What Is Church?

That's a screen capture of our church building from our church website 

But - that is simply a building where the church meets. The curch is the people who come to the building to worship God. We are also called a congregation, when speaking of the entire group, or the membership. Not everyone who attends is a member of this church because membership requires some specific actions. All of them are defined in the Bible, because our beliefs are centered in the Bible and we consider it God's word for mankind.

I do take a bit of pride in the concrete between the church building on the right and the fellowship hall/gymnasium on the left. Those two L shaped roofs cover a ramped walkway from our lobby into the gym. My Beloved Husband built the roof alone. Our family poured the concrete for the ramp, steps and drive. It was a gift we were so very happy to offer because we love our brothers and sisters in Christ, and we love being in our Lord's service. It has been almost 30 years since that was built. This year it got it's first new roof (due to some severe storms) and new ceilings out of hardyboard due to fire danger.

This is not, however, a building Jesus spoke of in the gospels. He did not set out to rebuild the Temple, or its replacement. He went specifically to individuals. The first He spoke with about religion was His cousin, John the Baptist. Next came Andrew and Peter, followed by public speaking to crowds even huge crowds of thousands of people. Individuals came to Him, too. One reached out to touch the hem of His garment, and was healed. Oh, she was noticed - when He is touched by faith, He knows it.

In fact, it is faith in Jesus that activates God's grace:

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9)

No boasting on my part simply because I have faith in God's word that He provides grace to believers. Thousands upon thousands of people come to believe that every day. Some know it, almost show it, then become those upon which seeds only reached stoney ground, interest showed, but it withered and died before it became faith that actually shows fruit. Read Matthew 13 if you want more on that subject.

Back to the church - a word used only twice in the gospels:

And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. (Matthew 16:18)

And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican. (Matthew 18:17)

Context of  verse 16:18 goes back to the full conversation in Matthew 16:13-20. Peter had just confirmed that he believed Jesus to be the Christ (the Messiah promised to the Jews), the Son of the Living God. That is what Jesus was to build His church upon. For our congregation, a public profession of faith in Jesus Christ is required when asking to become a member. No one gets to be a member of our congregation without making that public statement. Our church is built on nothing less that Jesus blood and righteousness. Yes - that is an outstanding statement from "Solid Rock" hymn. 

Now, if you are Catholic, that's not what you've been told. But - Bible reading is outstanding for everyone. I did have a couple of Catholics tell me I was not only outside their church, but outside salvation for taking such information from the book available only to their Church to interpret. Can't apologize, either, because the Bible also tells me what a preacher used today:

For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; (1 Timothy 2:3-5)

One mediator between God and man - not a priest, not a high priest (that veil was town apart), not a bishop, not a pope, not even a pastor - but Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. Remember one of my most favorite verses:

Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. (Romans 8:26-27)

The Holy Spirit - the Comforter that Jesus promised in John 14:16, 26; 15:26; and 16:7. This Comforter will "... teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you." Just as firmly as we believe God is one, that Jesus died and was resurrected to be in heaven, we believe the Comforter came upon those who also believed at Pentecost. After that, there was clarification between John's baptism and the spiritual baptism. 

So - back to what is church? Our English Bible's translate as Strong's:

ἐκκλησία    ekklēsia    ek-klay-see'-ah

a calling out, that is, (concretely) a popular meeting, especially a religious congregation (Jewish synagogue, or Christian community of members on earth or saints in heaven or both): - assembly, church.

It is the people who assemble at a meeting place who believe Jesus is the Christ, Son of the Living God. Nothing more - and more certainly nothing less.