The Church is
the body of Christ,
made up of all believers
who have trusted in Jesus Christ
from the Day of Pentecost
until the Rapture.
It is a distinct entity in God’s plan,
separate from Israel.
¶ Biblical Understanding of the Church
The word “church” comes from the Greek word ekklesia, which means “called-out ones.” The Church is not a building or a denomination.
In the New Testament, it is used in two primary ways:
- The universal church — The entire body of Christ, composed of all true believers throughout history (Matthew 16:18; Ephesians 1:22-23; 5:25-27; Colossians 1:18).
- It is the living organism of all true believers in Jesus Christ, indwelt by the Holy Spirit and united to Christ as their Head.
- The local church — A specific congregation of believers in a particular place (Acts 8:1; 1 Corinthians 1:2; Romans 16:5; Revelation 2–3).
The Church began on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2) when the Holy Spirit came upon the believers in Jerusalem. It will continue until the Rapture, when Christ removes His Church from the earth before the Tribulation begins.
¶ The Church and Israel
While the Church includes both Jewish and Gentile believers, it is distinct from national Israel. God’s covenants and promises to Israel remain in effect and will be fulfilled in the future. The Church is a new creation, often called a “mystery” in the New Testament because it was not fully revealed in the Old Testament. It is the Bride of Christ and will reign with Him in His future Kingdom.
- United to Christ — Christ is the Head, and believers are members of His body.
- Indwelt by the Holy Spirit — Every true believer is sealed and filled with the Holy Spirit.
- One Body — All believers are united in Christ regardless of background, nationality, or denomination.
- Purpose — To glorify God, make disciples, worship, serve, and be a light in the world.
- Future Hope — The Church will be raptured to be with Christ before the Tribulation and will return with Him at the Second Coming.
The New Testament uses several rich images to describe the church:
- The body of Christ — Christ is the head; believers are the members (1 Corinthians 12:12-27; Ephesians 4:15-16).
- The bride of Christ — Loved, redeemed, and destined for eternal union with Him (Ephesians 5:25-32; Revelation 19:7-9).
- The household or family of God — Believers are brothers and sisters adopted into God’s family (Ephesians 2:19; Galatians 6:10).
- A holy temple — Built together as a dwelling place for God by the Spirit (Ephesians 2:20-22; 1 Peter 2:5).
- A flock — Cared for by the Good Shepherd and by under-shepherds (John 10:16; Acts 20:28; 1 Peter 5:2-3).
¶ Purpose and Mission of the Church
The church exists to:
- Worship God
- Proclaim the gospel and make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:18-20)
- Build up believers toward maturity in Christ (Ephesians 4:11-16)
- Practice the ordinances of baptism and the Lord’s Supper
- Display God’s wisdom and glory to the world and to the heavenly realms (Ephesians 3:10)
- Matthew 16:18 — And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.
- Acts 2:1-4 — When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit…
- Acts 2:42-47
- Ephesians 1:22-23 — And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.
- Ephesians 5:25-27 — Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.
- 1 Corinthians 12:12-13 — For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ. For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink into one Spirit.
- Colossians 1:18
- 1 Peter 2:9-10
- Revelation 2–3
Understanding the Church has important implications for believers:
- It reminds us that we are part of something much bigger than ourselves — the worldwide body of Christ.
- It calls us to unity with other believers, even across denominational lines.
- It gives us purpose — we are called to glorify God and make disciples.
- It provides hope — the Church has a glorious future with Christ as His Bride.
- It motivates us to live holy lives, knowing we will one day be presented to Christ as a pure and spotless bride.
The Church is not an afterthought in God’s plan — it is central to His purposes in this age and will be with Christ forever in the ages to come. The church is precious to Jesus Christ — He loved her and gave Himself up for her. To belong to Christ is to belong to His people. While the universal church includes all true believers, God calls His people to gather in local congregations where they can worship, grow, serve, and bear witness together. The church is both a gift and a responsibility: a family to belong to and a body through which Christ continues His work in the world.