Understanding the word church from Christ’s perspective

The church from Christ’s perspective is what I want to look at

The word ‘church’ is not just a popular name in the world but also a popular name in the Bible, and I believe it was adopted from the Bible. As a matter of fact, it appeared (in the singular and plural) about 114 times in the New Testament. But have you really thought about that word in light of what it truly represent? Have you checked where it was used, how it was used, and to whom it referred to? Possibly, no, or maybe yes, but you didn’t take notice. Let’s see it from Christ’s perspective

Everywhere in the Bible where the word ‘church’ was used never referred to a physical building. Christ himself used the word church not in reference to any physical structure but to his own people – believers. That is to say, when Christ talks of the church, he talks of his people – the believers

The world’s definition of Church

It is a static physical building where religious people go to, or gather to worship God

Christ’s definition of Church

They are those who have been redeemed by the Blood of the Lamb through repentance and Salvation. They are the spiritual building of God where his Holy Spirit dwell. They are the ‘called-out’ – Ecclesia. They are children of God

The English Dictionary also defines it as, Christ’s followers (Christians) collectively seen as a single spiritual community;
These worshippers make up the Church of Christ.

You see that the church is more than a building, but rather, it is each believer’s identification with Christ through a re-birth

Matthew 16:18
“And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”

This was Christ talking to Peter. “Christ added that he had named him Peter, in allusion to his stability or firmness in professing the truth. The word translated rock is not the same as Peter, but is of a similar meaning. Nothing is more wrong than to suppose that Christ meant the person of Peter was the rock. Without doubt, Christ himself is the Rock, the tried foundation of the church” – Matthew Henry Bible Commentary. In Him lies the strength of the church, and by Him they stand. It is possible for some to erroneously think Peter to be this rock but Christ is the only One upon which the church (children of God) stand.

[perfectpullquote align=”full” bordertop=”false” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]”It was a spiritual truth to Peter and which will
only be spiritually discerned.”[/perfectpullquote]

So what do you think, or rather, what can you say about your own definition of church?

Time to leave your church

Which church are you in? (a) The world’s church (b) God’s church (c) none of the above. If your answer is (a) or (c), then it’s time to leave your church! And don’t bother to say it’s all of the above because it’s not possible

Matthew 6:24
“No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.”

Coming into God’s church is one of the best things that will ever happen to you, and guess what, Christ has made it so easy for everyone. Just believe him when he says, “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” – Romans 10:13. Just call upon him with a sincere heart and mean everything you say

 

Christ’s coming for the church

Christ still has open arms to as many who still want to be part of his church. Also, the physical building is not just a place for children of God, but is also a home of refuge widely open for the broken, the lost, the downcast to come in and receive the Savior. The purpose is to gather children far and near from every tribe, tongue or nation into God’s family. This invisible church will not remain on the earth for ever, they will one day go to there rightful home to be with their Father. Christ is coming again for his church, not for the physical edifice but for the invisible church, those in whom dwells his holy spirit (Colossians 1:27) – this is the second coming. Are you part of this church? The physical building is good but that would not be what He’s coming for, he’s coming for your soul and you in particular.