Who is the church and where is it?
Short answer.
Who is the Church?
The Church is not a place, denomination, or institution, but the people of God united to Christ by faith. Scripture consistently defines the Church as a living body composed of believers, with Christ Himself as the head.
Ephesians 1:22–23[1]
1 Corinthians 12:27[2]
The Church is therefore Christ’s body, not a human organization that owns Him.
Where is the Church?
The Church is where Christ’s people are, because Christ dwells in them by His Spirit. Scripture never confines the Church to geography.
1 Corinthians 3:16[3]
Ephesians 2:19–22[4]
The Church exists in homes, gatherings, prisons, fields, cities, and across nations because it is not bricks and mortar. It is a people being built together.
Local and Universal, not either/or
Scripture speaks of the Church in two complementary ways:
The universal Church, consisting of all believers united to Christ across time and space.
Hebrews 12:22–23[5]
The local church, where believers gather visibly for worship, teaching, and fellowship.
Acts 2:42[6]
One does not cancel the other. The universal Church is made visible through local assemblies.
What the Church is not.
Scripture never defines the Church as a building.
Acts 7:48[7]
Calling a building “the church” is linguistic shorthand, not biblical definition.
Thus…
The Church is the people redeemed by Christ.
The Church is located wherever those people are, because Christ dwells in them.
The Church is both universal and local, spiritual and visible, already and not yet.
If someone needs a one-line answer:
The Church is not where you go.
The Church is who you are in Christ, gathered wherever God places His people.
The church is a gathered people, not a building. There were no church buildings for hundreds of years. In James (one of the earliest Christian books) the church is referred to by the term “synagōgē” (the assembly). This term for the church occurs only in James (cf. James 2:2; 5:14).
The term "church (ekklēsia) is only one of several words and phrases used to describe the new people of God (i.e., those who have faith in Jesus).
saints (many verses)
children (many texts)
heirs (many texts)
sons of God (Matt. 5:9)
disciples (Matt. 10:42)
His elect (Matt. 24:31; Luke 18:7; Rom. 8:33)
Christians (Acts 11:26)
flock of God (Acts 20:28; 1 Pet. 5:2)
beloved of God (Rom. 1:7)
the Body of Christ (1 Cor. 12:27; Eph. 1:12; Col. 1:24)
sons of Abraham (Gal. 3:7-9)
the Israel of God (Gal. 6:16)
brethren (Phil. 4:1; Col. 1:2; 1 Thess. 1:4; 2 Thess. 2:13)
chosen of God (Col. 3:12)
church of the Living God (1 Tim. 3:15)
holy priesthood (1 Pet. 2:5,9; Rev. 1:6)
J.
And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all. - KJV ↩︎
Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular. - KJV ↩︎
Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? - KJV ↩︎
…ye are… of the household of God… built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone… an holy temple in the Lord. - KJV ↩︎
…the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven… - KJV ↩︎
And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. - KJV ↩︎
Howbeit the most High dwelleth not in temples made with hands… - KJV ↩︎
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The word “Church” as written in the New Testament comes from the Greek term “ekklesia.” “Ekklesia” is formed from two Greek words meaning “an assembly” and or “called out ones.” The word Church is another way of saying, “Family of God.” “Children of God.” “Adopted ones.” “Anointed ones.” A Church is the People. Not the Brick and Mortar building with a steeple and stained glass windows. But simply, the people with Christ as the head, as @Johann pointed out.
”Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.” Ephesians 1:20-23
Why Church to begin with?
“Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” Hebrews 10:22-25
In simple terms, we are to come together as a family. We are to encourage each other. Comfort each other. Strengthen each other. We are to mourn together. Laugh together. Celebrate together. And yes, even to keep each other in check. There is a real reason for discipline in our Church. It is for our own good. To help keep each other from falling. The areas you may be strong in, I may be weak. The areas you are weak in, I may be strong. We are to gather together to lift each other.
You are the Church. You are the body. When you come together, you are to celebrate The Resurrection and The Life. Celebrate God. It is not supposed to be a chore. It is not meant to be something you are forced to do. God couldn’t care less about your following of man-made traditions.
If you are attending a Church that seems to you to be run more as a corporation than a celebration, then I pretty much just have one word for ya. Run. Never go back there. If your Pastor is not teaching you the Word of God, run. If your Pastor is more interested in what you are putting in the offering, and if you are eating meat on Fridays, then he is about the condition of your soul? RUN.
Peter
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I am grateful for those two insightful responses, as they offer valuable knowledge from which I will benefit greatly.
Why would you have to run. Your right church is family. But to run is to fear. So if god put you in a church. From what I’ve been hearing. And it’s evil. You would definitely be running from evil. Or god just dont know or love you enough to protect you from those he placed you within. Love your enimies too. For they might just have somthing to teach you. Or maybe you have somthing to teach them. But if you run. How would you ever know?
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One, it is a figure of speech to inform one that if they find themselves in a false church, LEAVE. Do not linger, complicate, or even try to reason because most are false on purp[ose and for a specific reason. Usually for profit or to justify Sin.
Why do I say run? Because, sadly, most people do not have a strong enough Biblical foundation in the Truth. Some of these people are VERY charismatic. Very persuasive. They twist the Word, or neglect it altogether, to fit their agenda. Don’t give them a chance to corrupt your mind. Look what happened to the churches in Galatia
“I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even if an angel from heaven, or we, should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed.” Galatians 1:6-9
Peter
So do you think these churches are deliberately lying to people? For what reason, seems to be in vain to me. I’ve never experienced a church like this. I’ve been to a few churches and they all seemed to be genuinely preaching the trinity. I know it exists. And I know how scripture can be cleverly used for the enemies purpose. I’ve heard alot of pasters talk about this. Mostly on TV. Like Joyce Myers. I guess what I would do is not run. But observe and learn. And snatch my people out of the hand of the fowler. How come there ain’t like a website that shines the light on these evil people. And there churches
And before we get all crazy that statement showed what. God puts you in your place for a reason. Why who knows. If god sends you into a church. I guess you were seeking him. It shows faith in the fact that no one can snatch you out of his hand. You were just seeking him. Why did he place you in the hand of the enemy. I think what I must do is travel around town to town in search of one of these evil churches. No I better not. I would surely end up in jail for woopin the pastor.
@Hungry, God does not send His people into bad teaching so they can “learn from it.”
God warns His people to stay away from it.
Bad teaching is not a classroom.
It is poison.
The Bible says, “From such turn away” ~2 Timothy 3:5.
It does not say, “Sit there and observe.”
Staying in false teaching and saying, “God will protect me,” is not faith.
That is testing God.
“You shall not tempt the LORD your God” ~Deuteronomy 6:16.
Jesus Himself said this when Satan told Him to put Himself in danger ~Matthew 4:7.
Yes, God protects your salvation ~John 10:28.
That does not mean you cannot be confused, misled, or harmed.
That is why the Bible keeps saying, “Be not deceived” ~Matthew 24:4.
Loving enemies does not mean listening to lies.
Jesus loved people and still said, “Ye are of your father the devil” ~John 8:44.
Love tells the truth. Love does not stay quiet.
You cannot pull someone out of a fire while standing in the fire.
You stand on solid ground first. That is truth ~Jude 1:23.
Some churches lie on purpose.
Some are just wrong.
Either way, God says leave when His Word is twisted ~Romans 16:17.
God’s Word is the flashlight.
If teaching does not match Scripture, you walk away.
That is not fear.
That is obedience.
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The point was I do not need no god not even the most high to teach me a darn thing. Is that not the conversation. I have his name and that alone without him, is my salvation. I test no one. I learn because I am alive. And that was my gift wich I cherish. If I want to learn my enemy that is my business. not even to be brought before god whom already knows the lesson. And how could one possibly love anyone without even knowing them . So if I wish to learn my enemy whom I say I love thats my business. A lesson I believe everyone should learn. His judgements are just. And that my friend is why his people delight in them. Because what? We learn.
I answered that. Just because you would rather troll than actually learn something, it does not do away with the facts and truth.
Let’s look at a few examples. Hopefully you can understand.
Prosperity Gospel: The only one who gets rich is the pastor. It is the opposite of what the Word tells us. Why do they teach it? See above.
Name it and Claim it: Completely false and takes away the ability for God to bless you, by giving you some sort of superpowers to materialize anything you want. Why do they teach it? See above.
No Hell, no sin, just be you, live however you want, you will be blessed, and God loves you. These are the itchy ear churches.
“For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears, they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.” 2 Timothy 4:3-4
Why do they teach this? Profit, and to justify sin.
Oh, and all of these churches are of the devil.
Peter
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Well that says alot. Now I know you are just trolling. Or you are really that ignorant? I hope it is the latter, because maybe you can learn and turn. If you really DO believe that statement? I feel truly sorry for you.
Peter
Your right I’m a little slow. I have a cyst in my frontal lobe. It’s the size of a walnut as of2022. It’s a birth defect. Very rare. The doctor told me my brain was underdeveloped at birth. and somehow it created a syst. so sometimes my emotions go out of controll. I learn very slow because my memory was effected to. My concentration is shot. Life has been hard. but bear with me. my hope is maybe it was worth it
I gave up in 2019! Took my dad’s whole bottle of sleeping pills. And i was still alive I think. I was somewhere else. It’s a crazy story and every since I see spirit everywhere the thoughts that go thru my mind are real and to the foundation of god it’s hard to try to talk to people about these things because I examine it. And it all sounds crazy but I’m not crazy because jesus christ has been walking with me since day one
So yes my story is true and I am a king in the house of god who are you
Amen.
King James Version Romans 3 .For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; >Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
You hear me now pastor. Or do you think I need Grammer school before I talk to you.
You see why I never have nor wii ever need my father to teach me anything it’s simply because he already has
And before we get all bent out of shape on that. We have to ask ourself did god actually write my life in me while I still was in my mother’s womb? Since I believe in scripture i would have to say yes. So does he really need to teach me what he already wrote? Or could it simply mean he has already taught me everything i need to know?
Really not sure I or anyone else can help you get closer to Jesus or God, or the Truth, when you state such a lost statement as I already know all I need to know. OK. God Bless.
Peter