minded, able to teach, spiritually mature.

ii. Deacons

  • Duties:
    • Administer the practical and material needs of the church (Acts 6:1-6).
  • Qualifications (1 Timothy 3:8–13):
    • Dignified, faithful, not greedy, managing their homes well.

7. Church Discipline

a. Purpose

  • To preserve the purity of the church (1 Corinthians 5:6-7).
  • To restore the sinner (Galatians 6:1).
  • To protect the name of Christ (Matthew 5:14-16).

b. Process (Matthew 18:15–17)

  1. Private correction.
  2. Small group confrontation.
  3. Church-wide involvement.
  4. Excommunication if unrepentant (1 Corinthians 5:1-13).

c. Spirit of Discipline

  • Always in love, humility, and hope of restoration (2 Thessalonians 3:14-15).

8. Ordinances (Sacraments)

a. Baptism

  • Commanded by Christ (Matthew 28:19).
  • Administered to believers and their children as a sign of entrance into the covenant community (Acts 2:38–39).

b. The Lord’s Supper

  • Instituted by Christ (1 Corinthians 11:23–26).
  • A means of remembering, proclaiming, and communing with Christ.
  • For believers who examine themselves and come in faith.

9. Worship in the Church

  • Must be according to God's Word (John 4:24; Deuteronomy 12:32).
  • Elements include:
    • Reading and preaching of Scripture.
    • Prayer.
    • Singing Psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs (Ephesians 5:19).
    • Sacraments.
    • Giving.

10. The Future of the Church

  • Christ will build His church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it (Matthew 16:18).
  • The church will be presented to Christ as a pure bride (Ephesians 5:27).
  • In the New Heavens and Earth, the church will dwell forever with God (Revelation 21:2-4).

KISWAHILI 

Mafundisho ya Kanisa – Mpangilio wa Mafundisho ya Darasani

1. Asili ya Kanisa

a. Maana

  • Neno kanisa (kwa Kigiriki ekklesia) linamaanisha “waliyoitwa kutoka nje.”
  • Linahusu mkusanyiko wa watu waliyoitwa na Mungu wawe wake.

b. Vipengele Viwili

  • Kanisa lisiloonekana: Wale wote walioamini kwa kweli, wa zamani, wa sasa, na wa baadaye (Waefeso 1:4; Yohana 10:14-16).
  • Kanisa linaloonekana: Mkusanyiko wa waumini wanaokiri imani na watoto wao (Matendo 2:39; 1 Wakorintho 1:2).

2. Mifano ya Kibiblia ya Kanisa

a. Mwili wa Kristo (Warumi 12:4-5; 1 Wakorintho 12:12-27)

  • Kristo ni Kichwa.
  • Waamini ni viungo vinavyofanya kazi kwa pamoja.

b. Bibi Arusi wa Kristo (Waefeso 5:25-27; Ufunuo 19:7-9)

  • Anapendwa, anasafishwa, na kuandaliwa kwa ajili ya Kristo.

c. Hekalu la Mungu (Waefeso 2:20-22; 1 Wakorintho 3:16)

  • Hukaliwa na Roho Mtakatifu.
  • Limejengwa juu ya msingi wa Kristo.

d. Nyumba ya Mungu (1 Timotheo 3:15; Wagalatia 6:10)

  • Familia ya kiroho chini ya uongozi wa Mungu.

3. Kusudi la Kanisa

  • Kumtukuza Mungu kwa ibada na utakatifu (Waefeso 3:21).
  • Kuhubiri injili na kufanya wanafunzi (Mathayo 28:18-20).
  • Kujenga na kuimarisha waamini (Waefeso 4:11-16).
  • Kushuhudia kweli ya Mungu (1 Timotheo 3:15).
  • Kudhihirisha hekima ya Mungu (Waefeso 3:10).

4. Njia za Neema

Njia ambazo Kristo huwajalia waamini baraka za wokovu wake:

a. Neno la Mungu

  • Hubiriwa kwa uaminifu (Warumi 10:14-17; 2 Timotheo 4:2).
  • Hupokelewa kwa imani na utii.

b. Sakramenti

  • Ubatizo: Ishara ya kuingizwa katika agano la Mungu (Mathayo 28:19; Warumi 6:3-5).
  • Meza ya Bwana: Kula na kunywa kwa imani pamoja na Kristo na kanisa (1 Wakorintho 11:23-29).

c. Sala

  • Sala ya pamoja na binafsi (Matendo 2:42; Waefeso 6:18).
  • Mawasiliano na Mungu, maombezi, na ushirika wa kiroho.

5. Uanachama wa Kanisa

a. Nani Anaweza Kujiunga

  • Wale wanaokiri imani kwa Kristo na kuonyesha toba ya kweli.
  • Watoto wa waamini, kama sehemu ya agano (Matendo 2:39).

b. Masharti

  • Wamebatizwa (Mathayo 28:19).
  • Kushiriki ibada na ushirika mara kwa mara (Waebrania 10:24-25).
  • Kujitiisha kwa uongozi na nidhamu ya kanisa (Waebrania 13:17).

6. Utawala wa Kanisa

a. Mfumo wa Kibiblia: Wazee

  • Uongozi wa wazee wengi (Matendo 14:23; Tito 1:5).
  • Diakoni huwasaidia kwa mahitaji ya kimwili (Matendo 6:1-6).

b. Maafisa wa Kanisa

i. Wazee (Wasimamizi)

  • Majukumu:
    • Kuhubiri na kufundisha (1 Timotheo 3:2).
    • Kuchaunga kondoo wa Mungu (1 Petro 5:1-4).
    • Kusimamia roho na nidhamu ya waumini (Matendo 20:28; Tito 1:9).
  • Sifa (1 Timotheo 3:1–7; Tito 1:5–9):
    • Bila lawama, mwenye kiasi, aweza kufundisha, mwenye maisha safi.

ii. Diakoni

  • Majukumu:
    • Kushughulikia mahitaji ya huduma ya kimwili (Matendo 6:1-6).
  • Sifa (1 Timotheo 3:8–13):
    • Mwenye heshima, mwaminifu, asiye na tamaa, mwenye nidhamu nyumbani.

7. Nidhamu ya Kanisa

a. Kusudi

  • Kutunza utakatifu wa kanisa (1 Wakorintho 5:6-7).
  • Kumrejesha mwenye dhambi (Wagalatia 6:1).
  • Kulinda heshima ya jina la Kristo (Mathayo 5:14-16).

b. Hatua (Mathayo 18:15–17)

  1. Kumkemea binafsi.
  2. Kumwendea na mashahidi.
  3. Kuliletea kanisa.
  4. Kutengwa ikiwa hatatubu (1 Wakorintho 5:1-13).

c. Roho ya Nidhamu

  • Inapaswa kufanywa kwa upendo, unyenyekevu, na nia ya kumrejesha (2 Wathesalonike 3:14-15).

8. Sakramenti za Kanisa

a. Ubatizo

  • Amri ya Kristo (Mathayo 28:19).
  • Hufanywa kwa waamini na watoto wao kama ishara ya kuwa katika agano (Matendo 2:38–39).

b. Meza ya Bwana

  • Ilianzishwa na Kristo (1 Wakorintho 11:23–26).
  • Njia ya ukumbusho, ushirika na Kristo, na kudhihirisha imani.
  • Kwa waamini wanaojichunguza na kuja kwa imani.

9. Ibada ya Kanisa

  • Iwe kwa kufuata Neno la Mungu (Yohana 4:24; Kumbukumbu 12:32).
  • Vipengele vya ibada:
    • Kusoma na kuhubiri Maandiko.
    • Sala.
    • Kuimba Zaburi na nyimbo za kiroho (Waefeso 5:19).
    • Sakramenti.
    • Kutoa sadaka.

10. Hatima ya Kanisa

  • Kristo atajenga Kanisa lake, na milango ya kuzimu haitalishinda (Mathayo 16:18).
  • Kanisa litaandaliwa kama bibi arusi safi kwa Kristo (Waefeso 5:27).
  • Katika Mbingu Mpya na Dunia Mpya, kanisa litaishi na Mungu milele (Ufunuo 21:2-4).

KENNTH MALENGE

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