The purpose of Christ’s Church and local churches
The word “church” is a translation of the ancient Greek word ekklesia, which meant “gathering of those summoned”. For early Christians, ekklesia described people who placed their faith in Jesus.
Biblically, Christ’s universal Church (big c) describes all people who follow Jesus as Lord, God’s Son, and Savior.
Ekklesia is people who realize Jesus is the Messiah, not buildings, denominations, or religious businesses.
“‘Who do you say I am?’ Simon Peter answered, ‘You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.’ Jesus replied, ‘Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven… on this rock (your faith) I will build my Church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.” – Matthew 16:15-18
The purpose of Christ’s Church is to be ambassadors of Christ’s light.
“I am the light of the world! Follow me, and you won't be walking in the dark. You will have the light that gives life.” – John 8:12
“You (followers) are chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, to declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light.” – I Peter 2:9
“You are the light of the world…let your light shine so others will see your good deeds and glorify God.” – Matthew 5:14-16
Characteristic #1: Jesus leads.
“God placed all things under Christ’s feet and appointed Him as head over the Church, which is His body.” — Eph. 1:22–23
“The scribes and Pharisees seat themselves in the chair of Moses…They love places of honor at banquets, seats of honor in the synagogues, personal greetings in the marketplaces, and being called Rabbi by the people…
…But you should not let yourselves be called Rabbi; for only One is your Teacher, and you are all brothers and sisters… And do not be called leaders; for only One is your Leader, Christ.” — Matthew 23:2-10
Characteristic #2: Christ’s Church is people, not buildings.
“God doesn't live in buildings made by humans.” — Acts 7:48
“You are God's field, God's building.” — 1 Corinthians 3:9
“God’s temple is Holy, and you are that temple.” — 1 Corinthians 3:17
“Greet Priscilla and Aquila… Greet also the church that meets in their house.” — Romans 16:3-5
“The LORD says: "Heaven is My throne, and Earth is My footstool. What kind of house could you build for Me?” — Isaiah 66:1
#3: All believers are equal brothers and sisters under Christ.
“In Christ, there is no Greek or Jew, free or slave. You are all one.” — Galatians 3:28
“All who did receive him, those who believed in his name, He gave the right to become children of God.” — John 1:11-12
“You are all brothers and sisters.” — Matthew 23:8
#4: Believers are the priesthood. No “Clergy”/“Laity” divide exists.
“You are like living stones being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. — 1 Peter 2:5
“How can they believe in Him if they have never heard about Him? And how can they hear about Him without someone telling them (preaching)?” – Romans 12:14-15
Note: In the Bible, “preaching” is not about teaching lessons to believers. It is sharing the good news, in daily life, with people who don’t know about Jesus. All believers are called to do this.
Teaching, not preaching, happens in local churches. Teaching is not delivered from stages to spectators. It happens reciprocally among equals (see below).
Local churches
Local churches (little c) are believers who gather for face-to-face support and encouragement.
It’s not always easy to follow Jesus on our own. Believers in relationships can help one another grow in two things.
Living the new life of following Jesus.
Being ambassadors where we work, live, and play to others can receive what we did.
“Let us spur one another toward love and good deeds.” — Hebrews 10:24
Any two Christians who gather to help each other follow Jesus are a local church (little c). They can meet anywhere.
“Where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” — Matthew 18:20.
Gathering locally helps believers support each other in new life.
Teaching and encouragement in the new life are valuable aspects of local church communities.
“Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom He gives.” – Colossians 3:16
“Encourage one another and build each other up (Oikodomeite).” — 1 Thess. 5:11
Members teach and encourage each other by sharing their abilities.
“When you come together, each of you has a song or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Everything must be done so that the church may be built up.” — 1 Corinthians 14:26
“Just as our bodies have many parts and each has a special function, so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, belonging to each other. In His grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well… communicating truth (prophēteian)… helping (Diakonia)… teaching (Didaskalia)... encouraging in the faith (Parakalōn)… administrating/presiding (Proistamenos)…” – Romans 12:4-8
”When each part is working properly, this makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.” — Ephesians 4:16
Oikodomeite (build-up) is a construction term that means becoming more together. It is not just something you do to somebody else. It happens in you too.
In this, modern education is catching up to the Bible. Research shows that people tend to learn best by teaching each other and interacting. As a result, instructors in schools and businesses often include chances for mutual teaching.
Biblically, church communities are not businesses or performances.
In the Bible, local church communities are not religious businesses or performances of a few to many spectators.
Christ’s mission on earth specifically included replacing religious hierarchies and separations with Himself.
For example, Christ’s death on the cross gave every person equal access to God and made every believer a priest, under the authority of Jesus Himself.
The moment Jesus died, a giant curtain in the Jerusalem temple that kept regular people out of an inner sanctum (where God’s throne symbolically was) split in half. Every person can now directly access God by following Jesus as his or her high priest.
“Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have the confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, His body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings.” — Hebrews 10:19-22
Together we are God’s house, built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets. And the cornerstone is Christ Jesus himself. We are joined together in him, a holy temple for the Lord.” —Ephesians 2:20-22
"You also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ". — 1 Peter 2:4-5
Local churches can also help meet community needs.
One special way local churches grow in Christ (and show it) is by meeting needs, within the group and in the surrounding communities.
Many verses call Christians toward this. Here are a few examples.
“Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” — Galatians 6:2
“Don’t just look out for your interests. Take an interest in others, too.” — Philippians 2:4
“Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.” — Hebrews 13:16
“Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and don’t let the world turn you evil.” — James 1:27
“Learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring help to the fatherless, plead the widow's cause.” — Isaiah 1:17
“I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me…” — Matthew 25:35-40
Summary
Christ’s Church isn’t about business, buildings, religious careers, or hierarchies. There are no special “clergy”, ordinary “laity”, stages, spotlights, or spectators.
In Christ’s church, all people are special. Believers gather to build each other up in truth, faith, love, and Christ-like character, producing good fruits in our lives that glorify God and benefit others.