The Church, levite, Origin and nature
The Church: The word church is defined differently by several people just suit of today’s Christendom, the word church emanated from the Greek’s word ‘ ekklesia’ ” ek” meaning out, kaleo meaning call. This implied that people in the church are call-out people. There , church may be viewed as a universal body of believers who were call out to serve God. Levites were among the called out consecrated separately for specific purpose. Math 16:18
Origin of the church
It was for an outstanding purposes
i. Fulfilling God’s perfect will
ii. Teaching God’s ordinances
iii. Keeping God’s commandments
Apart from the day of Pentecost where people were in assembly, felt with holy spirit, ( Matthew 16: 18), Jesus began the first call out when he called out his first discipline, ( John 1:35-51). Continuously, Jesus kept on calling others to follow his teaching, this then fulfilled what John came for, to prepare them, Jesus assembled them as Ekklesia.
a. God wanted it that way
b. John wanted it that way
c. Christ wanted it that way
d. Disciples wanted it that way and that is the way it was.
God said hear ye him, John said behold the Lamb of God, Jesus said follow me, then the church commenced the fellowship as Christian.
According to Elder Malachy Okokon, The origin of the church is entirely of God, man neither planned nor built it. However, church is the church of the living God, the church of Jesus Christ and the church of the holy spirit.
The Nature of the Church
As an assembly called out by Jesus, baptized in his name, received holy spirit, participated in worship, breaking of bread and shared their earthly possession ( Act2:47)
Apostle Paul explained the nature of nature of church as Christ being the head. The church obeyed the head as the leader and then exalted him as the risen Christ ( Eph. 1:22-23). The church is also viewed as a cornerstone.
Church is used to compare the love of Christ with that of the husband and wife.
In summary, Christ is the head of the church, the church is his body; Christ is the cornerstone of the church. The church is the building.
Christ is the husband of the church, the church is the bride. Therefore, the church should be identified as followers of Christ who emulate him.
Purpose of the Church
One of the outstanding purpose of the church is to manifold the wisdom of God. This is an external purpose realised in Christ. For effective manifolding of God’s wisdom is that all things shall someday be United in Jesus Christ for God had highly exalted him at the mention of his name every knee must bow and tongue must confess that Jesus is Lord to the glory of the father.
In conclusion, origin of church can be traced to God the Father, God the son and God the holy Spirit . The nature of Church is the body of Christ, the building of Christ and the bride of Christ. Purpose of the church is to make known the manifold wisdom of God, the heritage, the nature and what his destiny is all about. Above all, to do the perfect will of God.
The Levites: The word levite is name after Levi, one of the twelve sons of Jacob also called Israel.
Kohath’s son Amram was the father of Mirriam, Aaron and Moses. The descendants of the Aaron; the Kohanim ( Priest) had the special role as a Priest in the tabanacle in the wilderness and also in the temple in Jerusalem. The remaining levite ( Levi’yim in Hebrew), divdes into three groups, the descendant of Gershon or Gershonites, the descendants of Kohath, or Kohathite, and the descendants of Merari of Merarite each filled different role in the Tabernacle and later in the temple services.
The holy Bible had single out the responsibility of Levites and who they were in the old testaments. They were the men of all tribes of Levi, Num 3:6-14. Levites principal roles in the temple includes singing of Psalms during temple Services, performing construction and maintenance for the temple, Serving as guards and performing other services. Levites also served teachers and judges, maintaining cities of refuge in biblical time.
Levites perform the duties of singers, Choirmasters, instrumental musician as well as gate keepers at the temple. They were members of a priestly tribe associated with the priesthood as assistance. The following portions also spell out other duties of Levites Neh 9:4-5, 8:7-9
In Equipt, Levites were the tribes that were committed to God. During Exodus, Levites were particularly Zealous in protecting the Mosaic law in the face of those worshipping the golden calf.
The Levites were charged with responsibility of ministering to the Kohanim ( Priest) and keeping watch over the the Tabernacle ( Num. 1:1-6, 18:2-4).
To the prophets: the book of Jeremiah speaks of covenant with the Kohanim ( Priest) and the Levites, connecting it with the covenant with the seed of King David.
God promise to multiply the seed of David and Levite for the purpose of ministrying to him ( Jeremiah 33:22-24).
The prophet Malachi also disclosed God’s covenant with Levites who while walking with him in righteous way to turn others away from iniquity ( Malachi 2:4-6, 3:1-3)
Today, seeing ourselves as Levites implied that we are God’s children, called out for the an essential and specific duty. ( Num 3:12) therefore the Levites shall be mine. Similarly, they include the fore mentioned categories, choristers, ( singers), Choirmasters, and instrumental musicians. Levites are entitled to proceed from tithing in the church.
A Levites is expected to live a holy Life, a life that could please God, always be clean, pure in heart and separate yourself unto the Lord and not being a pretender ( Num 8:21)
