What is the Church?

Riding south on 77 through Chipley, Florida, you can look to your right a couple of streets away and see the steeple of First Presbyterian Church. Keep on going, and your left, you’ll see Connections Worship Center. When you take a right on Main St., you see New Life fellowship on the right and First United Methodist on your left. Headed towards Bonifay on 90, you’ll see the Church of God of Prophecy, St. Matthew’s Episcopal church, and the House of Healing UPC. 

These are just a small handful of churches in our community, and it can be overwhelming if this is your first time looking for one. So, whether you are a long-time member of your church, trying out church for the first time, or someone who has stepped away from church for a season in your life, I want to ask and answer some of the most common questions about what a “church” is.

What really is “the Church?”

First, it’s important to note what the church is NOT. The bricks on the outside of the building do not represent the church. The property the building sits on is not the church. The land, cemetery, the sign by the road , and even the sanctuary is not the church. 

The Church is the people. 

This isn’t a nuanced idea, this understanding of the church goes all the way back to its origin, which you can read about in the book of Acts. The Greek word used for “Church” is Ekklesia, which means, “The Called-Out Ones.” The church is a family of believers who have been redeemed by Jesus Christ. “Called-Out” simply means that believers have been called out of a life of sin and called into a relationship with Jesus.

In Matthew 16:15, Jesus asks an important question to his disciples: “Who do you say that I am?” Peter rightly answered this question, “You are the Christ, the son of the Living God.” Peter’s response demonstrated that he confessed Jesus as Lord, in faith. Jesus’ reply in verse 18 was, “And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”

This rock Jesus was referring to was the confession that Peter had just made. Notice the possession of Christ’s words, “I will build MY church.” The church belongs to Christ. Who is the church? The people of God who make the same profession of faith that Peter did. There exists here a strong declaration from Christ that “the gates of hell will not prevail against it.” No matter what spiritually dark things happen in culture and in our world, the church of Jesus Christ will stand and can thrive, because Jesus will preserve His church.

In Theology for the Church, Mark Dever notes, “Christ founded the church (Matt 16:18), purchased it with his blood (Acts 20:28), and intimately identifies himself with it (Acts 9:4). The church is the body of Christ (1 Cor 12:12–27; Eph 1:23; 4:12; 5:23–32; Col 1:18, 24; 3:15), the dwelling place of his Spirit (Rom 8:9, 11, 16; 1 Cor 3:16–17; 6:11, 15–17; Eph 2:18, 22; 4:4), and the chief instrument for glorifying God in the world.” (Akin, A Theology for the Church, p. 603)

What is the Difference between the Universal Church and the Local Church?

In scripture there are two uses for the word “church.” It’s used in a local sense and in a universal sense. The Universal Church represents all believers who have ever trusted in Christ for salvation. We are characterized by our unity with Him. So, a believer from a Baptist church in Jackson, Wyoming and a believer from a Presbyterian church in Miami can both say, “We are part of the Church, because we are the redeemed people of God.”

The Local church is more understood from another Greek word, koinonia, or fellowship. A fellowship is understood in a local sense. For example, Paul wrote in the New Testament to the fellowship at Galatia and the fellowship of Corinth among others. These letters were written specifically to a local church in those city-states. But, since they are written to members of the church, they can be understood as instruction for believers in other churches, which is why we apply Pauline instructions to our churches as believers today. So when the word “Church” is used, it can be used in both a universal and a local sense.

Why isn’t there just one church in every community that all believers go to, instead of all the churches with different names?

The answer to this question is complicated but I’ll try to keep it simple. One of the reasons is that it is the result of the spread of the gospel and the large population of believers in our area.. Some states are not as fortunate to have so many options, but we currently live in what some have referred to as “the Bible Belt.” In our area, many people identify as Christians and geographically, demand needs supply. 

But another reason is because of our disagreement with other believers regarding certain crucial passages of scripture. The Bible is a compiled collection of 66 books traversing different literary styles, with more than 40 different authors, written from 3 different continents and in 3 different languages. While we believe the Bible is the perfect, inspired Word of God, we are not perfect, inspired people. Believers from different backgrounds can read a passage of the Bible and come away with different conclusions on some matters.

For example, Baptists and Pentecostal / Charismatic churches mainly differ on the understanding and application of spiritual gifts given by the Holy Spirit. Methodists differ from Presbyterian churches when it comes to church governance and polity. Historically, these theological and hermeneutical differences have created tensions from one believer to the next. Each local church is autonomous and can make their own decisions, but denominations have helped create kindred unity between churches. First Baptist Church Chipley and Live Oak Baptist Vernon may have different styles of worship. But the people will most likely interpret scripture with similar convictions and similar theology. And while Baptists may differ from Charismatic churches, they can still maintain friendship with them because of our unity in Christ, which is the most important factor.

I can worship alongside of my brothers in the tradition of the Pentecostals, the Methodists, the Presbyterians, and the Assemblies, because we have been redeemed by the same Christ. I may differ with them them on certain doctrinal matters, but they are still by brothers and sisters in Christ.

Should Protestant Churches be in rivalry with one another?

There are primary matters that unifies churches from one denomination to another. We believe that Christ is the only way to salvation. We believe it is our responsibility to make disciples of all nations. We believe that our God is sovereign and holy, and worthy of worship. But there are secondary and tertiary matters that we can disagree on in love. Rather than steal members away from their churches, we should encourage them to be faithful in whatever church they belong to. 

I’m writing this as a Southern Baptist. I believe when it comes to all of our doctrinal stances, we are as solid as it gets theologically. We are committed to the word. We have a great tradition. We are doctrinally sound. But that does not mean that I’m in a competitive rivalry with Assembly down the road. I want their church to grow and thrive in the same way I desire mine.

Should Protestant Churches be in Rivalry with different religions?

As Christians, we are called to address false teaching, false teachers, and false religions. We are called to oppose them and correct them. In a sense, yes we are in disagreement with religions that use the name of God to promote a system of religion that goes against the word of God. Our disagreement with Muslims, Jehovah’s Witnesses’, Mormons, and other cults and worldviews are disagreements one primary, gospel issues. When I meet someone from one of those religions or another, it should be my priority to defend the word of God, to correct false teaching, and to call them into a right relationship with God through Christ. We would do a disservice to the Lord and His Kingdom by affirming their religion and resting on their belief system.

If I’m a believer, do I really need to go to church? 

I’ve heard this question from a lot of people over the years. But I think asking this kind of question reveals the heart of someone who is genuinely missing out on the beauty of God’s gathering of people. The reality is that you need the church, and the church needs you. Your local church will be your extended family, who will love you, help you, hold you accountable, and walk with you through every season of life. But as a believer, you have been given spiritual gifts to use to edify the body of Christ yourself. The church needs you to be you as you walk with the Lord, holding hands with your family. 

What really is the church? The church is a gathering of people who have been redeemed by the blood of Christ. And we truly have been “called-out” to live as followers of Christ our Lord.