Quote:
Originally Posted by Peter Debelak
Here's my best attempt at responding at least to a couple of your examples...
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I don't know if you are familiar with the messages on the church being an embassy of God's kingdom. But it sounds to me like you are saying anytime Christians assemble for the purpose of mutual edification they represent the Church.
The church represents the corporate experience of Christ and this is seen in any assembly of Christians where mutual edification is taking place, or where Christ is in their midst.
You might see manifestations of those serving even in a small group of three, and you might see evidence that Paul's ministry is given unto that group for their mutual edification. However, if this group grows into a hundred or a thousand their might be greater diversification of these roles and functions, but still at its root a corporate experience of Christ for the mutual edification of the believers.
Therefore, if you look at the meeting of 3 believers and see them submitting one to another you will see this same submission manifested in larger gatherings.
But then of course Jesus said "wherever two or three gather together in my name there am I in the midst". So why not define the church as a group of Christians assembling in the name of Christ where Jesus is in their midst?