The Nature of the Church
The Called-Out Assembly
Ecclesiology · 6 verses
The word 'church' (ekklesia) means 'called-out assembly'—those whom God has called out of the world unto Himself. The church is not a building but a people, not an organization but an organism. It is the body of Christ, the household of God, the pillar and ground of truth. The church exists wherever believers gather in Christ's name—for where two or three are gathered in His name, there He is in the midst. The church is both local (congregations in specific places) and universal (all believers throughout all time). Christ loved the church and gave Himself for it.
Scripture References
“And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”
“Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it.”
“But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.”
“For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”
“Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.”
“And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.”