THE CHURCH - WHAT IS IT?

What it is not.

1. The church is not a physical building.

2. The church is not a denomination. It is not and organisation.

There is no Biblical support for any of these ideas.

What it is.

The Bible talks about the Universal Church - all those who love and believe in Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour. It also speaks of the church in the city, or of the church in house. Here are some other Biblical revelations of what the church is.

1. The church is an assembly of people called out from the world to serve Christ. The Greek word for church, "ekklesia" means an assembly called out. The church of Christ is such a called out assembly whose purpose is to worship and obey Christ.

2. The church is the body of Christ. Ephesians 1:22,23 tells us this - "the church, which is His body." 1 Corinthians 12 describes the body of Christ. The church is the body of Christ on earth, through which Christ must be expressed and ministered to the world.

3. The church is the family of God. God is our Father. Jesus is our brother. Other true believers are our brothers and sisters in Christ. (Ephesians 3:14; Hebrews 2:11; Acts 15:32 and many others). A family is a place of acceptance, care, training, mutual help, love. So must the church be.

4. The church is the temple of God. Ephesians 2:20,21. This reminds us that we are set apart to God and must be holy for the Lord. Our bodies also our temples of the Holy Spirit. (1 Corinthians 6:19) and therefore must be kept clean so we can worship God acceptably (Romans 12:1,2).

5. The church is the army of God. God is a warrior, and we are called to fight. Ephesians 6:10-20 shows us that as part of the army of God we must put our armour on. 2 Corinthians 10:4 tells us we have weapons to use in our warfare. As an army there exists spiritual ranking, authority and chain-of-command. We must know our place in the army and know to obey both the Holy Spirit and those in leadership over us in our battle against Satan and his forces of darkness.

6. The church is the bride of Christ. (Ephesians 5:32; John 3:29; Rev. 21:9) The church is being prepared for the Lord for a great wedding in heaven. Christ loves us so much and we respond to His love as the church.

7. The church is the house of God. 1 Timothy 3:15 and Hebrews 3:6 tells us that we are God's house. God lives in us! God organises us. God puts his treasures in us! 

HOUSE CHURCHES

The early church met in the houses of people. (Acts 8:3; Romans 16:5 "Greet the church that is in their house." Colossians