The Greek word translated "Church" is "ekklesia", meaning
"called out ones". The Church is also called the "Body of Christ" (Ephesians 1:22, 23) and
the "Bride of Christ" (Ephesian 5:23-33).
In the context of the New Testament, "The Church" refers to people;
individuals who belong to Jesus and who are called to be in a relationship with each
other. The word "Church" can refer to all the followers of Jesus everywhere, or
those believers in a certain location.
The New Testament usage of the term "Church" does not refer to
a building, or some place we "go", or a
social organization like the Lions Club or
Elks Lodge, or a corporation.
The traditions of men, especially those coming from the Roman Catholic Empire (and
continued via Protestantism and Evangelicalism), have perverted our understanding of the
word, "Church". We think of "going to Church" meaning that we are
going to a building we call "the church" or a meeting we call
"church". We are deceived into thinking in terms of a building, or some place we
"go", or a social organization like the Lions Club or Elks Lodge, or a
corporation.
But, it is crucial that we continuously remind ourselves that "The
Church" is people: all individuals who belong to Jesus and are called to be in
relationship with each other.
The modern concept of a "corporation" serves as a good illustration. Our
friends (let's call them Dan and Cheryl) incorporated their business. They created a legal
entity called, a "corporation" which is an institution. It is its own legal
entity. The corporation is not Dan and Cheryl. It is legally distinct from them as
individuals. A corporation has officers and employees. They are part of the machinery of
the corporation. Dan and Cheryl are officers in the corporation, i.e., part of the
machinery. But they and the corporation are distinct.
There is no teaching in the Bible that the Church is a corporation, an
institution, distinct from individual Christians. Rather, the Church, IS the individuals
who belong to Jesus and are called to be in relationship with each other.
The Church is people. We who belong to Jesus are the Church. When we meet
together, it is a meeting of the Church. We go to meetings of the Church. The Church meets
in buildings or homes or out in the woods. When the Church ministers, individual Christians
minister as the Holy Spirit empowers them.
What do you think? Let me know.
