The Church is a Body – Ephesians 1
(38 questions on the Bible Doctrine of the Church and the American application of that Doctrine with answers at the end)

For help in answering the questions, you may refer to Outline and Teaching on Ephesians.

Click here to go to Lesson 2
Added on March 20, 2017

Click here to go to the links to 14 lessons on Ephesians – a Local Church is a Body (Questions and Answers)

Click here to go to Bible Studies: The Doctrine of the Church

Answers follow the questions.
Those who disagree with anything please see the note at the end. Reasoned dialogue is encouraged and any Bible or fact based comments, if made in a Christian manner in an attempt to get to the truth will be considered.

1. The theme of Ephesians chapter 1 is that a church is a ___________.

Questions 2-7 below are from Ephesians 1.1 which says: “Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus:”

2. Paul says he is an apostle. An apostle is the highest ____________ a church has ever had.
3. A church today cannot have an apostle today because they cannot meet _____ ____________.
4. The requirements of an apostle are that: (a) The apostles received their commission directly from the living lips of __________. Paul made that claim. He said in Galatians 1.1, “_______, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead;)” The disciples named___________, but the word of God never states that Jesus made him an apostle. (b) The apostles saw the ______________ after His resurrection. Paul could meet that requirement. 1 Corinthians 9.1. (c) The apostles spoke directly with the Savior. Paul met that requirement. Acts 9.3-6. (d) They expounded and wrote Scripture. See John 14.26, 16.13; Galatians 1.11, 12. (e) They exercised supreme authority. See John 20.22, 23; 2 Corinthians 10.8. (f) The badge of their authority was the power to work miracles. Mark 6.13; Luke 9.1, 2; Acts 2.43. (g) They were given a universal commission to found churches. 2 Corinthians 11.28.

5. Paul rested his apostleship on the _________ of ______ rather than any personal ambition or will of ______ or request of a _____________. For more on this, see, e.g., Galatians 1.15, 16; 1 Timothy 1. 12, 13; 1 Corinthians 1.1; 2 Corinthians 1.1; 1 Colossians 1.1; 2 Timothy 1.1.
6. Paul addressed this epistle to the ___________ which are at ____________ and to the ___________ in Christ Jesus.
7. A saint is a ___________ and a believer is a ___________.
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8. In Ephesians 1.3-6, we learn that God the _______________ planned the church.
9. In Ephesians 1.7-12, we learn that God the _________ paid the price for the church.
10. In Ephesians 1.13, 14, we learn that God the ________ ____________ protects the church.
11. God the Father set ___________ “at his own right hand in the heavenly places, Far above all _____________ and ___________, and _____________, and _______________, and every ________________ that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: And hath put _____________ things under his feet, and gave him to be the _____________ over ____ _____________ to the ___________, Which is his ___________, and the fullness of him that filleth all in all.” Ephesians 1.20-23.
12. God clearly states in His word that He wants to be over _____ things to the church.
13. Which church in the New Testament was under any authority other than Jesus Christ?
14. What church in the New Testament went to any civil government for non-profit corporation and/or tax exempt status or for recognition, organization, favor, power, or any other perceived advantage?
15. Who provides the basis for non-profit corporation and/or Internal Revenue Code § 501(c)(3) status?
16. Who creates the corporate part of a church who is a non-profit corporation?
17. Who defines a non-profit corporation church?
18. Who is the authority or authorities over a non-profit corporation?
19. Who is over a church who is a non-profit corporation?
20. Is any church in America required by civil law to attain and receive non-profit corporation and/or Internal Revenue Code § 501(c)(3) status?
21. Does any civil law require a church to obtain non-profit corporation and/or Internal Revenue Code § 501(c)(3) status?
22. When a church asks for and receives non-profit corporation status, does the state of her incorporation become her authority for many matters?
23. If the answer to the last question is “yes,” will the authority allow Bible arguments in deciding the controversy?
24. What is the term for the relationship created by non-profit corporation status?
25. What is a non-profit corporation contract?
26. Which New Testament church in the Bible contracted with the state through incorporation and/or tax exempt status?
27. Who is the controlling party of the contract created between the non-profit corporation and the state of incorporation?
28. What rules come with 501(c)(3) status?
29. Who officiates over a dispute which a non-profit corporation takes to her state authority?
30. According to whose plan is a church who is a non-profit corporation operated?
31. To whom does a church who is a non-profit corporation report?
32. To whom does a church who is a non-profit corporation pay a yearly fee?
33. To whom does a church who is a non-profit corporation go for resolution of many matters?
34. What officers does a non-profit corporation have?
35. What are the only church officers authorized by the New Testament?
36. What New Testament church had any of the following officers: CEO, President, Secretary?
37. What New Testament church had corporate trustees?
38. Does corporate and/or 501(c)(3) or 508 status combine church and state?

Answers

For help with questions 15-38 click here to go to Separation of Church and State/God’s Churches: Spiritual or Legal Entities?

1. The theme of Ephesians Chapter 1 is that a church is a body.
2. Paul says he is an apostle. An apostle is the highest office a church has ever had.
3. A church today cannot have an apostle today because they cannot meet the requirements.
4. The requirements of an apostle are that: (a) The apostles received their commission directly from the living lips of Jesus. Paul made that claim. He said in Galatians 1.1, “Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead;)” The disciples named Matthias, but the word of God never states that Jesus made him an apostle. (b) The apostles saw the Saviour after His resurrection. Paul could meet that requirement. 1 Corinthians 9.1. (c) The apostles spoke directly with the Savior. Paul met that requirement. Acts 9.3-6. (d) They expounded and wrote Scripture. See John 14.26, 16.13; Galatians 1.11, 12. (e) They exercised supreme authority. See John 20.22, 23; 2 Corinthians 10.8. (f) The badge of their authority was the power to work miracles. Mark 6.13; Luke 9.1, 2; Acts 2.43. (g) They were given a universal commission to found churches. 2 Corinthians 11.28.

5. Paul rested his apostleship on the will of God rather than any personal ambition or will of man or request of a church. For more on this, see, e.g., Galatians 1.15, 16; 1 Timothy 1. 12, 13; 1 Corinthians 1.1; 2 Corinthians 1.1; 1 Colossians 1.1; 2 Timothy 1.1.
6. Paul addressed this epistle to the saints which are at Ephesus and to the faithful in Christ Jesus.
7. A saint is a believer and a believer is a saint.
8. In Ephesians 1.3-6, we learn that God the Father planned the church.
9. In Ephesians 1.7-12, we learn that God the Son paid the price for the church.
10. In Ephesians 1.13, 14, we learn that God the Holy Spirit protects the church.
11. God the Father set Christ “at his own right hand in the heavenly places, Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, Which is his body, and the fullness of him that filleth all in all.” Ephesians 1.20-23.
12. God clearly states in His word that He wants to be over all things to the church.
13. No church in the New Testament was under any authority other than Jesus Christ.
14. No church in the New Testament went to any civil government for non-profit corporation and/or tax exempt status or for recognition, organization, favor, power, or any other perceived advantage.
15. The state of incorporation provides the basis for non-profit corporation and/or Internal Revenue Code § 501(c)(3) status.
16. The law of the state of incorporation creates the corporate part of a church who is a non-profit corporation.
17. The state of incorporation defines a non-profit corporation church.
18. The state of incorporation through her courts (and maybe the Lord Jesus Christ for some churches in some matters) is the authority or authorities over a non-profit corporation.
19. The state of incorporation through her courts (and maybe the Lord Jesus Christ for some churches in some matters) is over a church who is a non-profit corporation.
20. No church in America is required by civil law to attain and receive non-profit corporation and/or federal (Internal Revenue Code § 501(c)(3)) tax exempt status.
21. No civil law in America requires a church to obtain non-profit corporation and/or Internal Revenue Code § 501(c)(3) status. On the other hand, the First Amendment to the United States Constitution and corresponding state constitutional provisions protect churches from civil government entanglement (corporate and/or tax exempt status). Churches must seek such status, of their own free will, from the civil government.
22. When a church asks for and receives non-profit corporation status, the state of her incorporation becomes her authority for many matters.
23. If the answer to the last question is “yes,” the state authority will not allow Bible arguments in deciding the controversy.
24. The term for the relationship created by non-profit corporation status is contract.
25. A non-profit corporation contract is an agreement between the state and the church.
26. No New Testament church contracted with the state through incorporation and/or tax exempt status.
27. The state is the controlling party of the contract created between the non-profit corporation and the state of incorporation.
28. What rules come with 501(c)(3) status? Five rules come with the status. I have listed and explained those rules in my writings.
29. A court of the state of incorporation officiates over a dispute which a non-profit corporation takes to her state authority.
30. A church who is a non-profit corporation is operated according to the non-profit corporation laws of the state of incorporation.
31. A church who is a non-profit corporation reports to the state of her incorporation.
32. A church who is a non-profit corporation pays a yearly fee to the state of her incorporation.
33. A church who is a non-profit corporation goes to the courts of her state of incorporation for resolution of many matters.
34. A non-profit corporation must have officers such as President, CEO, treasurer, etc.
35. The only church officers authorized by the New Testament are pastors, deacons, and elders.
36. No New Testament church had any of the following officers: CEO, President, Secretary, etc.
37. No New Testament church had corporate trustees.
38. Church corporate and/or 501(c)(3) or 508 status combines church and state.

Should you disagree with an answer given, please explain why you disagree in the comment section below the article. All reasoned comments will be published, perhaps with reply. The purpose of this website is the Glory of God. God cannot be glorified by shutting out honest disagreement in the search for truth. The author would be interested in your explanation. The comments are required by the website to be approved or disapproved. The author is very busy with many matters and may or may not immediately notice your comment. He will address it as soon as he notices it. He almost always approves comments presented with a godly spirit. He never alters comments. Sometimes, he replies to comments.