Church
“Called out assembly”
Summary
The assembly of believers called out by God, encompassing both the universal body of Christ and local congregations gathered in His name.
☩Etymology and Names
The English word 'church' likely derives from the Greek 'kuriakon' meaning 'belonging to the Lord.' The New Testament uses 'ekklesia' (from 'ek' meaning 'out' and 'kalein' meaning 'to call'), rendered in the Old Testament as the Hebrew 'qahal,' denoting the congregation of Israel in its religious aspect as the people of God. The term 'synagogue' was avoided by Christians due to growing hostility from Judaism. Christ Himself referred to His followers as 'the kingdom of God' or 'the kingdom of heaven,' with 'church' marking the emergence of His people as distinct from Israel.
☩Biblical Usage
In the New Testament, 'ekklesia' refers to the whole Christian body as the sanctified of God, particular societies of Christians in cities or provinces, and local assemblies meeting in homes. Christ used the word twice in the Gospels: declaring He would build His church upon the rock of Peter's confession, and regarding church discipline. The day of Pentecost marks the birthday of the Christian church, when individual followers became Christ's mystical body animated by His Spirit.
☩Nature and Character
The church is described as the body of which Christ is the Head, the bride whom He sanctifies and will present without spot or wrinkle, and the temple of the Holy Spirit built of living stones. It is a theocratic democracy, a society of those who are free yet conscious that their freedom springs from obedience to their King. The church is not merely a human organization but the divinely inspired organic growth of Christian life, constituted by the Divine Spirit. Believers are baptized by one Spirit into one body regardless of ethnic background.
☩Unity and Division
Scripture declares there is one body and one Spirit. The church Christ builds experiences no failure—the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. However, human responsibility has left its mark on the visible church, with some building 'wood, hay, and stubble' rather than 'gold, silver, and precious stones' on the foundation of Christ. Despite divisions in professing Christendom, the true church consists of all who belong to Christ and are one in faith, character, and hope.
☩Government and Ordinances
No detailed church government is explicitly commanded in the New Testament. The early church drew from synagogue patterns, with elders (presbyters), overseers (bishops), and deacons serving local congregations. Christ appointed baptism and the Lord's Supper as the church's distinctive ordinances. Local churches were not independent organizations but expressions of the one church of God with entire intercommunion.
Related Verses568 mentions
See Also
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Church," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. II (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Orr (ed.), "Church," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. I (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 3.James Hastings (ed.), "Church," in Dictionary of the Apostolic Church, vol. I (T. & T. Clark, 1915–1918).
- 4.James Hastings (ed.), "Church," in Dictionary of Christ and the Gospels, vol. I (T. & T. Clark, 1906–1908).
- 5.F. N. Peloubet & M. A. Peloubet (ed.), "Church," in Smith's Bible Dictionary (Porter & Coates, 1884).
- 6.George Morrish, "Church," in Morrish's Concise Bible Dictionary (George Morrish, 1898).
- 7.Andrew Robert Fausset, "Church," in The Englishman's Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopædia (Hodder & Stoughton, 1878).