church, Church

Definition

In the New Testament, the term “church” refers to all people who believe in Jesus. Sometimes “church” refers to a part of that larger group who regularly met together in a certain place, such as the “church at Ephesus.”

• This term literally refers to an assembly or congregation of people who were “called out” of the general population to meet together for a special purpose.
• Often the believers in a particular city would meet together in someone’s home to pray together and to hear and discuss scripture. These local churches were given the name of the city such as the “church at Ephesus.”
• In the Bible, “church” does not refer to a building.

Translation Suggestions

• The term “church” could be translated as a “gathering together” or “assembly” or “congregation” or “ones who meet together.”
• The word or phrase that is used to translate this term should also be able to refer to all believers, not just one small group.
• Make sure that the translation of “church” does not just refer to a building.
• The term used to translate “assembly” in the Old Testament could also be used to translate this term.
• Also consider how it is translated in a local or national Bible translation. (See: How to Translate Unknowns.)

(See also: assembly, believe, Christian)

Bible References

• 1 Corinthians 5:12
• 1 Thessalonians 2:14
• 1 Timothy 3:5
• Acts 9:31
• Acts 14:23
• Acts 15:41
• Colossians 4:15
• Ephesians 5:23
• Matthew 16:18
• Philippians 4:15

Examples from the Bible stories

• __43:12 About 3,000 people believed what Peter said and became disciples of Jesus. They were baptized and became part of the church__ at Jerusalem.
• __46:9 Most of the people in Antioch were not Jews, but for the first time, very many of them also became believers. Barnabas and Saul went there to teach these new believers more about Jesus and to strengthen the church__.
• __46:10 So the church__ in Antioch prayed for Barnabas and Saul and placed their hands on them. Then they sent them off to preach the good news of Jesus in many other places.
• __47:13 The good news of Jesus kept spreading, and the Church__ kept growing.
• __50:1 For almost 2,000 years, more and more people around the world have been hearing the good news about Jesus the Messiah. The Church__ has been growing.

Word Data

• Strong’s: G15770