Ask the Pastor 11

What is the Church?

In our last article we referred to the Church as needing to be together, so what is the Church? When we drive down the road and we see a building with a steeple or a cross on it, we say there is a church. So, does that mean it is a building? The first mention of the word church in the Bible is Matthew 16:18, “…and on this rock I will build by church,”. The word church is translated from the Greek word ekklasia which is literally called out ones. It has to do with a specific people who have been called out to a specific place, for a specific purpose at a specific time. This word appears at least 114 times in the New Testament. Our Lord Jesus is referred to as “the head of the body, the church,” (Colossians 1:18). Our Lord “gave Himself for the church that He might sanctify and cleanse her” (Ephesians 5:25-26). The church is the body of Christ which is made up of all who have believed on Him. To be a member of the Church, one must believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and then those who have believed, come together as the called out ones to worship, to fellowship, to pray, and to be taught sound doctrine (see Acts 2:42-47). If you have questions as to what it means to believe and to be a member of the Church, send me an email.