Correspondence: Does "Church" Always Refer to the Same People?

 •  1 min. read  •  grade level: 7
Question: Does the word “Church” always mean the same people?
Answer: The word “Church” means “assembly.” It has two distinct aspects. The one is called the “House of God which is the Church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth” (1 Tim. 3:1515But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth. (1 Timothy 3:15)).
The second depends on God, and is built by the Holy Spirit, so none but saved ones are in it. Such verses as Matthew 16:1818And 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. (Matthew 16:18); 1 Corinthians 12:12, 1312For 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. (1 Corinthians 12:12‑13); Romans 12:4, 54For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: 5So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. (Romans 12:4‑5); Ephesians 4:4; 5:254There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; (Ephesians 4:4)
25Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; (Ephesians 5:25), apply to it. All who are saved shall be caught up to be forever with the Lord (1 Thess. 4:15-1615For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. 16For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: (1 Thessalonians 4:15‑16)). All who are only professors, without the new life, shall be left behind, forever lost.