Dear beloved brothers and sisters in Christ, one of the most common questions people ask today is this: “What is the church?”
Many people think of the church simply as a building—a place with a cross on top, pews inside, and a sign out front. Others think of the church as an organization, a denomination, or a weekly religious service. Still others say, “I believe in Jesus, but I don’t need the church.”
But when we open the Bible, we discover that God’s understanding of the church is far deeper and far richer than any of these ideas. So today, we ask an important question: What is the church according to the Bible?
And as we explore this question, we will see that the church is not merely an institution or a meeting place, but a living, organic body established by Jesus Christ.
Let us begin with the words of Jesus in Matthew 16.
Matthew 16:16-18 Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." Jesus replied, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven. And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.
In Matthew 16:16–18, Simon Peter declares, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus responds: “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.”
Here, Jesus makes something very clear. The church is built not on a building, not on a human system, and not even on Peter himself—but on the confession of faith that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God. Therefore, the true church consists of those who believe in Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord.
The word “church” comes from the Greek word ekklesia, which means “the called-out assembly.” It refers to people who have been called out of the world to belong to God—to worship Him, to live by His truth, and to fulfill His will together. From the very beginning, the church was never meant to be an isolated individual experience. It was designed to be a community of faith.
The Church as a Living, Organic Body
The Bible goes even further by describing the church not only as a community, but as a living body.
1 Corinthians 12:27-30 Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret?
In 1 Corinthians 12:27–30, the Apostle Paul writes: “Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it…” Paul compares the church to the human body. Christ is the head, and believers are the members—each with different roles, gifts, and responsibilities.
Later in the same chapter, Paul writes: “As it is, there are many parts, but one body.” (1 Corinthians 12:20) Just as a human body remains healthy only when each part functions properly, the church grows in a healthy way when every member fulfills his or her role and works together in unity.
The church, therefore, is not merely a gathering of people in one place. It is a living, interconnected, and interdependent body.
“Churchless Christianity” and the Biblical Response
In modern times, especially in Western culture, we see a growing trend of what might be called “churchless Christianity.” Some say, “My faith is personal. I don’t need the church.” Others reject organized worship, leadership, or communal responsibility.
However, this idea does not align with the biblical understanding of faith.
Yes, salvation is personal—but it is never meant to be isolated. God did not call us to walk alone. He called us into one body. Jesus Himself said in John 15:5
John 15:5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”
A branch cannot survive or bear fruit if it is disconnected from the vine. In the same way, believers bear spiritual fruit when they remain connected—not only to Christ, but also to one another in the church. A believer who remains disconnected from the church community is like a fallen leaf—lacking nourishment and unable to bear lasting fruit. Merely having one’s name on a membership list is not enough. True spiritual life flows through active connection, participation, and fellowship within the church.
God’s Organized Church in the Old Testament
This idea of an organized, interconnected community is not new. We see it clearly in the Old Testament, especially in Israel’s journey through the wilderness.
In Numbers chapters 1 and 2, God commands Moses to organize the twelve tribes around the tabernacle in a precise and orderly manner. Each tribe had its place. Each group had its leaders.
In Exodus 18:21–22, Moses receives wise counsel from his father-in-law Jethro: “Select capable men… and appoint them as officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens.”
God’s people were not a chaotic crowd. They were organized, structured, and unified—moving together as one body under God’s direction.
The Apostle Paul later tells us in 1 Corinthians 10 that these events were recorded as examples and lessons for believers today.
1 Corinthians 10:5-6 Nevertheless, God was not pleased with most of them; their bodies were scattered over the desert. Now these things occurred as examples to keep us from setting our hearts on evil things as they did.
The wilderness community of Israel serves as a shadow, helping us understand how God desires His people to function together.
A Prophetic Picture of the Final Church
The Bible also gives us prophetic imagery of the church in the last days.
In Revelation 7, we read about the sealing of the 144,000—organized by twelve tribes, with order, structure, and unity.
Revelation 7:4-8 Then I heard the number of those who were sealed: 144,000 from all the tribes of Israel. From the tribe of Judah 12,000 were sealed, from the tribe of Reuben 12,000, from the tribe of Gad 12,000, from the tribe of Asher 12,000, from the tribe of Naphtali 12,000, from the tribe of Manasseh 12,000, from the tribe of Simeon 12,000, from the tribe of Levi 12,000, from the tribe of Issachar 12,000, from the tribe of Zebulun 12,000, from the tribe of Joseph 12,000, from the tribe of Benjamin 12,000.
This imagery suggests that the final church will reflect the same principles we saw in Israel: unity, interconnectedness, and divine order.
Revelation 21 presents another powerful symbol—the Holy City, New Jerusalem.
Revelation 21:19-20 The foundations of the city walls were decorated with every kind of precious stone. The first foundation was jasper, the second sapphire, the third chalcedony, the fourth emerald, the fifth sardonyx, the sixth carnelian, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, and the twelfth amethyst.
The city is built on twelve foundations, each adorned with a precious stone. These stones represent beauty, value, and unity—many parts forming one glorious whole. And the twelve stones represent the 144,000 who were organized in twelve tribes.
Exodus 28:21 There are to be twelve stones, one for each of the names of the sons of Israel, each engraved like a seal with the name of one of the twelve tribes.
Together, these images teach us that God’s final people are not scattered individuals, but a unified body reflecting His character and glory.
Our Role as Church Members Today
Dear brothers and sisters, if this is the biblical picture of the church, then how should we live? We must recognize that being part of the church means more than attendance. It means connection, responsibility, and contribution.
We receive spiritual nourishment from the church, and we are also called to give—to serve, to support, and to build up one another. Faithful and willing giving, including financial support, is one way believers participate in the life and growth of the church—not as obligation, but as an expression of love and commitment.
What truly matters is not the amount, but the heart: a desire to live a life dedicated to God as faithful members of His church.
Dear brothers and sisters, as we pursue salvation, we must live out our faith within the church community. The church is not a building. It is not a name. It is not a mere organization. The church is a living, organic body, called by God, built on faith in Christ, and sustained by love and unity.
Until the day we stand before God in glory, may we be believers who love the church, serve faithfully, and reflect Christ to the world—together, as one body. Amen.
Source: https://blog.naver.com/ceongkim