Definition and nature of the Church
The church is the people of God in Christ, called out by the gospel and joined together by the Holy Spirit. In the New Testament, it can refer to all true believers everywhere or to a local gathered congregation.
At a Glance
The church is the people of God in Christ, called out by the gospel and joined together by the Holy Spirit. In the New Testament, it can refer to all true believers everywhere or to a local gathered congregation.
Description
In Scripture, the church is the assembly of those who belong to God through faith in Jesus Christ. The New Testament uses the term for both the universal church—all believers united to Christ across times and places—and for local congregations that meet for worship, instruction, fellowship, prayer, ordinances, and gospel witness. The church is called the body of Christ, the household of God, and the bride of Christ, showing both its spiritual union with Christ and its visible life in ordered communities. Its nature is therefore both spiritual and communal: it is created by God’s saving work, indwelt and gifted by the Holy Spirit, and called to holiness, unity, discipleship, and faithful testimony in the world. While Christian traditions differ on some questions about church structure and boundaries, the basic biblical meaning is clear and publication-safe.
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