The Christian church is not a physical building. But christians gather together in a physical building sometimes referred to as a house or place of worship. The word church is derived from the Greek word “ekklesia,” which means “an assembly” or “called out ones from the world,” those who have been saved by God’s infinite grace.
First, there is the local church that serves the community where it is located. Then there is the “church worldwide,” which consists of all local churches. Weekly church services and other spiritual activities are convened in the local church regardless of denomination.
The Bible teaches that the church is the “body of Jesus Christ” of which He is the Head. Writing to the church at Ephesus, the apostle Paul states ”And God put all things 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” (Ephesians 1:22,23). This clearly demonstrates the very close relationship between Christ and His church. This is also confirmed by the fact that “Christ loved the church and gave Himself for it” (Ephesians 5:25).
So then, the church consists of all “born again” believers in the Lord Jesus Christ. The church came into existence on the day of Pentecost and will continue until Christ’s second advent. It cannot be overemphasized that only those who have repented of their sins and placed their faith in Jesus Christ for salvation is a member of the body of Christ. Paul wrote, “To the church of God that is in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints” (1 Corinthians 1:2). And again, “Now you are the body of Christ, and individually members of it” (1 Corinthians 12:27).
Just as the human body is a single “unit” yet it consists of a diversity of many parts and functions;; so does the church as the body of Christ. Paul writes, “For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in one Spirit we are all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit. For the body does not consist of one member but of many” (1 Corinthians 12:12-14).
It is therefore understood that each of the many members of the body, though different one from the other, is united to the obedience of Jesus Christ. It is actually the “baptism of the Holy Spirit that places all believers in the church. “For in one Spirit we are all baptized into one body” (1 Corinthians 12:13). This verse also states “and all were made to drink of one Spirit,” which seems to indicate that the Holy Spirit also teaches, guides, and helps believers to live the christian life.
Christ is not only the head of the church, the church also belongs to Him. He declared His ownership to the apostle Peter when He said, “And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18). The church must also submit to Christ (Ephesians 5:24).
The main objective of the local church is to reach people in the community with the good news that Christ died for their sins, and how they can be saved by God’s grace alone, through faith alone, and in Christ alone. And grow “in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18).
The local church is absolutely essential to the plans and purposes of Christ, which include to “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19) In the local church the gospel is spread in communities and neighborhoods. And through the combined efforts of the local church, God accomplishes His mission worldwide. In the local church, members are endowed with spiritual gifts or enablements for a variety of church ministries.
Paul identifies these gifts and their purposes. He writes: “And He [Christ] gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds, and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ” (Ephesians 4:11,12). The local church inspires believers to become all they can be for the glory of God, and live spiritually productive Christ-centered lives.
No believer can grow and mature spiritually without the local church, because it is here where God’s plans and purposes are practiced and preached. And also where spiritual accountability and authority are taught.
The writer to the Hebrews exhorts christians, “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near” (Hebrews 10:24,25).
If you are not yet a part of God’s “called out ones,” why not become a member right now by trusting Jesus Christ as your Savior.