The term most often used in the New Testament is simply “the church.” In the original language of the New Testament (Greek), the term does not always refer to the church that Christ built. In Acts 19:32, it refers to “the assembly” of an angry mob. In Acts 7:38, it refers to the Israelites in the wilderness.
“The church” refers to a group of people, never to a building. In reference to the Lord’s church, it means those “called out of darkness into light” (1 Peter 2:9). Note the following ‘musts’ of those called out of the darkness of sin by the Gospel (2 Timothy 1:8-11):
- There must be a “translation out of darkness into the kingdom of his dear Son” (Colossians 1:13f). “Kingdom” is another reference to the church.
- There must also be genuine obedience to that “form [pattern] of doctrine” (Romans 6:17). This pattern is the same pattern Paul described in Romans 6:1-16.
- Upon one’s obedience to God, there must be an addition to the church by the Lord (Acts 2:38-47). No one is ever voted into the Lord’s church by men.
- There also must be a conviction that since sins have been remitted or forgiven, we must dedicate ourselves to serve and worship God. Christian devotion ought to be observable in daily life and in the public worship assemblies of the church (Romans 6:6-13).
We must never separate ourselves from the church, since Christ is its Head (Colossians 1:18). What we choose to do or not do to the church, we choose to do or not do to Christ Himself (Matthew 25:40, 45; Acts 9:1-5).
The church is also called “My church” by Christ (Matthew 16:18) and “churches of Christ” by Paul (Romans 16:16). These words designate Christ’s ownership of the church. The church never belonged to any other man, but to Christ alone. When people speak of “my church” as “their church,” it demonstrates their lack of Bible understanding as to the true nature of the church; it shows they only know of the church as denominationalism defines it and as they defend it as their property. If men were not divided into different churches, by their different names, doctrines and practices, we would only speak of one church—His (1 Corinthians 1:10).
The church is referred to as the “house” or “family of God” (1 Timothy 3:15; Ephesians 2:19; 3:15). This means God is our Father and we are His children. We are brothers and sisters with brotherly love for other family members (2 Corinthians 6:18; Galatians 3:26; Romans 12:9; 2 Peter 1:5-7).
The church is also called “the body of Christ” (Colossians 1:18, 24; Ephesians 1:10-23), emphasizing the Headship of Christ, the subjection of members to Christ and the functioning of members perfectly, while heeding the commands of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:12-31). If even one member is severed from the body, it cannot function properly. Note: The body never commands the Head. It is vital that those who wear the name of Christ, as part of His body, honor Him as Lord, in the name that is worn, the doctrine that is taught, in worship and in daily living (Acts 4:12; 1 Peter 4:16; John 4:23-24; Colossians 3:17; 1 Peter 4:11-19).
