Church Words: "The Church"

Welcome to our new blog series, Church Words, where we take a closer look at the language we often use as Christians—words that are woven into the fabric of our faith but may be misunderstood or misused. You might feel like you should know what these words mean, and so you feel uncomfortable asking about them in a Bible class. Or maybe you are just beginning your study on Christianity, and you are unfamiliar with any of the language that Christians use. Either way, I hope this series is helpful to you!

As a Youth Minister, I began this series with our teens on Wednesday nights, helping them understand the depth and beauty behind terms like "church," "grace," and "baptism", or concepts like "marriage", "fasting", and "communion". Too often, we use these words without fully grasping their meaning or significance. This series invites us to pause and reflect on these key terms, uncovering their biblical roots, rich history, and the powerful truth they hold for us today. Join us on this journey of discovery, as we rediscover the words that shape our faith and help us live out the gospel with greater understanding and purpose.

*We have also covered the concepts of "Faith", "Grace", and "Holy". I really enjoyed working on those posts, and if you would like to read them then please click on them to follow the links.

-"Faith"

-"Grace" -"Holy"

The Church

The concept of the "church" is a central theme in Christian theology, but to fully understand its depth and significance, we must explore its biblical roots. The word “church” carries profound theological and historical meaning that goes beyond a mere gathering of believers. It refers to a people called out by God, united in Christ, and commissioned to live for His glory. In this study, we will unpack the meaning of the word "church" from its original Greek, examine its depiction as the "bride of Christ" and the "body of Christ," and draw parallels to Israel as God's chosen people in the Old Testament. By doing so, we will discover how the church’s identity, purpose, and mission remain as relevant today as ever.

The Word "Church" in the New Testament: "Ecclesia"

The New Testament was originally written in Koine Greek, and the word translated as "church" is ἐκκλησία (ecclesia). To understand the concept of the church, it is essential to first understand the meaning of this Greek word.

Ekklesia is derived from the verb ἐκκαλέω (ekkaleo), meaning “to call out” or “to summon.” The term refers to an assembly of people who have been "called out" for a particular purpose. In the Greek world, ekklesia often referred to an assembly of citizens convened for political or civic purposes. But when used in the New Testament, it takes on a much deeper, spiritual meaning: it refers to those who are called out of the world to follow Christ.

This idea of being "called out" is crucial to understanding the church’s identity. The church is not a building or an institution in the conventional sense, but a community of people chosen by God to live out His purposes in the world. Just as the Israelites were called out from the nations to be a holy people (Exodus 19:5-6), so too the church is called out from the world to be holy and set apart for God’s kingdom.

The Church as the "Bride of Christ"

The metaphor of the "bride of Christ" is one of the most beautiful and intimate images of the church in the New Testament. It highlights not only the church's relationship to Christ but also its future hope and destiny.

In Ephesians 5:25-27, Paul compares the relationship between husbands and wives to that of Christ and the church:

"Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her, to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to Himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless."

Here, the church is portrayed as the beloved bride of Christ, whom He loves and cherishes. Christ’s sacrificial love for the church is shown in His willingness to give Himself up for her. This act of love is not just a historical event—it has ongoing effects in the sanctification of the church. Christ continues to purify the church, washing her with His blood, and preparing her for the day when He will present her to Himself as a radiant and holy bride.

The imagery of the bride of Christ also points to the eschatological hope of the church. Just as a bride looks forward to the wedding day, the church eagerly anticipates the marriage supper of the Lamb (Revelation 19:7-9), when Christ will return in glory and unite Himself fully with His bride. This future hope compels the church to live in purity and faithfulness as she awaits her Bridegroom.

The Church as the "Body of Christ"

Another central metaphor for the church is that of the "body of Christ." This imagery, especially prevalent in Paul’s writings, emphasizes the unity and diversity of the church. In 1 Corinthians 12:12-13, Paul writes:

"Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink."

The church, as the body of Christ, is a living organism with Christ as its head. Each believer is a member of this body, uniquely gifted by the Holy Spirit to contribute to its growth and mission. Just as a physical body cannot function properly if its parts are disconnected or disjointed, the church cannot fulfill its calling unless its members are united and working together in harmony.

In this metaphor, the emphasis is on both unity and diversity. While all believers share the same identity in Christ and are empowered by the same Spirit, they are also given unique gifts and roles within the body. Some are called to be teachers, others to be encouragers, and still others to serve in various capacities (Romans 12:4-8). Each member is necessary for the health and growth of the body, and each has a role to play in advancing the mission of Christ in the world.

The Church and Israel: The Chosen People of God

To understand the full significance of the church, it is helpful to draw parallels with Israel, the people of God in the Old Testament. Israel was called out by God to be a light to the nations and to reflect His holiness to the world (Isaiah 42:6, Exodus 19:5-6). God’s covenant with Israel was based on the law and centered around the promise that He would be their God and they would be His people (Jeremiah 31:33).

The church, as the people of God in the New Covenant, is distinct from Israel in its composition but continues the mission that Israel began. Just as Israel was a chosen people, the church is also chosen by God, but now the promise extends beyond ethnic Israel to include Gentiles from every nation (Ephesians 2:14-16). The Apostle Paul emphasizes this point in Ephesians 2:19-22:

"Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of His household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the chief cornerstone."

Through Christ’s death and resurrection, the dividing wall between Jews and Gentiles has been torn down, and the church is now composed of both groups as one new people. This unity in Christ fulfills God's promise to Abraham that through his seed, all the nations of the earth would be blessed (Genesis 12:3, Galatians 3:8). The church, as the new Israel, is now the community of God's covenant people, called to proclaim His salvation to the ends of the earth.

The Church: A New Covenant People

The church represents the fulfillment of God’s promises to Israel in a new and expanded way. While the Old Covenant was based on the law and the physical nation of Israel, the New Covenant is based on grace and the spiritual transformation of God’s people through the Holy Spirit. The prophet Jeremiah foretold this new covenant in Jeremiah 31:31-34, which the writer of Hebrews quotes in Hebrews 8:10-12:

"This is the covenant I will establish with the people of Israel after that time, declares the Lord. I will put my laws in their minds and write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. No longer will they teach their neighbor, or say to one another, 'Know the Lord,' because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest. For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more."

The church is the fulfillment of this new covenant. Unlike the Old Covenant, which was marked by external rituals and sacrifices, the New Covenant is written on the hearts of believers, who are indwelt by the Holy Spirit. The church is a people who have chosen to follow Jesus, the Christ, and strive to imitate Him with the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Conclusion: The Church’s Role in God’s Kingdom

The word "church" carries deep theological meaning, revealing the identity and mission of God’s people. The church is the "called out" people of God, the bride of Christ, and the body of Christ. It is a people chosen by God to fulfill His purposes on earth, and it has been called to reflect His holiness, love, and grace to the world. As the New Israel, the church continues the mission of Israel, but now with a broader scope that includes all nations.

The church’s role in God’s kingdom is not just a future hope—it is a present reality. As the people of God, we are called to live in unity, holiness, and love, and to participate in the proclamation of the gospel to every tribe, tongue, and nation. Just as Israel was to be a light to the nations, so too the church is called to be a witness to the world of God’s grace and truth.

As we live out our calling as the church, a nation without borders and one not confined by walls, let us remember that we are a people dearly loved by Christ, sanctified by His Word, and empowered by His Spirit. And as we await the return of our Bridegroom, let us remain faithful and committed to our mission, knowing that our ultimate hope is to be united with Christ in glory.