What is Church?

[Chad]

Article by: gotquestions.org

Many people today understand the church as a building. This is not the Biblical understanding of the church. The word church comes from the Greek word "Ecclesia" which is defined as "an assembly,” or “called out ones.” The root meaning of “church” is not that of a building, but of people. It is ironic that when you ask people what church they attend they usually say Baptist, Methodist, or another denomination. Many times they are referring to a denomination or a building. Read Romans 16:5: "…also greet the church that is in their house..." Paul refers to the church in their house, not a church building, but a body of believers.

The church is the Body of Christ. Ephesians 1:22-23 says, "And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all." The Body of Christ is made up of all believers from the time of Pentecost until the Rapture. The Body of Christ is comprised of two aspects:

(1) The universal church is the church that consists of all those who have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 12:13 says, "For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit. For the body is not one member, but many." We see that anyone who believes is part of the body of Christ. The true church of God is not any particular church building or denomination. The universal church of God is all those who have received salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.

(2) The local church is described in Galatians 1:1-2, "Paul, an apostle…and all the brethren who are with me, to the churches of Galatia." Here we see that in the province of Galatia there were many churches - what we call a local church. A Baptist church, Lutheran church, Catholic church, etc. is not THE church, as in the universal church – but rather is a local church. The universal church is comprised of those who have trusted in Christ for salvation. These members of the universal church should seek fellowship and edification in a local church.

In summary, the church is not a building, or a denomination. According to the Bible, the church is the Body of Christ - all those who have placed their faith in Jesus Christ for salvation (John 3:16; 1 Corinthians 12:13). There are members of the universal church (the Body of Christ) in local churches.

 

[jiggyfly]

Great post Chad, this is a critcal teaching if we are ever to recognize what God has purposed in His Son, the Christ. If we do not know in reality what the Church is than we will fall prey to everything that is an imitation that comes our way.

 

[lindadc]

Interesting post Chad . Thanks .

May I ask a question ,please ?
When we attend mass in a church , that is called the local church right ? Some one told me 2 days ago ,that going to church is not important . The reason : We are the church .

I need some light on this matter . GBU

 

[Chad]

It is important to go to church, but not feel condemned if you do not go. The church is a place to fellowship, praise, worship, edify. What if Christians never joined together as "one body of Christ"? Where's the fellowship then?

 

[stephen]

Lovely post bro Chad.. We live in a time when these accepted and known truths, need to be repeated again, and again.

Let Righteousness Arise and blossom as a garden
Let faith begin to spring in every tribe and nation.

Proclaiming Jesus.......Jesus......Healer and baptiser and the Mighty God.......the victor and deliverer.....He is Lord.....He is Lord.....He is Lord

 

[SpiritLedEd]

Interesting post, Chad. Thank you. I get sad when I think of the fact that the "churches" Paul spoke of in Romans 16 were literally small group Bible studies that met regularly in peoples' homes. I'm sad because for so many years I (and lots of people I knew) had bought the idea that "church" was a building where one went every Sunday to attend a ceremony that, as a child and a young man, I didn't really understand and to listen to a sermon that often attempted to wheedle me into something I didn't care about.

How grateful I am now to sit under a pastor who appreciates the power and purpose of small groups. About five years ago, I stepped into my first small group meeting and was hooked. A small group that is centered on knowing and loving Our Lord Jesus and has anointed people leading it is what church is really all about. No more "11:00 o'clock sharp to 12:00 o'clock dull" for me.


SLE

 

[lou]

hmm!

CHURCH- a gathering of of born again christians praying and worshipping God ,church can even be just you praying to christ and talking to him. church in a biblical term is not a building! laura

 

[DrInGeNd]

What I've learnt is that the church is where you come and live out what happens in your "private time" with GOD. The time you spend seeking His face, learning more from the Word. You become equiped to minister to the people in the church, kinda like practice (showing GOD you are willing to be an instrument) and then when having the experience going out into the world and being His instrument to get to more people. So church is important!

You also learn in church because there is no way you would be able to learn everything you need to know on your own. We are all part of the body of Christ.

God bless all!

 

[4Jesus]

Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Jesus,

For me personally, the question is, Do I live in church and go to the world, or do I live in the world and go to church?

I can choose how much of the world I live in, and how much of church I wish to live in; accepting I am physically in this world, but spiritual not of this world.

I am closely connected with (not a member of) a nationwide group of born again believers, the truly committed of which actually live in church; it is their home. They have many homes which are themselves churches throughout the country. They follow the example of Acts 2 believers by having 'all things in common' and as result, like the Acts 2** believers, God has given and is continuing to give them phenomenal increase, miraculous signs and wonders and favour with the people. In one house (church) alone we have recently witnessed over 50 Iranian Shi'a muslims renouncing Islam and accepting the Lordship of Jesus Christ and being baptisted in water, The Holy Spirit and with Fire.


** A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. And all the believers met together constantly and shared everything they had. They sold their possessions and shared the proceeds with those in need. They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord's Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity-- all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their group those who were being saved. (Acts 2:44-47 NIV)

That is church for me.

Yours in Jesus

 

[cejetski]

Great post! The word church is still misunderstood by many. I did not understand until a few years ago this and many other truths. The only thing I disagree with is the comment "Anyone who believes is of the body of Christ". If this were true satan and his demons would be in the body of Christ according to James 2:19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. And Jesus cannot be divided according to Mark 3:23-26. Other than that it is great that someone has found one of the hidden 'nuggets' in Gods truth.

 

[SpiritLedEd]

Great post! The word church is still misunderstood by many. I did not understand until a few years ago this and many other truths. The only thing I disagree with is the comment "Anyone who believes is of the body of Christ". If this were true satan and his demons would be in the body of Christ according to James 2:19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. And Jesus cannot be divided according to Mark 3:23-26. Other than that it is great that someone has found one of the hidden 'nuggets' in Gods truth.

Two kinds of "belief" are cited in James 2:19: Spiritually based belief, which is accompanied by deeds, and demonic-type belief, which is based only on awareness of God's power and Lordship, which they still fight against..
Remember the account in Luke 4 of Jesus teaching in the synagogue at Capernaum?
"In the synagogue there was a man possessed by a demon, an evil spirit. He (the man) cried out at the top of his voice, 'Ha! What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are - the Holy One of God!'
'Be quiet!' Jesus said sternly. 'Come out of him!'. Then the demon threw the man down and came out without injuring him." (Lk 4:33-35).
SLE

 

[cejetski]

The word believe in James 2:19 in the original Greek is 'pisteuo'(strongs #4100). This word mean exactly the same thing both instances it is used in this scripture. The two types of believing comes down to simply believing on Christ or believing Christ. In John 7:31, it is recorded: "And many of the people believed on Him ..." But was believing on Him enough? Notice, beginning with John 8:30: "As He spake these words, many believed on Him. Then
Jesus said to those Jews which believed on Him, 'IF ye continue in my Word, then are ye my disciples indeed ....'" But they did not actually BELIEVE HIM! They believed ON HIM -- that He was a great teacher, as a man -- they believed on the PERSON -- like millions today. But they did not BELIEVE Him -- did not believe what He said -- His Message -- His Gospel. Later on the sought to kill Him.

 

[DanV]

The church building, where you honor and praise God in a congregational setting, is in deep trouble today. I say that with a knowledge of attending services in a number of denominations, for the purpose of research and evaluation, covering about eight denominations and taking a period of approximately eight months. I had visited each denomination approximately four times.

Here is my personal and unbiased observation:

Scripture Lessons, is given a very minor place, while the whole service is build around a Sermon with no real application to living as a Christian in today's world.

The Scripture Lesson, combined with the Sermon, seemed to place God's Word in the background, and the preacher himself, more or less, in the foreground. In other words, all attention seemed to be directed towards the antics of the preacher rather than what was was being taught.

Responsive Reading, in many cases, was used exclusively as a substitute for a Scripture Lesson. People were just reading off a program.

The Sunday Morning Church Service was not entirely used for Worship, Prayer, Thanksgiving and Praise to God. Instead, in a number of cases, music took up most of the hour. As a side note, I had witnessed some actually carrying a cup of coffee as they were seated in the pews.

Long prayers were noted in a number of denominations. This seemed to put the congregation out of the spirit of prayer. A number of short prayers, interspersed in other parts of the service, would, in my opinion, have been better.

I will say that now and then services of a special nature may require more than one hour of time. But for the regular church services, where the same people attend week after week and year after year, and listen to the same preacher, One Hour is long enough; all the more so because many of these same people attend other services the same day. Twenty Minutes for Congregational Singing; Twenty Minutes for Sermon Teaching; and Twenty Minutes for Prayers, Giving, Announcements, etc.

In conclusion, if every item of the service is thoroughly prepared, Singing and Bible Teaching be given the right of way, it could become a precious hour in the lives of the people attending. They could then take home with them a knowledge of how to live a powerful, fruitful and beautiful Christian life.

God Bless,

Dan
_________________

 

[jiggyfly]

The church building, where you honor and praise God in a congregational setting, is in deep trouble today. I say that with a knowledge of attending services in a number of denominations, for the purpose of research and evaluation, covering about eight denominations and taking a period of approximately eight months. I had visited each denomination approximately four times.
Here is my personal and unbiased observation:
Scripture Lessons, is given a very minor place, while the whole service is build around a Sermon with no real application to living as a Christian in today's world.
The Scripture Lesson, combined with the Sermon, seemed to place God's Word in the background, and the preacher himself, more or less, in the foreground. In other words, all attention seemed to be directed towards the antics of the preacher rather than what was was being taught.
Responsive Reading, in many cases, was used exclusively as a substitute for a Scripture Lesson. People were just reading off a program.
The Sunday Morning Church Service was not entirely used for Worship, Prayer, Thanksgiving and Praise to God. Instead, in a number of cases, music took up most of the hour. As a side note, I had witnessed some actually carrying a cup of coffee as they were seated in the pews.
Long prayers were noted in a number of denominations. This seemed to put the congregation out of the spirit of prayer. A number of short prayers, interspersed in other parts of the service, would, in my opinion, have been better.
I will say that now and then services of a special nature may require more than one hour of time. But for the regular church services, where the same people attend week after week and year after year, and listen to the same preacher, One Hour is long enough; all the more so because many of these same people attend other services the same day. Twenty Minutes for Congregational Singing; Twenty Minutes for Sermon Teaching; and Twenty Minutes for Prayers, Giving, Announcements, etc.
In conclusion, if every item of the service is thoroughly prepared, Singing and Bible Teaching be given the right of way, it could become a precious hour in the lives of the people attending. They could then take home with them a knowledge of how to live a powerful, fruitful and beautiful Christian life.
God Bless,
Dan
_________________

Sounds like you have been around the religious block DanV, me too. I praise God for delivering me from all of the traditons and religious liturgy. I see no need to attend a meeting that involves religious liturgy and a unscriptural clergy / laity system. The truth is no one need participate in any such meetings to maintain a growing relationship with the Godhead.

There's actually not much knowledge needed to live a life in Christ other than " deny self, take up your cross and follow Yeshua". It seems to me that certain men have complicated things by trying to mediate between God and His children, that is best left to Yeshua. After all Jesus said "come unto me" not go to senior pastor Soandso.