CHURCH
Rev. Dr. Michael T. Welhous

So often we hear such statements as “What church do you go to?” or “Are you going to church this week?” and the all-time popular, “I wish we could find a good church to go to.”

The contemporary Christian, however, should find it comforting to know that none of these statements and sentiments is found in the Holy Scriptures. Simply put, Jesus and his apostles, nor the earliest Christians ever used the word “church” the way the majority of contemporary Christians do. Today’s usage of the word is Scripturally incorrect!

The term “church,” i.e. ekklesia (ek-klay-see’-ah) as it occurs in the New Testament portion of the Holy Scriptures, NEVER once refers to a building, but ALWAYS refers to a gathering or assembly of people.

According to the Online Bible Greek Lexicon, the term church is defined as follows:

“1) a gathering of citizens called out from their homes into some public place, an assembly
1a) an assembly of the people convened at the public place of the council for the purpose of deliberating
1b) the assembly of the Israelites
1c) any gathering or throng of men assembled by chance, tumultuously
1d) in a Christian sense
1d1) an assembly of Christians gathered for worship in a religious meeting
1d2) a company of Christians, or of those who, hoping for eternal salvation through Jesus Christ, observe their own religious rites, hold their own religious meetings, and manage their own affairs, according to regulations prescribed for the body for order’s sake
1d3) those who anywhere, in a city, village, constitute such a company and are united into one body
1d4) the whole body of Christians scattered throughout the earth
1d5) the assembly of faithful Christians already dead…”

The following are just a few Scriptural examples of how the word church is used. Notice again that the word used focuses on the gathering of people and NOT the place. In addition, notice that four of the references clearly mention that the gatherings or assemblies were in homes. All of the following references have been taken from the King James Version of the Holy Bible.

“And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.” (Matthew 18:17)

“And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things.” (Acts 5:11)

“This is he, that was in the church in the wilderness with the angel which spake to him in the mount Sina, and with our fathers: who received the lively oracles to give unto us:” (Acts 7:38)

“And when they were come, and had gathered the church together, they rehearsed all that God had done with them, and how he had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles.” (Acts 14:27)

“And when he had landed at Caesarea, and gone up, and saluted the church, he went down to Antioch.” (Acts 18:22)

“Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.” (Acts 20:28)

“Likewise greet the church that is in their house. Salute my well beloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia unto Christ.” (Romans 16:5)

“For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.” (1 Corinthians 15:9)

“The churches of Asia salute you. Aquila and Priscilla salute you much in the Lord, with the church that is in their house.” (1 Corinthians 16:19)

“For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews’ religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it:” (Galatians 1:13)

“Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.” (Philippians 3:6)

“Salute the brethren which are in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the church which is in his house.” (Colossians 4:15)

“And to our beloved Apphia, and Archippus our fellowsoldier, and to the church in thy house:” (Philemon 1:2)

The following references also contain the Greek word ekklesia. Here the translators chose to render it by the English word “assembly.” More contemporary translations consistently translate ekklesia as such throughout the entire New Testament, because it is simply more accurate than the word “church.”

“Some therefore cried one thing, and some another: for the assembly was confused; and the more part knew not wherefore they were come together.” (Acts 19:32)

“But if ye enquire any thing concerning other matters, it shall be determined in a lawful assembly.” (Acts 19:39)

“And when he had thus spoken, he dismissed the assembly.” (Acts 19:41)

We must not think as the world thinks, or as others who call themselves Christians, yet continue to think as the world thinks. Know in your heart what is Scripturally correct, and confidently abide by that which is written. We are the “church.” We need not “go to a church.”

“And be not conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, in order to prove by you what is the good and pleasing and perfect will of God.” (Romans 12:2, The Literal Translation of the Holy Bible)

The writer of the letter to the Hebrew Christians reminded the believers in his day that they should be “not forsaking the assembling together of ourselves, as is the custom of some, but exhorting, and by so much more as you see the Day drawing near.” (Hebrews 10:25, LITV) Nowhere will you find a command given to assemble in any particular place.

In addition, Jesus also said, “For where two or three are gathered together in my
name, there am I in the midst of them.” (Matthew 18:20, KJV)

“Where two or three are gathered together” in Jesus’ name can be anywhere! In the backyard of
someone’s home to a blanket on a beach! Do not let anyone convince you otherwise!

“…the hour is coming when neither on this mountain, nor in Jerusalem will ye worship the Father …But an hour comes, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for also the Father seeks such kind who worship him. God is Spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” (John 4:21, 23-24, A Conservative Version)