The church described in the Bible is not a denomination, sect, political or social organization, or building. It is the spiritual body of Christ, called out of the world by obeying and following Jesus. The church appears universally as all believers and locally in specific congregations. It is pictured in the Bible as the body of Christ, household of God, kingdom of God with Christ as King, and as a vineyard. One can become part of the church by hearing the gospel, believing, repenting of sins, confessing faith, and being baptized into Christ.

1. The Meaning of the ChurchMatthew 16:18

2. Introduction: Many have questions about the church that you can read about in the New Testament of your Bible. No one denies that the bible talks about a church, but, whose church is it, which church, etc.? In view of so much religious division today, these kind of questions need to be answered and answered only by the Bible!

3. What the Church Is Not… The church as described in the Bible is… Not Catholic! (word never found in the Bible) Col. 3:17 Not Protestant! (not found) Not Jewish! (church for all Rom. 1:16; Lk. 24:47; Ac. 2:39) Not denominational! (not to add teaching of man Matt. 15:9; Rev. 22:18-19) Not inter-denominational! (“combo” of man-made churches)

4. What the Church Is Not… The church as described in the Bible is… Not sectarian! (to be unified in Christ! 1 Cor. 1:9-17; Gal 3:28) Not a political organization! (An all encompassing spiritual kingdom Dan. 2:44; Acts 8:4; Luke 17:21) Not another social organization! (Gk. “koinonia” = joint participation in God-ordained spiritual matters Ac. 2:42) Not a material meeting house, building or cathedral!(Gk. “ekklesia” = called out people Acts 2:47)

5. What the church is… The church is a called out body of people. The Gk. “Ekklesia,” means “the called out.” The church is a called out group of people called out from the world and into the kingdom of God’s dear son. Col. 1:13 We are called out when we hear and obey Jesus! Heb. 5:9; Rom. 6:17-18 The church is the spiritual body of Christ. 1 Cor. 12:27; Mk. 16:16; Acts 2:47

6. The Church Appears In Two Senses… The universal sense: Matthew 16:18 The local sense: Romans 16:16; 1 Cor. 1:2; Eph. 1:1; Phil. 1:1 It is simple to see when denominationalism is forgotten and one goes to the Bible and sees the church as the Lord made it.

7. To Help Us Understand Better,The Bible Pictures the Church… As the body of Christ… Eph. 5:23; 4:4; Col. 1:18 As the household of God… 1 Tim. 3:15; Gal. 3:26-27; Eph. 1:3 As the kingdom of God… Rev. 17:14; 1 Tim. 6:15; Acts 8:12; Eph. 2:19; 1 Thes. 1:8; Mt. 26:28 4 things necessary to constitute a kingdom: A King (Christ), Subjects (Christians), Territory (the world), Law (New Testament) As the vineyard of the Lord… Jn. 15:1-8 Christ is the Vine and Christians are the branches.

8. You Can Be A Part Of Jesus’ New Testament Church Today! The means of entrance into Christ’s church… Hear the Truth of the gospel – 1 Cor. 15:1-4 Believe God’s gospel – Rom. 10:9 Repent of sin – Acts 3:19 Confess your faith in Christ Jesus – Acts 8:37 Be Baptized into Christ and His body the church! – Gal. 3:27; 1 Cor. 12:13 Then, be faithful – Mt. 28:20; Rev. 2:10