Many people may answer the question, what is church?, by telling us where a brick building is in which they worship each Sunday morning. They may tell us about the beautiful stained glass windows or the intricate wood carvings or the magnificent cross proudly displayed in the foyer. But is this church according to Scripture?
The Greek word “ekklesia”, is used 115 times in the New Testament, and in most bibles, it is always translated as “church” (except in Acts 19:32,39,41, where it is properly translated as “assembly”). (Christ’s Ekklesia)
According to Strong’s concordance ekklesia is an “assembly”.
“He [Jesus] did not die for bricks and two-by-fours, or for a cluster of congregations, or for an ecclesiastical machine. He died for people, and those who submit to Him in obedience are brought together into His group of people, the church.” (The Expository Files)
So from this we could say the “church” is a group/assembly of believers in Jesus Christ and His death, burial and resurrection, not a building.
I say all this because of occurrences we have been privy to. We’ve had pastors ask us to fund building a church for them…this church would be built between two other church buildings. Friends have been told by churches to stop helping the widows, orphans and those suffering from HIV/AIDS…they’ll die anyway so why bother. Others have been told the church would assist a family as long as any funds were directed through them…but how much of those funds would make it to the needy?
We as the “church” are to live our lives according to the One we claim to follow. Praise and worship on a Sunday morning do not, in my humble opinion, show the christian life. If anything it seems at times to be a deterrent for someone seeking Christ because those people praising and worshiping on Sunday morning are the same ones who will lie and cheat on Monday morning.
If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 1 Corinthians 13:1
Being the ekklesia of Christ is more than showing up on Sunday morning (or Saturday evening) claiming faith in Jesus, it’s doing throughout the week what God asks you do to.
What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. James 2:14-17
Notice I said God “asks” not tells. It is up to each of us individually to answer His calling for our lives. He won’t force you to do anything and I’m so sorry for the times I refuse Him and pray for His forgiveness and the strength to do it better next time.
I’m not saying going to church is a bad thing, far from it. Having community with other believers is encouraged in scripture:
And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10:24-25
What I am saying is don’t get pulled into the illusion that going to church fulfills your requirement of reaching Heaven or gets you a “go to Heaven free” card. “In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.” (see above reference in James)
Church to me is reaching out to love our neighbor, assisting with some physical needs, holding the hand of a dying person, sharing the hope of Jesus Christ to those with little or no hope.
None of those things need a building, but rather willing and obedient hearts.
With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need. Acts 4:33-35
I ask you to consider what “church” is to you? Is it a building or a way of life? Seek Jesus’ direction and wisdom and He will direct your path (reference to Proverbs 3).