TO EVERYONE WHO READS THIS PAGE, we offer this study out of love for you and love for God's Word, so...with an open heart, an open mind and an open Bible..."...search the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so..." (Acts 17:11)

When most people say "church", they are speaking of either their "home congregation" or their "denomination". For just a moment, take a step back from that concept of "church", and let's look at how the Bible presents "the church" that Jesus bought with His blood (Ephesians 5:25). When we say, "the church of Christ", it is a statement of ownership - not the name of a human organization. Indeed, it is THE LORD'S CHURCH (Matthew 16:18), just as Jesus claimed it. The church "OF" Christ is the church that "BELONGS" to Christ.

The church of Christ is "THE CALLED OUT"
The Greek word "ekklesia" is translated "church" in the New Testament. It means "called out" and was a common term for "an assembly of called out people". As used in Scripture, the word simply denotes the redeemed... the saved... those forgiven of their sins. The "church" is those who are called out of the way of sin into the way of salvation by Jesus Christ. Christians (those who make up the church) are referred to as "the called in Christ Jesus" in Jude, verse 1. In Acts 2:38-39, Peter explains that those convicted of sins must repent and be baptized (immersed in water) for the forgiveness of sins and to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit (which is eternal life). Then he says these promises are for those he was speaking to and "even as many as the Lord our God shall call". Paul teaches that people are "called" by the gospel (2 Thessalonians 2:14). God's promise of providential care is for those who love Him and who are "called according to His purpose" (Romans 8:28). God's purpose is to forgive sinners (Ephesians 3:10-11 and I Peter 1:18-20). Forgiven sinners are placed in "the church" by God (Acts 2:47 and Colossians 1:13-14).

The church of Christ is "THE KINGDOM"
Jesus foretold that the kingdom He preached would come in power before the death of most of His disciples (Mark 9:1). On the day of Pentecost following Jesus' death, burial, resurrection and ascension (Acts chapter 2), the kingdom indeed came in power - and only Judas Iscariot was not still alive on that day (Matthew 27:5). When Jesus taught of "my church" (Matthew 16:18-19), He used "kingdom of the heavens" interchangeably with "church". Jesus also used "kingdom of the heavens" interchangeably with "kingdom of God" in Matthew 19:23-24. Paul teaches that it is into the "kingdom" of God's "beloved Son" that Christians are placed (Acts 2:47) and have "redemption... the forgiveness of sins" (Colossians 1:13-14).

The church of Christ is "THE BODY OF CHRIST"
Paul gives us tremendous insight into the concept and the reality of the "church". He explicitly states that the "body of Christ" is the "church of Christ" (Colossians 1:18). A few verses later he writes that Christ suffered "for the sake of His body, which is the church" (Colossians 1:24). Paul said that God gave Jesus to be "head over all things to the church, which is His body" (Ephesians 1:22-23). In that same letter, Paul says there is but ONE body (Ephesians 4:4) and that we are "called" in one hope. If there is one body, then there is but one church. Interestingly, Paul also teaches that Christians were baptized (immersed) into ONE body (1 Corinthians 12:13).

The church of Christ is "THE BRIDE OF CHRIST"
The church is presented in a vision to John as Christ's bride (Revelation 19:7-9 and 21:9). Paul uses this same description of the church while explaining the change from the Law of Moses to the church of Christ (Romans 7:4). To the Christians in Corinth, Paul wrote that he "betrothed you to one husband, to present you as a pure virgin to Christ" (2 Corinthians 11:2).