Question: "What is the church?"

Answer: Many people today understand the church as a building. This is not a biblical understanding of the church. The word “church” comes from the Greek word ekklesia which is defined as “an assembly” or “called-out ones.” The root meaning of “church” is not that of a building, but of people. It is ironic that when you ask people what church they attend, they usually identify a building. Romans 16:5 says “… greet the church that is in their house.” Paul refers to the church in their house—not a church building, but a body of believers.

The church is the body of Christ, of which He is the head. Ephesians 1:22-23 says, “And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.” The body of Christ is made up of all believers in Jesus Christ from the day of Pentecost (Acts chapter 2) until Christ’s return. The body of Christ is comprised of two aspects:

1) The universal church consists of all those who have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. “For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink” (1 Corinthians 12:13). This verse says that anyone who believes is part of the body of Christ and has received the Spirit of Christ as evidence. The universal church of God is all those who have received salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.

2) The local church is described in Galatians 1:1-2: “Paul, an apostle … and all the brothers with me, to the churches in Galatia.” Here we see that in the province of Galatia there were many churches—what we call local churches. A Baptist church, Lutheran church, Catholic church, etc., is not the church, as in the universal church—but rather is a local church, a local body of believers. The universal church is comprised of those who belong to Christ and who have trusted Him for salvation. These members of the universal church should seek fellowship and edification in a local church.

In summary, the church is not a building or a denomination. According to the Bible, the church is the body of Christ—all those who have placed their faith in Jesus Christ for salvation (John 3:16; 1 Corinthians 12:13). Local churches are gatherings of members of the universal church. The local church is where the members of the universal church can fully apply the “body” principles of 1 Corinthians chapter 12: encouraging, teaching, and building one another up in the knowledge and grace of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Read more: http://www.gotquestions.org/what-is-the-church.html#ixzz3IHtFN8zm

Wow.....interesting.

The Church is the bride of Christ, his heart beat whom he has passionately pursued from eternity to here. The Church is the house of God, the temple of a living God built not with cement and blocks but with spirit and flesh. This temple is located at the ends of heaven and earth for it is the divine traffic of heaven and earth. The Church is the sum up of the new creatures - a group of aliens who has invaded planet earth. The Church is the family of God - the only real family that exist for all other family are a shadow and a representation of the reality which is the Church. There are nothing like Yoruba Christian, Igbo Christian, Hausa Christian or Jewish Christian for all members of the Church are of the same race and origin which is heaven and God our Father. Lastly the Church is the body of Christ. As Christ is the head Christ is also the body therefore the Church is Christ on earth. The body is meant to express the life that is in it so also the Church expresses Christ.

The Church is the Body of Christ. It comprises all who have made Christ their Lord and personal Saviour. It's the assembly of believers. Christ is its foundation. The Church isn't the aesthetic and embellished building; it's not the physical structure. It's the conglomerate of all the children of God. Jesus is the Bridegroom of the Church.

The following hymn perfectly describes the Church; it was composed by Samuel J. Stone.

The Church's one foundation
Is Jesus Christ our Lord;
She's is His new creation
By water and the Word;
From Heaven He came and sought her
to be His holy bride;
With His Own blood He bought her,
And for her life He died.

Elect from every nation,
Yet one o'er all the earth;
Her charter of salvation
One Lord, one faith, one birth
One holy name she blesses
Partakes one holy food,
And to one hope she presses,
With every grace endued.

It's such a sober and solemn hymn, signalling the unity, challenges and eventual victory!

The Church is the glory of Christ for it is through her that his power, riches, honour, blessings, victory, wisdom and love is greatly radiated in such glory. She is the most captivating thing in the whole universe. How beautiful is she for her stature is magnetic and her beauty is stunning and hypnotic. Just a pick at her beauty will what to make you lay your life for her. Last year God showed me a glimpse of her future glory and ever seen then I have laid my life, ready to do anything to make this come to pass. It is such a honour to contribute to bringing the Church to her glory.

Does this "Church" include all the millions of "denominations" and ministers that are teaching millions of contradictory doctrines...or are they excluded?

Ok

italo:
Does this "Church" include all the millions of "denominations" and ministers that are teaching millions of contradictory doctrines...or are they excluded?

You need to have a revelation of what the Church is.

It would have been wise to say "I don't know," rather than this weak attempt to evade the question

Hiswordxray:


You need to have a revelation of what the Church is.

Thé Church is thé Spirt of God in the life of every believer.

What is the church?
by Matt Slick

The Christian church can be seen in two ways: the visible and the invisible. The visible church is comprised of all who claim the name of Christian and who gather together for worship and participation of the sacraments: the Lord's Supper and Baptism. The members of the visible church claim the name of Christian (excluding the cults like the Mormons and Jehovah's Witnesses, etc.). The visible church contains both believers and non-believers; that is, there are people in the visible church who are not really saved.

The members of the invisible Church are the actual body of believers. They are the ones who are truly regenerate and have trusted, by faith, in the true Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. The true Christian is indwelt by the Lord Jesus (John 14:23) through the Holy Spirit. Therefore, the Christian church is figuratively said to be the body of Christ.

Rom. 12:5, "So we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another."
Eph. 4:12, "For the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ."

The word "church" comes from the Greek "ekklesia" which means "gathering" or "assembly." Therefore, the church is the gathering of the believers who come together to participate in fellowship with one another as they worship God and hear from His Word, the Bible. The church as a whole has been equipped with people possessing different spiritual gifts (Rom. 12:5-8.) The purpose of the gifts is "for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ." (Eph. 4:12-13).

The Christian church was founded by Jesus, and He is its Head and Saviour (Col. 1:18; Eph. 5:23). Being in the church, the Christian is subject to the Lordship of Jesus (Eph. 5:24) through the administration of the Word of God.

The Bible does not provide a detailed method of Church government. But, it does state that there are to be elders who govern in the church. These elders are appointed by the laying on of hands (1 Tim. 4:14; 2 Tim. 1:6). They are to be able to teach sound doctrine and refute error (Titus 1:9; 1 Tim. 3:2).

The purpose of the church is to both glorify God and to inform the world about the work of Christ as Redeemer.

http://carm.org/church

1. Does the visible Church hold on to millions of contradictory doctrines, as is seen today among those who claim to be Christians and claim to partake in the sacraments you mentioned?


2. Does the invisible Church hold on to millions of contradictory doctrines?

italo:
1. Does the visible Church hold on to millions of contradictory doctrines, as is seen today among those who claim to be Christians and claim to partake in the sacraments you mentioned?


2. Does the invisible Church hold on to millions of contradictory doctrines?

And how important is doctrine to Church?

italo:
1. Does the visible Church hold on to millions of contradictory doctrines, as is seen today among those who claim to be Christians and claim to partake in the sacraments you mentioned?


2. Does the invisible Church hold on to millions of contradictory doctrines?

The Church does not live by doctrine but as the body of Christ she expresses the life within her. The body is meant to express the life inside of it and that is what the Church does, she does not need doctrines or religious practices she simply expresses the life of Christ deposited in her through the word of God.

Hiswordxray:

The Church does not live by doctrine but as the body of Christ she expresses the life within her. The body is meant to express the life inside of it and that is what the Church does, she does not need doctrines or religious practices she simply expresses the life of Christ deposited in her through the word of God.

Acts 2:42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching (doctrine) and fellowship, to the breaking of bread (religious practice) and the prayers.

Obviously, you are not a part of the Church of the apostles.

It is safe to call you a false teacher. No?

Cc PastorAIO

Other verses:

Titus 2:1 But as for you, teach what is consistent with sound doctrine

2 John 1:9 Everyone who does not abide in the teaching of Christ, but goes beyond it, does not have God; whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. 10 Do not receive into the house or welcome anyone who comes to you and does not bring this teaching;

Then read Acts 15 to see how seriously the early Church took disputes in doctrine.

italo:


Acts 2:42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching (doctrine) and fellowship, to the breaking of bread (religious practice) and the prayers.

Obviously, you are not a part of the Church of the apostles.

It is safe to call you a false teacher. No?

Cc PastorAIO

Other verses:

Titus 2:1 But as for you, teach what is consistent with sound doctrine

2 John 1:9 Everyone who does not abide in the teaching of Christ, but goes beyond it, does not have God; whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. 10 Do not receive into the house or welcome anyone who comes to you and does not bring this teaching;

Then read Acts 15 to see how seriously the early Church took disputes in doctrine.

It really baffles me how "bible alone" institutions don't even know the bible. SMH. 1Tim 6:4-5 comes to mind....

"he is proud, knowing nothing, but is obsessed with disputes and arguments over words, from which come envy, strife, reviling, evil suspicions, useless wranglings[a] of men of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. From such withdraw yourself"

italo:
1. Does the visible Church hold on to millions of contradictory doctrines, as is seen today among those who claim to be Christians and claim to partake in the sacraments you mentioned?


2. Does the invisible Church hold on to millions of contradictory doctrines?

The church is the body of Christ, body parts are different from one another in a sense but in cohesion in the big picture.

Image123:


The church is the body of Christ, body parts are different from one another in a sense but in cohesion in the big picture.

You just side-stepped the questions because answering them will expose the falsehood in your teaching.

No?

italo:
You just side-stepped the questions because answering them will expose the falsehood in your teaching.

No?

What is the falsehood in what i said? What is the truth?

Nevermind.

let me await someone who can sincerely answer the questions

Image123:


What is the falsehood in what i said? What is the truth?

italo:
Nevermind.

let me await someone who can sincerely answer the questions

What is the falsehood in what i said? What is the truth? i guess it stuck in your throat or you couldn't prove your allegations.

Image123:


What is the falsehood in what i said? What is the truth? i guess it stuck in your throat or you couldn't prove your allegations.

My allegation was that you side-stepped the question because answering it would expose the falsehood in your teaching (not your post).

I stand by it.

And, if it will help you digest your lunch....it stuck in my throat.

Image123:


The church is the body of Christ, body parts are different from one another in a sense but in cohesion in the big picture.

There is a traditional yoruba prayer that Where your Head wants to go, May your feet take you there.

Body parts may be different, but if they don't share the same agenda, na confusion be that o!

I guess Italo was asking whether it is possible for the church to have so many different doctrines and still remain the church. Not whether there are different parts. some are healers, some are prophets bla bla bla, some are deacons bla bla bla, but each of these people are not going to carry a different doctrine on their head.

PastorAIO:


There is a traditional yoruba prayer that Where your Head wants to go, May your feet take you there.

Body parts may be different, but if they don't share the same agenda, na confusion be that o!

I guess Italo was asking whether it is possible for the church to have so many different doctrines and still remain the church. Not whether there are different parts. some are healers, some are prophets bla bla bla, some are deacons bla bla bla, but each of these people are not going to carry a different doctrine on their head.

The Church is messed up right now but God is doing something about it.
She will grow in unity because that is the way God wants it and God never fail.

italo:


My allegation was that you side-stepped the question because answering it would expose the falsehood in your teaching (not your post).

I stand by it.

And, if it will help you digest your lunch....it stuck in my throat.

As for what is stuck in your throat, use some garri. It would help you, though too much can blind you ihear. What is my teaching?

PastorAIO:


There is a traditional yoruba prayer that Where your Head wants to go, May your feet take you there.

Body parts may be different, but if they don't share the same agenda, na confusion be that o!

I guess Italo was asking whether it is possible for the church to have so many different doctrines and still remain the church. Not whether there are different parts. some are healers, some are prophets bla bla bla, some are deacons bla bla bla, but each of these people are not going to carry a different doctrine on their head.

Of course. If that's what italo is asking, of course i agree with what you posted.

Hiswordxray:

The Church is messed up right now but God is doing something about it.
She will grow in unity because that is the way God wants it and God never fail.

Here are the questions, hoping you are ready to give a sincere answer this time.

1. Does the visible Church hold on to millions of contradictory doctrines, as is seen today among those who claim to be Christians and claim to partake in the sacraments you mentioned?


2. Does the invisible Church hold on to millions of contradictory doctrines?

Image123:


Of course. If that's what italo is asking, of course i agree with what you posted.

As if you didnt know what I was asking. Such clear and concise questions.

Image123:


As for what is stuck in your throat, use some garri. It would help you, though too much can blind you ihear. What is my teaching?

I deliberately made an assumption and asked a question at the same time.

I dont know what your teaching is...but I know the way people with false teachings treat such simple questions.

italo:


I deliberately made an assumption and asked a question at the same time.

I dont know what your teaching is...but I know the way people with false teachings treat such simple questions.

Duh.

italo:


As if you didnt know what I was asking. Such clear and concise questions.

no, what you asked is different from what aio expressed.

Yes. Twelve is different from one dozen.

Image123:


no, what you asked is different from what aio expressed.