DNA
is a scientific abbreviation for “Deoxyribonucleic acid.” the National Human
Genome Research Institute states that DNA “…contains
the instructions needed for an organism to develop, survive and reproduce. To
carry out these functions, DNA sequences must be converted into messages that
can be used to produce proteins, which are the complex molecules that do most
of the work in our bodies.”[1]
Just
like the DNA in the human body, we find that the church has DNA. Over the
centuries many individuals have attempted to alter the Churches DNA, and some
have even denied its existence. However, the reality is that the Bible is very
clear about the DNA of God’s Church.
Strongs concordance gives the following definition of the word church …
“The English word "church"
comes from the Greek word kyriakos, "belonging to the Lord" (kyrios).
1577 /ekklēsía ("church") is the root of the terms
"ecclesiology"[2] As I read through the Bible I find strong
evidence of the churches DNA, the foundation of which is found in creation, and
is seen all the way through to the coming of the KING.
I
see several intertwining parts of the church that make up the churches DNA. I realize that there are pastors, lay people,
theologians, scholars, and people in the pew that will disagree with my view of
the essentials of the Church DNA.
However, from my study of scripture, if a church is missing one the
following parts of the DNA, it has failed to be a true Church of Christ!
Growing
up in the Fundamentalist church in Michigan, we were taught the “7 fundamentals
of the faith.” the Assemblies of God whom I spent a number of years ministering
with have what they refer to as the “16 Tenants of the Faith,” and for a short
time I spent time ministering in The Southern Baptist Convention where they
list “28 beliefs in their statement of faith.”
The following list is mine; I can’t be accountable for anyone else.
So
what do I (Dr. Don Allen, Jr PhD) see as the DNA of the Christian Church
today.
I.
AN EXPECTANCE AND
TEACHING OF THE FOUNDATION DOCTRINAL BELIEFS
1)
INERRANCY OF THE
SCRIPTURE … Simply stated that the original scripture is without error, and
that through the translations over the generations we have learned the
foundational truths of Christianity.
2)
THE VIRGIN BIRTH
OF CHRIST (to the Virgin Mary) … Prior to having any other children, God
interceded in a young virgin’s life and blessed her with a child, who would be
the King of Kings, Lord of Lords, and the sacrificed lamb for our sins.
3)
THE CRUCIFIXION OF
CHRIST ON THE CROSS AT CALVARY … Christ died on the Cross for my sins, and that
he was the perfect sinless a sacrifice for my sin. This being due to the fact
that he had no earthly father (God was his father), and therefore was sinless
in his nature, or without sin.
4)
THE BODILY
RESURRECTION OF CHRIST FROM THE GRAVE ON THE THIRD DAY… HE IS ALIVE; he
conquered death, the grave, and Hell for my sins. In doing so he showed the
devil and the world that I can have a home in heaven.
5)
THE ASCENSION OF
CHRIST TO HEAVEN TO SIT AT THE RIGHT HAND OF THE FATHER … He is sitting in
judgement, and serving as my advocate. He is talking to the father and
reminding him that through his blood stained hands and feet, I’m forgiven, and
on that final day of judgement he will show once again that HE paid it all.
6)
THAT CHRIST IS
RETURNING TO EARTH (Referred to as the 2nd coming of Christ), and
there will be a Rapture of the Christians…. I know many deny it will happen,
but the reality is clear in scripture that Christ is coming back to earth to
claim his own (Those that believe in him as Savior), and at this point he will
pour out his judgement on the those that do not.
II.
FAITHFUL IN
PREACHING AND TEACHING OF THE “GREAT OR GOOD NEWS OF CHRIST”
1)
Sadly too many
churches have lost their voice in the world. They are focused on workshops,
seminars, retreats, encounters. They don’t preach as we were taught in Bible
College…“The Book, The Blood, and Blessed Hope”
III.
PRAYER
1)
The church has overall
lost its power of prayer. We are commanded to pray, to ask for his intercession
in our lives and the intercession in others’ lives as well. We are to pray for
the Kings, and world leadership (yes even a president we don’t like).We are
also told to pray for the pastor of our churches, and most importantly we are
to pray for the lost that they will see the truth and trust Christ as Savior.
IV.
WORSHIP
1)
I refuse and don’t
have time to debate the merit of only singing hymns in church verses using
contemporary courses. The foundational truth is that God told us to worship him
in Spirit and Truth. When I sing, which is taught throughout scripture, I bring
my heart and mind into his presence and lift up the name of Christ, the Holy
Spirit, and the Father and exalt them above every other religion or deity.
V.
EVANGELISM
1)
I loved the
Shepherd on Christmas morning saying “I got to tell someone about this.” Within
hours after the resurrection of Christ people were a buzz about what had
happen, they had to tell someone. Over the generations since the founding of
the church, it has been a part of the DNA of Christianity and the Church to say
“I got to tell someone.” Sadly, many churches have lost the drive to tell
someone. They don’t see it as a necessity; they don’t feel it is their
responsibility, and they don’t care if Hell is real or not.
Friends,
no matter what your mind set is regarding my list, the reality is that the Christian church has a DNA, and as a
whole we need to reclaim it. I know of denominations, churches, and individuals
that have denied that the scripture is infallible; I have heard highly
respected theologians and scholars state that they can find no evidence outside
to the scripture for the virgin birth, crucifixion, or the resurrection.
In
Conclusion ... The Christian Churches
DNA is not found in the opinion of man, it is found in the very fabric of the
Scripture, and the Faith it takes to accept the reality of Loving God who was
willing to send his Son (Jesus) to die, conquer death, and sit in judgement of
those that refuse to accept what HE has done for them.