The doctrine of the church in Philippians

While looking for teachings regarding the work of the church in the book of Philippians it became evident that there are two sides to this coin.  Since the church is made up of individual Christians, it is difficult to divide instructions into separate categories for whether they apply to the corporate body or to each individual believer.

I think it is the case that for most instructions they can equally fall into both categories, which I find interesting, since I think that most people (at least I do) think ‘How can I apply this as an individual’ when reading Paul’s instructions.  We don’t often ask the question how should I participate with my local congregation to obey and live out these teachings. 

For that reason as I read through Philippians again today I asked myself how is the church to live this out, instead of how am I to live this out? 

In 1:1 we learn that members of the church are ‘saints’

In 1:1 we also learn of two offices within the church, ‘overseers’ and ‘deacons’.

In 1:5 we learn that the church was a partner with Paul in the gospel

In 1:7 we learn that the church is a partaker with Paul of grace in imprisonment and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel

In 1:9 we learn that the church is to abound in love with knowledge and all discernment

In 1:10 we learn that the church is to approve what is excellent and be pure and blameless, filled with the fruit of righteousness

In 1:14 we learn the church is to be confident in the face of opposition

In 1:14 we also learn that the church is to speak the word without fear

In 1:15 we learn that the church is to preach \ proclaim Christ out of love

In 1:19 we learn the church is to pray for the needs of others

In 1:27 we learn that the church is to conduct itself worthy of the gospel of Christ, firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel, and not frightened in anything by opponents

In 2:2 we learn the church is to be single minded, full of love and fully united.

In 2:5 we learn that the church should have the same mind as Christ

In 2:11 we learn that the church’s confession should be that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of the Father

In 2:15 we learn that the church is a light to the world

In 2:16 we learn that the church is to hold fast to the word of life

In 2:18 we learn that the church is to be glad and rejoice

In 2:22 we learn how Timothy (a church overseer) proved his worth in contrast to others who sought their own interest and not the interests of Jesus Christ

In 2:29 we learn that the church is to receive fellow workers in the Lord with joy and honour

In 3:2 we learn that the church is to look out for false teachers

In 3:3 we learn that the church is the ‘circumcision’ who worship by the Spirit of God and put no confidence in the flesh

In 3:16 we learn that the church is to hold true to what it has already attained

In 3:17 we lean that the church is to imitate Paul and keep their eyes on those who walk according to his example

In 3:20 we lean that the church has its citizenship in heaven

In 4:1 we learn that the church it to stand firm in the Lord

In 4:6 we learn that the church  is to make prayer and supplication with thanksgiving

In 4:15 we learn that the church is to partner in giving and receiving to the needs of fellow workers