Church - Where and What Is It?

 •  3 min. read  •  grade level: 6
In these days, when Christians are ranged under so many different names, it behooves us to consider well whether there is a visible church on this earth, and if not, whether the children of God can meet together as the early Christians did.
Now it must be evident to any thoughtful student of scripture that in the apostles' days there was a church—visibly united. “And the Lord added to the church (or together) daily such as should be saved” (Acts 2:4747Praising God, and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved. (Acts 2:47)). It was composed of those who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ. There was no thought then of believers and unbelievers joining together in worshipping God.
Again there will be a church when the Lord Jesus comes, for He will take the church to be with Himself. But now you will find a few members here, a few there—scattered, divided: members of the body of Christ it is true, but not gathered as the one body, the church.
When Christ ascended into heaven, He sent the Holy Ghost, the Spirit of truth, to gather together the children of God that were scattered abroad (John 11:5252And not for that nation only, but that also he should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad. (John 11:52)). God is still seeking worshippers, who shall worship Him in spirit and in truth; for the Father seeketh such to worship Him (John 4:23, 2423But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. 24God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. (John 4:23‑24)). It is children, yea, sons of God by faith of Jesus who are called to worship their Father.
In the Lord's well-known intercessory prayer (John 17) He prays, “that they all may be one; as Thou, Father, art in me, and I in Thee, that they all may be one in us.” And why? “That the world may believe that thou hast sent me.” Is it God's mind that the members of Christ's body should be scattered? No; “that they all may be one,” etc. He would have all His children worshipping as one family. Nothing will suit God but what is of divine authority.
In Eph. 2:20-2220And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; 21In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: 22In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit. (Ephesians 2:20‑22), Paul says, “Ye are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief corner stone; in whom all the building fitly framed together, groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: in whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.”
We have Christ, the chief corner stone, on which the building rests. Take away Christ, and, the building is gone; but give Him His own proper place, as the only Center, round whom the Holy Ghost is drawing the children of God, and there God can dwell. If there are but two or three even gathered to His name, He is in their midst. This was the only ground on which the early Christians met for worship, and this is the true ground of the church of God now. See 1 Cor. 12:12-27; 1412For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. 13For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. 14For the body is not one member, but many. 15If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? 16And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? 17If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling? 18But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. 19And if they were all one member, where were the body? 20But now are they many members, yet but one body. 21And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you. 22Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary: 23And those members of the body, which we think to be less honorable, upon these we bestow more abundant honor; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness. 24For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honor to that part which lacked: 25That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. 26And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honored, all the members rejoice with it. 27Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular. (1 Corinthians 12:12‑27); Eph. 4:3-163Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; 5One Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. 7But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. 8Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. 9(Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? 10He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.) 11And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 13Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: 14That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; 15But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: 16From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love. (Ephesians 4:3‑16); 2 Thess. 2:11Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, (2 Thessalonians 2:1).
I admit there are a few, who by God's grace do meet together, led by His Spirit, to worship Him in spirit and in truth. But is this the church? The church, being composed of all believers, it cannot be; but then these few are meeting on the ground laid down in scripture, and acted on by the apostles.
Christ loved the church, and gave Himself for it, that He might present it to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle, or any such thing, etc. (Eph. 5:2727That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. (Ephesians 5:27)).