by esther phinias | 4 June 2025 08:46 am06
When you come to faith in Jesus Christ, it is vital to understand that the church is not simply a building or a denomination. The church is the community of God’s redeemed people—those who have been saved by grace through faith in Christ and gathered together to worship, serve, and glorify Him.
The New Testament presents the church in several powerful images that help us grasp its nature and purpose:
1. The Church as the Body of Christ
1 Corinthians 12:27 (ESV) —
Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.
Every believer is united to Christ and to one another. Just as the parts of a human body function together for the good of the whole, so each Christian has a unique role and spiritual gift to contribute to the health and mission of the church (see Romans 12:4-5). To refuse fellowship with the body is to hinder both your own growth and the body’s effectiveness.
Ephesians 4:16 (NKJV) —
“From whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.
2. The Church as the Bride of Christ
Ephesians 5:25-27 (NKJV) —
Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.
This image reminds us that the church is in a covenant relationship with Christ. Just as a bride is devoted to her husband, the church is called to purity, love, and faithful submission to Christ as its Lord (2 Corinthians 11:2). To belong to Christ is to belong to His church, living in holiness as we await the great marriage supper of the Lamb (Revelation 19:7-9).
3. The Church as the Family of God
Ephesians 2:19 (ESV) —
“So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God.
Through Christ, we are adopted as sons and daughters into God’s family (Galatians 4:4-7). This means we share in His promises, His inheritance, and His love. We are brothers and sisters in Christ, called to care for, encourage, and bear with one another (Romans 8:16-17, Colossians 3:12-14
4. The Church as the Temple of God
1 Corinthians 3:16-17 (ESV) —
“Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him. For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple.
As God’s temple, the church is His dwelling place on earth. The Spirit of God lives within us collectively as the church and individually as believers (Ephesians 2:21-22). We are called to purity and holiness because God’s presence demands a holy habitation (1 Peter 1:15-16).
Why the Church Is Essential for the Believer
1. For Spiritual Growth
The church is where believers are fed, equipped, and built up through God’s Word and the ministry of the Spirit.
Ephesians 4:11-13 (ESV) —
And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.
Growth in Christ happens as we sit under sound teaching, participate in worship, and exercise our spiritual gifts.
2. For Worship
God delights in the corporate worship of His people.
Psalm 95:6 (ESV) —
Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker!
The church gathers to glorify God together, expressing our love and devotion through song, prayer, giving, the Word, and the sacraments (Acts 2:42-47).
3. For Prayer and Support
Believers are called to pray for one another and bear one another’s burdens.
James 5:16 (ESV) —
Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.
When we are weak, we need the strength of the body to lift us up (Galatians 6:2).
4. For Equipping for Ministry
The church is where believers discover and develop their spiritual gifts to serve God’s purposes.
1 Peter 4:10 (ESV) —
As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace.
How Often Should We Attend Church?
As often as possible. The early church gathered frequently, both daily and weekly (Acts 2:46, 1 Corinthians 16:2).
Hebrews 10:25 (ESV) —
Not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
Faithful gathering helps guard us against sin’s deceitfulness (Hebrews 3:13).
Dangers of Withdrawing from the Church
You become spiritually weak and vulnerable to temptation (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10).
You miss out on accountability and encouragement.
Your gifts will not flourish as they are intended to serve the body (1 Corinthians 12:7).
Choosing a Faithful Church
Not every group that calls itself a church is truly Christ’s church.
1 John 4:1 (ESV) —
Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.
Look for a church that:
Preaches Christ as the only foundation of salvation (1 Corinthians 3:11).
Calls people to repentance, righteousness, and holiness (Acts 20:21).
Reminds believers of eternal realities—heaven and hell (Matthew 25:46).
Welcomes and operates in the gifts of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 14:12).
Pray for discernment and seek godly counsel as you choose where to worship.
Key Scriptures to Remember
Hebrews 10:25 — Do not neglect meeting together.
Psalm 122:1 — Rejoice in going to the house of the Lord.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 — Two are better than one.
Final Encouragement
As a Christian, make it your habit to be faithful in gathering with God’s people.
Avoid lateness in worship.
Stay alert and engaged in the service (Acts 20:9—Eutychus fell asleep and fell from a window!).
Where two or three are gathered in Christ’s name, He is present (Matthew 18:20).
May the Lord bless you as you commit to His church!
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