The term "church" in the Christian context refers to the assembly or gathering of believers in Jesus Christ. The Greek word "ekklesia," often translated as "church," literally means "called-out ones" and was used in the New Testament to describe the community of Christians who are set apart for worship, fellowship, and service. The church is not merely a physical building but a spiritual body composed of individuals who have placed their faith in Christ.

Biblical Foundation

The concept of the church as an assembly of the saints is rooted in the teachings of Jesus and the apostles. In Matthew 16:18, Jesus declares, "And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it." This statement underscores the divine origin and enduring nature of the church, established by Christ Himself.

The early church is depicted in the Book of Acts as a vibrant community of believers who devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayer (Acts 2:42). This assembly of saints was characterized by unity and mutual care, as seen in Acts 4:32: "All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had."

The Body of Christ

The Apostle Paul frequently uses the metaphor of the body to describe the church, emphasizing the interconnectedness and interdependence of its members. In 1 Corinthians 12:27, he writes, "Now you are the body of Christ, and each of you is a member of it." This imagery highlights the diversity of gifts and functions within the church, all contributing to the growth and edification of the whole.

Paul further elaborates on this concept in Ephesians 4:11-13, where he explains that Christ gave various leaders to the church "to equip the saints for works of ministry, to build up the body of Christ, until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God, as we mature to the full measure of the stature of Christ."

The Bride of Christ

Another significant biblical image of the church is that of the bride of Christ. This metaphor conveys the intimate and covenantal relationship between Christ and His church. In Ephesians 5:25-27, Paul instructs husbands to love their wives as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her, "to sanctify her, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to Himself as a glorious church, without stain or wrinkle or any such blemish, but holy and blameless."

The Pillar and Foundation of Truth

The church is also described as the "pillar and foundation of the truth" in 1 Timothy 3:15. This designation underscores the church's role in upholding and proclaiming the truth of the Gospel. The assembly of the saints is entrusted with the responsibility of teaching sound doctrine, refuting false teachings, and living out the truth in love.

Worship and Sacraments

Worship is central to the life of the church, as believers gather to glorify God through song, prayer, and the reading and preaching of Scripture. The sacraments, particularly baptism and the Lord's Supper, are vital practices within the church. Baptism signifies the believer's identification with Christ's death and resurrection, while the Lord's Supper is a commemoration of Christ's sacrifice and a means of grace for the believer.

Mission and Evangelism

The church is commissioned to make disciples of all nations, as commanded by Jesus in the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20). This mission involves evangelism, teaching, and baptizing new believers, as well as serving as a witness to the transformative power of the Gospel in the world.

In summary, the church as the assembly of the saints is a divinely instituted community, called to worship, edify, and evangelize, reflecting the love and holiness of Christ in a fallen world.Psalm 89:7
God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints, and to be had in reverence of all them that are about him.
Nave's Topical Index

1577. ekklesia -- an assembly, a (religious) congregation
... meeting, especially a religious congregation (Jewish synagogue, or Christian community
of members on earth or saints in heaven or both) -- assembly, church. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1577.htm - 8k

Of Constantine's Oration which He Wrote to the Assembly of the ...
... to annex, by way of specimen, to this present work, that one, I mean, which he
inscribed "To the assembly of the saints," and dedicated to the Church of God ...
/.../the life of constantine/chapter xxxii of constantines oration which.htm

An Appeal to the Church and to his Hearers to Pardon and Correct ...
... The Oration of the emperor constantine, which he addressed "to the assembly of the
saints." Chapter II."An Appeal to the Church and to his Hearers to pardon ...
/.../pamphilius/the life of constantine/chapter ii an appeal to the.htm

I Believe in the Holy Ghost; the Holy Christian Church, the ...
... eine Gemeinschaft der Heiligen, a communion of saints. ... properly means in German eine
Versammlung, an assembly. ... we are accustomed to the word church, by which ...
//christianbookshelf.org/luther/the large catechism/i believe in the holy.htm

Of Decius, Valerian, and Aurelian, who Experienced a Miserable End ...
... assembly of the saints." Chapter XXIV."Of Decius, Valerian, and Aurelian, who
experienced a Miserable End in consequence of their Persecution of the Church. ...
/.../pamphilius/the life of constantine/chapter xxiv of decius valerian and.htm

That this Prophecy Respecting Our Saviour was not the Fiction of ...
... to the assembly of the saints." Chapter XIX."That this Prophecy respecting our Saviour
was not the Fiction of any Member of the Christian Church, but the ...
/.../the life of constantine/chapter xix that this prophecy respecting.htm

Of Diocletian, who Ignobly Abdicated the Imperial Throne, and was ...
... of the emperor constantine, which he addressed "to the assembly of the saints."
Chapter XXV ... by the Dread of Lightning for his Persecution of the Church. ...
/.../pamphilius/the life of constantine/chapter xxv of diocletian who ignobly.htm

The Westminster Standards in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.
... so doing, the Synod and General Assembly only exercised ... The Cumberland Church has
since spread rapidly, and ... on the other the final perseverance of the saints. ...
/.../ 99 the westminster standards.htm

On the Power of the Church in Administering Justice, or on ...
... to be rejected from this communion more than from that, since he has rendered himself
unworthy to obtain any place in the church and the assembly of saints. ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 2/disputation lvii on the power.htm

The Woman with the Male Child in the Wilderness the Church; the ...
... The Wilderness Belongs to Virgins and Saints; The Perfection ... as we have explained,
our mother the Church. ... dispensation, when, coming into the assembly in the ...
/.../chapter xi the woman with the.htm

The Doctrine of the Church i. Definition; Distinctions.
... The Christian Church is a New Testament institution, beginning with ... Acts 7:38), and
of the assembly of believers ... In keeping with this idea the saints are said ...
/.../evans/the great doctrines of the bible/the doctrine of the church.htm

Is the Church of Christ a good biblical church? | GotQuestions.org

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Church: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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