There seems to be a misconception today as to what the church really is, many Christians think of a white building with a cross and a sign out front when the word church comes to mind. Is this definition accurate, not really. ? Only Somewhat.
While it's true that modern definitions label the church as the building christians gather in, if we look at the websters 1828 as well as biblical context passages we see that isn't always case; in fact I challenge my readers to cite any bible verses that use the word church to indicate a building.
The word church in the NT comes from the Greek word Ekklesia which is defined as "a called out assembly or congregation". In many contexts this word ecclesia is referring to the people who make up the NT church, It isn't referring to a man made structure.
Let's take a look at some definitions of the word "church".
CHURCH, noun
1. A house consecrated to the worship of God, among Christians; the Lords house. This seems to be the original meaning of the word. The Greek, to call out or call together, denotes an assembly or collection. But, Lord, a term applied by the early Christians to Jesus Christ; and the house in which they worshipped was named from the title. So church goods, bona ecclesiastica; the Lords day, dies dominica.
2. The collective body of Christians, or of those who profess to believe in Christ, and acknowledge him to be the Savior of mankind. In this sense, the church is sometimes called the Catholic or Universal church
3. A particular number of Christians, united under one form of ecclesiastical government, in one creed, and using the same ritual and ceremonies; as the English church; the Gallican church; the Presbyterian church; the Romish church; the Greek church
4. The followers of Christ in a particular city or province; as the church of Ephesus, or of Antioch.
5. The disciples of Christ assembled for worship in a particular place, as in a private house. Colossians 4:15.
6. The worshipers of Jehovah or the true God, before the advent of Christ; as the Jewish church
7. The body of clergy, or ecclesiastics, in distinction from the laity. Hence, ecclesiastical authority.
8. An assembly of sacred rulers convened in Christs name to execute his laws.
9. The collective body of Christians, who have made a public profession of the Christian religion, and who are united under the same pastor; in distinction from those who belong to the same parish, or ecclesiastical society, but have made no profession of their faith.
For this article I will be focusing on definition 5.
Now lets look at some bible passages to show that the word church is referring to a group of believers and not a building. Here we have communication with the church (Mat 18:17, Rev 2:7), This passage shows the church experienced fear (Act 5:11), it was also persecuted against (Act 8:1, Gal 1:13). Can a building have rest, be edified, walk in the fear of the Lord, or be comforted by the Holy Ghost? What about multiply? (Act 9:31, 1Cor 14:4)? Do building have ears (Act 11:22). What about being gathered together? (Act 14:27, 1 Cor 14:23)? Can you offend a building? (1 Cor 10:32)? Can a building be charitable? (Phil 4:15, 1 Tim 5:16)? Are buildings capable of thoughts? (Rev 2:23)?
There are also several passages of scripture which states that there are churches in peoples homes (Rom 16:5, 1Cor 16:19, Col 4:15, Phm1:2). We know that Christ didn't die for a man made structure (Act 20:28), nor is he espoused to a building of wood and stone (Eph 5:23-32). The fact of the matter is under the New Testament our body (the believers) has become the temple of God
(Joh 14:17, Joh 14:20, Joh 14:23, Joh 15:1-7, 1 Cor 3:9, 1 Cor 3:16, 1 Cor 6:19, 2 Cor 6:16).
There is a fault is see with most modern churches and that is instead of going out into all the world and preaching the gospel as Christ commands (Mat 28:19-20), Mar 16:14-15) they will invite the lost to come and fellowship with them at church, which is in defiance of (2 Cor 6:14-15). Church is supposed to be the gathering of believers (Heb 10:25).
In conclusion you don't have to go to a fancy white building to have church, you can have church anywhere since the church is the gathering of believers (1 Pet 2:5, Mat 18:20, Joh 4:21-24). It can be in your house, at the park, in your car, on a boat, in your backyard, etc.
As a side not what does scripture say about God dwelling in temples, or the temple that was in Jerusalem. (Isa 66:1-2, Act 7:48) (Mat 27:51, Luk 21:6)
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