A11.2 – WHAT DOES THE WORD ‘CHURCH’ MEAN?

1. The word, “Church” is translated from the Greek word “ekklesia,” meaning “a called-out body of people.” 1 Cor 1:2

2. The Church is a gathering of people for religious worship of God, 2 Chron 20:4-6

3. The word Church can be used to mean all Christians. It means the invincible Church or the Church universal. This is made up of two groups: the Church triumphant (all Christians that have slept in the Lord since the Church began); and the Church militant (all Christians that are still alive), Matt 16:18-19

4. The word Church can also be used to mean a particular group or congregation of Christians, Matt 18:17

6. The Church is made up of the people that respond to the call of God out of the world of sin through the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, Acts 2:46-47

7. The Church is the “Called-Out” Body. The Church is an assembly of called-out people from the world into God’s service, 1 Thess 1:1

a) Every individual Christian is called of God – a divine calling, 2 Tim 1:9

b) Every individual Christian is called into fellowship and peace of Christ – Into one Body

c) Every individual Christian is called to be a child of God, Rom 9:25-26

d) Every individual Christian is called to be Saints, 1 Cor 1:2

e) Every individual Christian is called to live a holy life, 1 Thess 4:7-8

f) Every individual Christian is called to make it to heaven at last, Heb 3:1