The word translated "church" in
the Bible always comes from the Greek word "ekklesia" the roots of
which mean "called out," "Ekklesia" is used to describe a
congregation, a Christian community of members, assembly, church.
The church is the body of believers,
also referred to scripturally as saints, who respond to God's call in
their lives by living in relationship with Him. The church is
composed of those in whom God's spirit dwells. The Holy
Spirit is given at the time of committment to God in Baptism (Acts
2:38).
The church is called "the body of
Christ" in Colosians 1:24 and Ephesians 4:4, 12 & 16.
1 Corinthians 12 discusses spiritual gifts and the unity of the body
"by one spirit" (vs 13) and in verse 18 we're told that "... God has
set the members, each one of them in the body just as He
pleased." Verse 27 says, "...you are the body of Christ and
members individually."
The Church, the body of Christ, is
composed of those who really and truly respond to God's love by living
in relationship with Him. This Church or body is not limited
by man's organizational boundaries. "The Church" is not all
Catholic, all Church of Christ, all Baptist -- or whatever other church
organization one might consider. Those of all denominations
and not part of any denomination who truly live in relationship with
Christ -- who believe in Him and look to Him for salvation -- are part
of the body of Christ and make up "The Church" referred to in
scripture. The church is a spiritual organism, not a human
organization. Ephesians 2:19-22 refers to the church as the
"household of God...built on the foundation of the apostles and
prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, in whom the
whole building, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the
Lord, in whom you also are being built together for a habitation of God
in the Spirit."
Why the church?
The purpose of the church is that
Christians be built up in their relationship with Christ through
ministry to each other.
By meeting together to
worship, pray, study the Bible, attend classes, hear sermons, and share
personal experiences of God's action in their lives, Christians are
strengthened and encouraged to deeper faith. That is why
Christians are counseled in Hebrews 10:24-25, "And let us consider one
another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the
assembing of ourselves together,..." Christians are built up
in the church -- encouraged to use their spiritual gifts in service to
others. The church is a body composed of many
members, and all are needed for the body to function (1 Corinthians
12:12-27).
The Holy Spirit will lead Christians to
fellowship with each other. While it is true that going to
church will no more make a person a Christian than going into a chicken
coop will make one a chicken, it is also true that Christians will
fellowship with each other. There is no such thing as a solo
Christian -- a "just God and me" approach. God made us for
community with Him. The Church then is the community in which
Christians commune with God and with each other for the purpose of
building each other up and giving growth to the body.
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