The Church as an Army

Simon Peter answered, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God!" And Jesus responded, "Simon son of Jonah, you are blessed because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father in heaven. And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the forces of Hades will not overpower it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth is already bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth is already loosed in heaven." - Matthew 16:16-19 HCSB

One of the first times “qahal”[1] is used in the Bible, it describes the assembly gathered to plan or execute war.[2] For example, the whole ‘qahal’ of Israel asked for tax relief and when their request was refused, they rejected their military obligations to King Rehoboam.[3]

We are here to fight a spiritual war and if properly based on the right concept of our Lord’s true identity, the ecclesiastical army is invincible! Christ said that the forces of Hades itself would be completely useless against her.

Although we are walking in the flesh, we do not wage war in a fleshly way, since the weapons of our warfare are not fleshly, but are powerful through God for the demolition of strongholds. We demolish arguments and every high-minded thing that is raised up against the knowledge of God, taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.[4]

Paul called Epaphroditus, Apphia and Archippus “fellow soldiers”[5] and urged Timothy to “share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.”[6] It interests me that Paul fleshed out that metaphor by immediately delving into submission to proper authority and following the rules,[7] two things that those who don’t feel they need to attend church pretty consistently struggle with.

As a Marine, I understand the power that a few well-trained, coordinated and committed people wield. Jesus understood that as well, focusing his attention on twelve good men (the size of a squad) but really working on Peter, James and John (the size of a fire team). However, He never intended them to stay that small, commanding his “force amplifiers” to go, make disciples, baptize and teach them everything.[8]

In order to ensure the faithful continuance of His teachings, He gave apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers[9] to the church. Until some appropriately gifted and called leaders are appointed a gathering of people is not a real church.[10]

Is a handful of soldiers an army? They can do a lot of damage – but are they an army? Then neither is a handful of Christians meeting in someone’s kitchen a church. Until they are properly organized and authorized they are nothing more than insurgents.

Those who fail to bring their parachurch activities under the authority of their local ekklesia do create a lot of damage. Unfortunately, it’s usually to the cause of Christ.

[1] Strongs’ #6951; literally “assembly”
[2] Genesis 49:6 cp Ezekiel 17:17
[3] 1 Kings 12:3
[4] 2 Corinthians 10:3-5
[5] Philippians 2:25; Philemon 1:2
[6] 2 Timothy 2:3
[7] 2 Timothy 2:4-5
[8] Matthew 28:19-20
[9] Ephesians 4:11-14
[10] Titus 1:5