What Is the Church?

When many people hear the word “church,” they immediately think of a building with a steeple, a denomination, or a group of people who gather together on Sunday morning.

But is that what the Bible means when it talks about the church?

The answer is no.

The church is not a building.

The church is not a denomination.

The church is the people who belong to Jesus Christ.

Jesus said, “I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” Matthew 16:18.

The word translated “church” refers to an assembly or gathering of people. Throughout the New Testament, the church is described as the body of Christ and those who follow Him.

Paul wrote:

“Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.”
1 Corinthians 12:27

That gives us an important understanding of what the church really is.

The Church Belongs to Christ

The church doesn’t belong to a pastor.

It doesn’t belong to a denomination.

It doesn’t belong to a particular organization.

It belongs to Jesus Christ.

Christ is the head of His church.

Paul wrote that God “gave him to be the head over all things to the church, Which is his body.” Ephesians 1:22-23.

That means our ultimate authority is not a religious organization or a human leader. Our authority is Jesus Christ and His Word.

The Church Is a Body

The Bible uses the human body as an illustration of how followers of Christ are connected.

Just as a body has many different parts, the church has many different members.

We don’t all have the same abilities, responsibilities, or backgrounds. But we are called to serve Christ and one another.

Paul wrote:

“For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body… are one body: so also is Christ.”
1 Corinthians 12:12

The church is therefore more than people sitting in the same room.

It is a community of believers who belong to Christ and are called to live according to His teachings.

The Church Has a Mission

Jesus gave His followers a mission.

Before ascending into heaven, He told His disciples:

“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations.”
Matthew 28:19

The church is called to proclaim the Gospel, make disciples, teach the Word of God, care for one another, and be a witness for Jesus Christ.

That mission didn’t end with the first disciples.

It continues today.

You Don’t Have to Be in a Building to Follow Christ

A church building can be a useful place for Christians to gather, worship, study Scripture, and encourage one another.

But the building itself is not the church.

The church exists wherever followers of Jesus gather in His name and live as His people.

That means an online Bible study can reach people who might never walk through the doors of a traditional church.

It means a Christian sitting alone at home reading Scripture is still a follower of Christ.

And it means that being part of the church is ultimately about belonging to Jesus, not simply belonging to an organization.

What About Denominations?

There are many different denominations and Christian traditions.

Some disagree about important doctrines, while others differ over traditions, church government, worship practices, and interpretations of Scripture.

Last Call Outreach Ministry is not intended to promote a particular denomination.

Our goal is to point people back to Jesus Christ and the Word of God.

We should examine what we are taught rather than automatically accepting something simply because a religious leader says it.

The Bereans were commended because they examined the Scriptures to determine whether what they were being taught was true.

Acts 17:11 says:

“They received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.”

That is a good principle for every Christian.

Don’t simply take my word for it.

Open your Bible.

Read the Scriptures.

Test what you hear.

And follow Jesus Christ.

The Church Is People

The church isn’t the building.

It isn’t the sign out front.

It isn’t the denomination on the paperwork.

It is the people who belong to Jesus Christ.

And if you belong to Christ, you are called to be more than a spectator.

You are called to follow Him.

You are called to serve.

You are called to grow.

You are called to encourage others.

And you are called to proclaim the Gospel.

The church is not a place we simply go to. It is a people we are called to be.

Last Call Outreach Ministry exists to encourage people to take that calling seriously and to keep our focus where it belongs:

On Jesus Christ.

Last Call Outreach Ministry is a Christian ministry based in Johnson City, Tennessee, dedicated to proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ and reaching people with the truth of God’s Word.

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