Simple Bible Answers - A web site to further understand the Word of God.
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Simple Bible Answers - A web site to further understand the Word of God.
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Q. What is the Church? A. 1; A church is a structure or location designated for meeting to worship a deity. If this structure is abandoned, and was built for this purpose, then, most of the time it will still carry the moniker "church", even after the worship has ended. A. 2; The Church (capital C) is the body of Christ. Where the body goes the Church is. If just a few gather in the name of Jesus then the structure they occupy, in a sense, becomes a church. Once the people leave that physical location then the Church goes with it.
When most people think of a church a number of images, and feelings, come to mind. Some people great a uncomfortable feeling, something like "ah man….please!" , some a feeling of fear, and some just feel it’s a outdated social event, left over from a simple time for simple people. When they picture it in their heads the image varies greatly. To some it’s a storefront that gave them shelter on a cold night, others it’s the Vatican. Where I live, to some, it can be a pavilion at sunrise by the seashore. Be it a cathedral, or a double wide trailer, all those images and feelings are wrong. The Church isn’t a place; it’s not mortar and brick or stain glass windows, candles, or cold marble statures. Man has always tried to put God in a box. First in a tent, then in a temple, behind walls and in designated rooms. Oh we try to make them nice, after all God lives there. We try to make them as big as we can because, after all, God’s a big guy. Try to put a lot of gold and silver in them (God loves that stuff), paint them nice and give them names to honor Him. The Church of the Great all Mighty Big Guy. Or name them in numerical order, or because of location, The First Church of Second Street (tell me, has anybody seen a fourth church yet?). Sometimes God doesn’t even get first billing, The Church of Saint What’s-his-name. The only time God ever made a location his “home” was with the Jews before the crucifixion of Jesus. Even then it’s not what He wanted, it’s what man wanted. But man still wants it that way. We show up on Sunday to pay our respects, toss some lose change in a plate, and do our best to act proper. We sing some songs, have some coffee, and try to avoid those religious nuts who take church, “far too serious”. Afterwards, we head home and go on with our lives, as we always have. We have been to “church” and this is good because the more we go to church, the better our chances to go to Heaven, right ?....wrong ! As with all things we need to head to the Bible and see what it says a Church is, because, man's terms can’t always be used when discussing Christian related items. In the Bible the Church is the body on Christ. Body meaning a number of people in a corporate sense. We as individuals are the body of Christ and together form his Church. When three or more gather in my name their shall I be. So in a sense when we gather we not only are the Church, but are “in” Church. No walls, floors, plumbing, or coffee pots needed (I bring my own coffee anyway). The term "Church" is the body of Christ, and the Bride of Christ. As soon as you accept Salvation you become part of the Church, forever more. Once you have been saved you cannot ever be lost or lose that Salvation. It’s a shame but most people who consider themselves saved, most who consider themselves “good” Christians, most people in most churches, aren’t saved. The Church of Christ doesn’t fill most churches, just semi-warm bodies do. I wish there was a way to call all churches by another name, so as not to confuse people. But it’s been too long ingrained in the people, writing, and imagery. So the best I can do is refer to the structures with a small “c” and to the Bride with a large “C”. As for the word Bride, look at “Marriage…covenant or convenient”. Have you every heard or said “watch what your saying, your in church”, or do you act as a whole other person inside the church? If the language you use is inappropriate for church, maybe you should consider how you speak in the world. You don’t leave the church behind you as you walk though the doors, you take the Church with you and it is you. You in your everyday language and acts, are the face of the Church. When people look at you they are looking at one of the building blocks of the Church (whether you need paint or not). If the Church is "us" then were does God live? Well He is everywhere and lives in "us" by way of the Holy Spirit (for more on the Holy Spirit check What is the Trinity). When the temple was leveled by General, and soon to become Emperor Titus, the only fixed tangible home for God was removed. The Christian is now the Temple (Church). When Christ cleared the temple of the money changers, it wasn't because He was worried they would track dirt onto the marble. It was the lack of respect, the carnival atmosphere, and lowering of his Father's house to mans level. The taking of what was meant to be Sanctified and Holy, and making it a common market where Salvation was bought and sold. A new Temple will return but in the mean time we are called to that special honor. The honor of being "His Church".
To wrap up.
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Last modified: 12/15/07For a FREE downloadable KJV Bible click here. Opinions or questions: Mail@SimpleBibleAnswers.com
Re:22:18: For I testify unto every man
that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto
these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:
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