Video from Founders Ministries
"Tom Ascol has served as a Pastor of Grace Baptist Church in Cape Coral, FL since 1986. Prior to moving to Florida he served as pastor and associate pastor of churches in Texas. He has a BS degree in sociology from Texas A&M University (1979) and has also earned the MDiv and PhD degrees from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Ft. Worth, Texas. He has served as an adjunct professor of theology for various colleges and seminaries, including Reformed Theological Seminary, the Covenant Baptist Theological Seminary, African Christian University, Copperbelt Ministerial College, and Reformed Baptist Seminary.." from the website: founders.org
What is the Church Militant?
“The church militant” is a reference, primarily, but not exclusively, used by Roman Catholics, to the body of believers alive and in the world at any given time in history. The designation emphasizes the struggle of the church in all ages to advance God’s kingdom and defeat Satan’s forces.
The words of the 1865 hymn “Onward Christian Soldiers” by Sabine Baring-Gould is a good reminder of what it means to be “the church militant”:
Onward, Christian soldiers,
Marching as to war,
With the cross of Jesus
Going on before!
Christ, the royal Master,
Leads against the foe;
Forward into battle
See His banner go!
Refrain: Onward, Christian soldiers,
Marching as to war,
With the cross of Jesus
Going on before!
At the name of Jesus
Satan’s host doth flee;
On then, Christian soldiers,
On to victory!
Hell’s foundations quiver
At the shout of praise;
Brothers, lift your voices,
Loud your anthems raise!
Like a mighty army
Moves the Church of God;
Brothers, we are treading
Where the saints have trod.
We are not divided,
All one Body we—
One in hope and doctrine,
One in charity.
Crowns and thrones may perish,
Kingdoms rise and wane,
But the Church of Jesus
Constant will remain.
Gates of hell can never
‘Gainst the Church prevail;
We have Christ’s own promise,
Which can never fail.
Onward, then, ye people,
Join our happy throng;
Blend with ours your voices
In the triumph song.
Glory, laud and honor
Unto Christ, the King—
This through countless ages
Men and angels sing.
The militant imagery in songs such as this must not be confused with advocacy for theocratic governments or taking control of the world to institute Christian laws. In other words, it is not the counterpart to “militant Islam.”.." from the article: What is the church militant?
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