What does the word CHURCH really mean?

What comes to mind when you hear the word “church”? A place of worship for Christians? The Christians themselves?

1 Corinthians 14:23(KJV)

If therefore the whole CHURCH be come together into one PLACE, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad?

From this reference, we see that the “church” is different from the “place.”

While popular use of the word “church” today usually has to do with the building where Christians gather, we see from this reference above that, in biblical parlance, church actually refers to people. It is the people that come together to “one place.” So “the church building” is the place where the church comes together.

Moving on, it is very important to note that the word “church” does not belong exclusively to Christians. It stems from the Greek word ekklēsia which is from the combination of two root words: kaleo (to call) and the prefix ek (out). Thus, the word means “the called out ones.” This definition suggests a group of people that are separated from others by virtue of something these people have in common that others may not. In essence, it means a group of people who share a common heritage; this heritage could be a belief system.

ekklēsia is translated as church in a number of references; in others, it is translated as assembly or congregation.

See the word ekklēsia used for certain groups of people below:

Acts 7:36–41(KJV)

36 - He brought them out, after that he had shewed wonders and signs in the land of Egypt, and in the Red sea, and in the wilderness forty years.

37 - This is that Moses, which said unto the children of Israel, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear.

38 - 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:

39 - To whom our fathers would not obey, but thrust him from them, and in their hearts turned back again into Egypt,

40 - Saying unto Aaron, Make us gods to go before us: for as for this Moses, which brought us out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is become of him.

41 - And they made a calf in those days, and offered sacrifice unto the idol, and rejoiced in the works of their own hands.

What church/assembly/congregation was in the wilderness? The children of Israel (verse 37). We can see how that the Israelites were referred to as a church.

Acts 19:29,32,35–36,39–41(KJV)

29 - And the whole city was filled with confusion: and having caught Gaius and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia, Paul's companions in travel, they rushed with one accord into the theatre.

32 - Some therefore cried one thing, and some another: for the ASSEMBLY was confused; and the more part knew not wherefore they were come together.

35 - And when the townclerk had appeased the people, he said, Ye men of Ephesus, what man is there that knoweth not how that the city of the Ephesians is a worshipper of the great goddess Diana, and of the image which fell down from Jupiter?

36 - Seeing then that these things cannot be spoken against, ye ought to be quiet, and to do nothing rashly.

39 - But if ye enquire any thing concerning other matters, it shall be determined in a lawful assembly.

40 - For we are in danger to be called in question for this day's uproar, there being no cause whereby we may give an account of this concourse.

41 - And when he had thus spoken, he dismissed the assembly.

Here, we see ekklēsia translated as assembly. Which assembly/church was this? The men of the city of Ephesus (verse 35).

So we can see that this word “church” does not belong exclusively to Christians.

This was why when Jesus was going to establish a church through His death for our sins and subsequent resurrection, He used the determiner “MY”, which tells us that although there were many kinds of churches, this one would be THE CHURCH OF JESUS.

Matthew 16:18(KJV)

And I say also unto thee, that thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build MY CHURCH; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

Now that we can see that, in biblical parlance, church refers to people not places, and also that this word does not belong exclusively to Christians, it is more accurate to call the body of Christians not just church but “the church of Jesus” rather than feeling attacked when non-Christian religious or secular organizations use the term. These include the Church of Scientology, the Church of Satan, Buddhist Churches of America, and many humanist groups.

Remember ekklēsia (church/assembly) means “the called out ones.” For us Christians, our calling is the salvation of our souls through which we became children of God and citizens of His eternal kingdom.

1 Peter 2:9–10(NKJV)

9 - But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who CALLED you OUT of darkness INTO His marvelous light;

10 - who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.

Romans 1:5–6(NKJV)

5 - Through Him we have received grace and apostleship for obedience to the faith among all nations for His name,

6 - among whom you also are the called of Jesus Christ.

Romans 8:28–30(NKJV)

28 - And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

29 - For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.

30 - Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.