What is the Church

What is the Church of God ?

The term Church comes from the Greek word Ecclesia, which is defined as “a called-out assembly or congregation.” We see in the bible that The Church with all of its members, are those who are called and chosen by God to fulfil His will on the earth. Jesus Christ is the promised deliverer of the nation of Israel and all who will believe on Him. He is the visible Image of the invisible God. And just as the nation of Israel was called and chosen of God to be an expression of His righteousness in the earth at that time; The Church is also called and sanctified to be the expression of Jesus Christ in the world today. He said to His followers, "as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you."

Jesus Christ, the Son of God is the head of the Church and all who believe in Him are called the Body of Christ. Each individual member of the Church is to function, in faithful submission to Him. Jesus said; “you shall be witnesses unto Me,” thereby making the Church, Christ’s Witnesses in the earth. The Church is made up of people from every tribe, tongue and nation around the world and God is calling all, to be part of the Church and to honor His Son, Jesus Christ. Jesus said; “That all men should honor the Son, even as they honor (God) the Father. He that honor’s not the Son, honor’s not the Father which hath sent Him.” And again “Truly, truly, I say unto you, He that hears My word, and believes on Him that sent Me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.”

Membership to The Church is not something on a piece of paper. Many groups want your name on their ledger to show that you are part of their group, but in fact, God says; that He “set’s the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased Him.” People cannot make you as a member, God does. The biblical understanding of membership is that one must believe in Jesus Christ as the Son of God and obey Him. We see in Romans 10:9 “That if you shalt confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and shalt believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you shalt be saved.” The word saved means, one has made peace with God and is now sealed with God’s Holy Spirit. This is also called being “born again”. These members are called the children of God and will not face judgement when God judge’s humanity, but have passed from death to everlasting life.

The “Church” is not a building, but “a people” who meet in the name of Jesus Christ. In our society we say we are going to church, meaning the building, but let us remember that The Church is the people who gather and not the place. Keep in mind that not all who profess to represent Jesus, actually do and not all Church groups called by His name obey His Word. He says in John; “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.” Regardless of what we might see around us, the actual Church is alive and well and doing what Jesus has called His Body to do. The apparent contradiction with what we see in Christendom today, is that not all who profess Him are actually walking in obedience or are part of His Body. There are many false teachers in the world who say they represent Jesus but do not. The main warning we see from Jesus was to; "be not deceived.”

It is also important to remember that the Church is called to be separate from the world. “Love not the world, (world system) neither the things that are in the world. If any man loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” Those who are part of the Body of Christ are also called to: “Examine themselves, whether (or not) you are in the faith; prove your own selves.” Another warning from Jesus Christ is; “Not everyone that says unto Me, Lord, Lord, (that Christ is their Lord) shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but those that do the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” (those who practice unrighteousness).

I hope this will confirm or give some insights into what the Church is. To know more, read the Holy Bible and may God bless you with the Truth.