What Is the Church?

We see them all around town: buildings with signs out front that have the name of a church on them. It’s quite common, and partly because of that, we rarely think deeply about the nature of the church. So today, get your brain in gear and let’s dig deep.

After being started in the pastor’s house in 1883, the church I pastor has met in three different buildings. The first was built in 1889, where the Post Office now stands. The second is now the home of Delgado’s Dugout. The current structure was erected in 1969. Yet, none of these buildings, nor any of the other similar edifices in town, should be called a “church.” “Church-building,” “meeting-house,” and even “gathering-place” are good terms for these facilities. A “church,” however, is not made of brick, stones and wood, but of people.

The word “church” is used in English-language Bibles to translate the New Testament Greek term “ekklesia.” (The New Testament was originally written in Greek.) This word is used 112 times in the New Testament to refer to the body of Christ.

Some background on the term helps us understand what the church is. “Ekklesia” literally means “called out ones,” or “chosen ones.” In secular society during New Testament times, “ekklesia” was used for the gathered body of those chosen by the people to be their leaders: in other words, the assembly of the called out and chosen ones.

Since Christians are those who are chosen by God (1 Peter 2:9), called out by Him (1 Corinthians 1:9), and commanded to assemble regularly (Hebrews 10:24-25), it made sense for Christians to be called the “ekklesia:” those chosen by God and gathered by God.

The church, of course, did not start in a vacuum. Early Christians were mostly Jews, who met weekly or more often in “synagogues,” a term that simply means “congregation” or “gathering place.” The early church developed most of its forms and government from the practices of the synagogue, practices in which Jesus Himself readily participated throughout His life and ministry.

In the New Testament, “ekklesia” is used 18 times to mean the universal church: everyone, everywhere who has ever been saved. But it’s used most often – 94 times, to be precise – to mean a local band of folks committed to one another, meeting weekly or more often to worship and pray; to make disciples and evangelize the lost; and to share each other’s lives in fellowship and service.

And the point of all this? Let me quote the old children’s song:

The church is not a building.

The church is not a steeple.

The church is not a resting place.

The church is the people.

Christians ARE the church. If you are saved, you are united with all Christians everywhere. That mystical union finds its functional expression in a local body of believers committed to Christ and one another. Something extraordinary happens when that group gathers in His name: Jesus shows up in a way He won’t at any other time. And that’s beautiful!

So, go be with the church this Sunday! Jesus will be meeting with His people! Don’t miss the gathering. It’s great!