In God's Word, the Bible, what is "The Church"? Is it a place? Is it a building? Is it a person? Is it a diety?
2006-09-26 07:17:19 · 22 answers · asked by 4HIM- Christians love 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
The 'church' is those who are Gods children. We are all part of one body... the body of Christ.
2006-09-26 07:21:49 · answer #1 · answered by Lady Di-USA 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The word translated "church" in the English Bible is the Greek word "ekklesia." This word is made up of two Greek words: "kaleo" (to call) and the prefix "ek" (out). Thus, the word means "the called out ones."
However, the English word "church" does not come from "ekklesia," but from the Greek word "kuriakon," which means "dedicated to the Lord." This word was commonly used to refer to a holy place or temple.
By the time of Jerome's translation of the NT from Greek to Latin, it was customary to use a derivative of "kuriakon" to translate "ekklesia." Therefore, the word church is a poor translation of the word "ekklesia" since it implies a sacred building, or temple. A more accurate translation would be "assembly" because the term "ekklesia" was used to refer to a group of people who had been called out to a meeting. It was also used as a synonym for the word synagogue, which also means to "come together," i.e. a gathering.
Since believers have been united with Christ through spiritual baptism, they are sometimes corporately referred to as the Body of Christ. (Rom. l2:4-5; 1 Cor. l2:11,13,l8,27; Col. l:l8; Eph. 5:30). Christians believe we make up the physical representation of Christ on earth. It is also a metaphor which demonstrates the interdependence of members in the church (Rom. 12:4; 1 Cor. 12:14-17).
Peace.
2006-09-26 07:30:22 · answer #2 · answered by Suzanne: YPA 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A church is a group of people who gather together in order to worship and function as an entity of Christ.
If you go to the link below, you may do a word search on "Church". Reading all of the returns from this search will give you a better definition or idea of what the word Church means when it's used in Bible text. Such as used in this verse:
1 Corinthians 1:2 (Amplified Bible)
2To the church (assembly) of God which is in Corinth, to those consecrated and purified and made holy in Christ Jesus, [who are] selected and called to be saints (God's people), together with all those who in any place call upon and give honor to the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both their Lord and ours:
2006-09-26 07:27:44 · answer #3 · answered by Bruce 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In the Bible, when it talks of the church, it simply means a body of Christians. These days, many of us take it to mean a building. But then, it meant a body of believers; it didn't really matter where they met. God bless!
2006-09-26 07:30:56 · answer #4 · answered by eefen 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The church is the body of chist, also called the bride of Christ. The church is supposed to be one body under Christ, but we have tried to make the Bible and the church more comfortable for ourselves and have torn both of them apart. One body having many members, if those members cannot work together then it renders the body paralyzed.
2006-09-26 07:38:37 · answer #5 · answered by blwingleaf 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The church is the believers. The Bible says it is the body of Christ.
2006-09-26 07:22:47 · answer #6 · answered by Grandma Susie 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
We are the church, The church is Christs bride and he definately isnt married to a building. i t means his commitment is to us his followers. And we do need to come together in a building or whichever way because it is good encouragement. So yes it is a building, place, and it is also each of christ's followers.
2006-09-26 07:24:13 · answer #7 · answered by dreamgirl4myboy 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He was referring to His people, who make up His Church. A lot of ornate buildings and cathedrals have been built, but it is nothing more than stones and wood without the people. We, His faithful ones, are His church. Christ gave the 12 apostles one deposit of faith, one truth, which is the truth of God. The apostles were commissioned to live it, to protect it, preserve it, and to teach it to others. We are also apostles; the word apostle actually means "one who is sent" or "sent forth". We too are commissioned to safeguard His truth and teach it to others. During the time of the apostles, Christ instituted one church, which protected and preserved His truth and is still protecting and preserving it: the Roman Catholic Church.
Today we have protestantism and catholicism, and we are both brothers and sisters in Christ; however, Christ instituted ONE church, not 3,000+.
2006-09-26 07:57:45 · answer #8 · answered by Danny H 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i believe the bible says a church can be 3 or more ppl in a place of worship, but im not positive its 3 , but a church can be anywhere
2006-09-26 07:25:44 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
In the book of Revelation, in the Holy Bible, the " church" is talking about the true believers of God, they are the ones who will be " taken up" "raptured" " transformed", they will not have to go through the tribulation.
2006-09-26 07:25:23 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The church is referred to a body of believers.
2006-09-26 07:22:26 · answer #11 · answered by Monique 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋