Kuriakon – What is the Church?
The English word “church” derives from the Greek word kuriakon and means “the Lord’s house.” The Greek word for church is ekklesia and means “assembly” (Acts 19:32, 39, 41; Hebrews 12:23). The church is called by many names in the scriptures. It is called the body (1 Corinthians 12:12-27), the bride (Revelation 22:17), the temple (Ephesians 2:21), the house of God (1 Timothy 3:15), husbandry and building (1 Corinthians 3:9), the kingdom (Matthew 16:19), and much more.
The church belongs to Jesus. He is its builder and owner (Matthew 16:18). He is the head of the church (Ephesians 1:22-12). Jesus Christ died and shed his blood for the church (Acts 20:28). He is the savior of the church (Ephesians 5:23) and the King of the kingdom (Revelation 5:9-10). He is the good shepherd and the church are the sheep (John 10:11). Jesus is the foundation of the building (1 Corinthians 3:11) and the chief cornerstone (1 Peter 2:6-7).
The church is not a building, though, the English word is commonly used that way. The church is not a denomination (1 Corinthians 1:10-13); it is composed of members and members are people (1 Corinthians 12:12-27). The church may be organized in a local congregation (Hebrews 2:12) at a particular location (1 Corinthians 1:2). The Bible also teaches the church to be all saints from all times (Ephesians 1:22-23, Hebrews 12:23).
To become a member of the church, one must be baptized (1 Corinthians 12:13). This is the same as being born of the water and of the spirit (John 3:5). A person cannot be saved without being cleansed by the blood of Christ (Revelation 1:5). A person cannot be cleansed by the blood of Christ without being a member of the church (Acts 20:28, Ephesians 5:23). A person cannot be saved without being a member of the church.