Church

The Church (Greek ekklēsia, “assembly” or those “called out”) is the people of God gathered by his grace and united to Jesus Christ. The Greek word rendered the Hebrew qahal — the congregation of Israel assembled before the LORD — so the New Testament presents the Church not as a brand-new institution but as the continuation and fulfilment of God’s one people. Scripture uses the term in two senses: the universal Church, the whole body of the redeemed across all time and place with Christ as its head (Ephesians 1:22-23; Ephesians 5:23-25), and the local Church, believers gathered in a particular place — Paul writes to “the church of God that is in Corinth” yet teaches that all such congregations form one body.

Its foundation is Christ himself. He first announced it: “on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18), and gave it authority and a way of reconciliation among its members (Matthew 18:17-20). The Church was born in power at Pentecost, when the risen Lord poured out the Spirit and some three thousand were added in a day (Acts 2:41-42), the believers devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching, the fellowship, the breaking of bread, and the prayers. From Jerusalem the gospel spread through Judea, Samaria, and to the Gentiles (Acts 1:8), so that the one Church embraces every nation.

The New Testament unfolds the Church’s nature through rich images. It is the body of Christ, many members with diverse gifts but one Lord (1 Corinthians 12:12-27); the bride Christ loved and gave himself for, to present her holy (Ephesians 5:25-27; Revelation 21:2); a temple and household built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself the cornerstone (Ephesians 2:19-22; 1 Peter 2:4-5); and a chosen people, “a royal priesthood, a holy nation,” called out of darkness into his marvellous light (1 Peter 2:9-10).

Historic creeds confess the Church as one, holy, catholic, and apostolic. Its God-given marks — where it is truly present — are the faithful preaching of the Word, the right administration of the sacraments (baptism and the Lord’s Supper), and the loving exercise of discipline; its life is worship, fellowship, and witness. Entrusted with the keys of the kingdom and the Great Commission to make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:18-20), the Church exists for the glory of God and the gathering of his people until Christ returns for a bride without spot or wrinkle.