Doctrine and Ordinances · Christian Living

What Is the Church?

5 min read, approximately

“For I say, through the grace that was given me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but so to think as to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to each man a measure of faith. For even as we have many members in one body, and all the members have not the same office: so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and severally members one of another.” (Romans 12:3-5)

We often see the Lord’s church described as a place or a building. While this is true, the Word emphasizes that:

“… faith comes through hearing, and hearing through the word of God.” (Romans 10:17)

And that it is vital to:

“not forsaking our own assembling together, as the custom of some is, but exhorting [one another]; and so much the more, as ye see the day drawing nigh.” (Hebrews 10:25)

This refers not only to the building itself, but to the Lord’s desire for us to be together as brothers and sisters in unity, with one mind, reading, reflecting on, and hearing the Word. We build one another up through the Word as we grow in faith, singing to and worshiping the Lord:

“For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” (Matthew 18:20)

The Word says:

“Thus saith Jehovah, Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: what manner of house will ye build unto me? and what place shall be my rest?” (Isaiah 66:1)

“But will God in very deed dwell on the earth? behold, heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house that I have builded!” (1 Kings 8:27)

So, Beyond What We Have Seen… What Is the Church?

\1. It Is Us

“For we are God’s fellow-workers: ye are God’s husbandry, God’s building.” (1 Corinthians 3:9)

“Know ye not that ye are a temple of God, and [that] the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man destroyeth the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, and such are ye.” (1 Corinthians 3:16-17)

\2. It Is One Body, One Church, Which Christ Desires to Be Holy and Without Blemish

“Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself up for it; that he might sanctify it, having cleansed it by the washing of water with the word, that he might present the church to himself a glorious [church], not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.” (Ephesians 5:25-27)

“so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and severally members one of another.” (Romans 12:5)

“For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of the body, being many, are one body; so also is Christ. For in one Spirit were we all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether bond or free; and were all made to drink of one Spirit.” (1 Corinthians 12:12-13)

\3. It Is a Body With Various Members and Functions Whose Purpose Is to Build One Another Up

“The body is not one member, but many.” (1 Corinthians 12:14)

“And whether one member suffereth, all the members suffer with it; or [one] member is honored, all the members rejoice with it. Now ye are the body of Christ, and severally members thereof.” (1 Corinthians 12:26-27)

“And he gave some [to be] apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, unto the work of ministering, unto the building up of the body of Christ: till we all attain unto the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a fullgrown man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:” (Ephesians 4:11-13)

“but speaking truth in love, may grow up in all things into him, who is the head, [even] Christ; from whom all the body fitly framed and knit together through that which every joint supplieth, according to the working in [due] measure of each several part, maketh the increase of the body unto the building up of itself in love.” (Ephesians 4:15-16)

\4. It Is the Bride of Christ

“And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of the throne saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he shall dwell with them, and they shall be his peoples, and God himself shall be with them, [and be] their God:” (Revelation 21:2-3)

All of this is very beautiful, and I truly believe everyone would like to enter it. However…

“and there shall in no wise enter into it anything unclean, or he that maketh an abomination and a lie: but only they that are written in the Lamb’s book of life.” (Revelation 21:27)

“Or know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with men, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.” (1 Corinthians 6:9-10)

Let us not forget: Jesus Christ is coming for:

“A glorious church, without spot or wrinkle or anything like that, but holy and without blemish.” (Ephesians 5:27)

_**Remember to stop by the Songbook

May God continue to bless you, and may you continue to have an excellent day in Christ Jesus!