It is my goal to share with you a few nuggets of what I believe to be the answer to the question: What is the church all about? The church can be understood in two ways: the visible and the invisible. The visible Christian church is comprised of those who claim the name of Jesus Christ and who gather together for worship and participation of the fulfillment of the scriptures. The visible church contains both believers and non-believers. In other words, there are people in the visible church who are not really saved/filled with the Baptism of the Holy Ghost. It is written, "‘An enemy did this,’ he replied. “The servants asked him, ‘Do you want us to go and pull them up?’ “ ‘No,’ he answered, ‘because while you are pulling the weeds, you may uproot the wheat with them. Let both [saved/unsaved] grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn.’" Matthew 13:28-30 NIV.
The members of the invisible church are the actual body of believers. They are the ones who are truly regenerate and have trusted, by faith, in the true Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. The true Christian is indwelt by the Lord Jesus through the Holy Spirit. Read: John 14:23. Therefore, the Christian church is figuratively said to be the body of Christ.
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Romans 12:5, "So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another."
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Ephesians 4:12, "For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:."
The church as a whole has been equipped with people possessing different spiritual gifts. Read: Rom. 12:5-8. The purpose of the gifts is as Ephesians 4:12-13 says, "for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:"
The Christian Church was founded by Jesus
The word "church" comes from the Greek "ekklesia" which means "gathering" or "assembly." Therefore, the church is the gathering of the believers who come together to participate in fellowship with one another as they worship God and hear from His Word, the Holy Bible. The Christian church was founded by Jesus Christ and He is its Head and Savior. Read: Colossians 1:18; Ephesians 5:23. Being in the church, the Christian is subject to the Lordship of Jesus. Read: Ephesians 5:24 through the administration of the Word of God. Nevertheless, the true church is mainly the body of believers, not just an ecclesiastical structure. The New Testament gives us a formal church is to operate.
It states that there are to be elders who govern in the church. These elders are appointed by the laying on of hands. Read: 1 Timothy 4:14; 2 Timothy 1:6. They are to be able to teach sound doctrine and refute error. Read: Titus 1:9; 1 Timothy 3:2. There are to be deacons, and worship, and the preaching of the word of God. The purpose of the church is to both glorify God and to inform the world about the work of Christ as Redeemer.
Duties of church members in the local church?
Duty 1: To Pray For The Church Continually. Read: 1 Thessalonians 5:17.
Duty 2: To Attend Church Services Faithfully. Read: Hebrews 10:25.
Duty 3: To Support The Church Financially. Read: Malachi 3:10-11.
Duty 4: To Draw Others To The Church. Read: Matthew 28:19.
Duty 5: To Study The Word of God Daily. Read: 2 Timothy 2:15.
Duty 6: To Guard The Good Name Of The Church. Read: Proverbs 22:1.
Duty 7: To Stand By The Pastor And Leaders Of The Church. Read: Galatians 6:9 and Hebrews 13:7.
Duty 8: To Contribute To The Benevolent Projects Of The Church. Read: Luke 6:38.
Duty 9: To Adopt Some Branch Of Church Work. Read: John 9:4.
Duty 10: To Help In Every Way Possible To Advance The Growth Of The Gospel Of Jesus Christ.
Read: Mark 16:15 and 2 Timothy 4:2.
The Greek word for church is used in different ways
The word ‘church’ in the New Testament is ekklesia and occurs 112 times. It is used in five main ways:
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The body of Christ, appx. 35% of the time
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A gathering of people, appx. 3% of the time
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Local churches, appx. 64% of the time
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The people of God, appx. 11% of the time
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An ecclesiastical body, appx. 11% of the time
Some claim to be the "true church," and failing to preach and teach, the whole Gospel of the Kingdom. The church is the body of believers, not just an earthly organization. The Church is a place where the sinner can come and receive rest from the toils and burdens of sin. Saint Matthew 11:28 NIV says, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." It The "true church" is not a place of judgement, because of your past. It is a place to help attendees become EMPOWERED FOR GREATNESS. It is written in Roman 3:23-24, "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."
What Is Church Really About?, A relationship with you and Jesus Christ. Read: Matthew 25:23.
*** All scripture is from the King James Version, unless otherwise noted.