Often this is what common knowledge is also, that the Church is a place of worship, a building or
organization. But according to the Bible, it is an assembly of people that believe in the redeeming
sacrifice and Lordship of Jesus Christ.If you were to look up the definition in the Strong's Concordance (a bible study tool for word definitions) you would find it defined as a "religious congregation either Jewish or Christian, of members on earth or in heaven or both.

Since the word Church is defining a people, it really is not about buildings, programs or an
organization. It is a gathering of believers, not a building. It is an Organism not merely an
organization.

The gathering of believers is a living cell known as the Local Church.

The local Church cell is part of something much larger on the whole, known as the Body of
Christ.

What qualifies this gathering as a Church is when two or more believers are assembled together
for the purpose of nourishing the Body of Christ from the love of God within their hearts,
together.

There is no formula, method or outline that must be followed as a whole. Each Church cell has
its own unique gifting and call from God to minister in a way that is most effective for those He
draws to each individual Church. This leading of the Holy Spirit will cause each cell to succeed in
effectively building others in faith through love toward one another, developing healthy
relationships with God and each other.

The local Church might meet in a building, house, park or a number of different places, but the
building doesn't make the Church, the people are the Church. They might be organized, but
organization is not what qualifies them as a member of the Body of Christ. Their qualification for
membership to the Body of Christ comes from their faith in Jesus Christ.

We have become part of His Body when we accept His sacrifice for the forgiveness of our sins
and have repented from our attempts to become righteous through our own deeds and efforts. In
exchange for our failed righteousness we accept His righteousness as a gift that comes by grace
through faith.

What makes our faith exclusive from every other faith on earth is as different as night and day.

While every other faith on earth is attempting to gain righteousness or favor with God, whether it
is obedience to laws, ordinances or doctrine, Christians believe righteousness and favor with God
has now and forever been secured through Jesus Christ. Our faith is in the sacrifice and
resurrection of Jesus Christ, not in our accomplishments or obedience. Our faith is in a person,
not our deeds or efforts; our faith is in the Lord Jesus Christ not ourselves.

There are many elements in the world that attack our faith in an attempt to disrupt our purpose.
Attacks that wage war against the confidence we can have in Christ through faith. Whether
attacks in our mind, circumstances or outside sources, coming together as a Church can help to
renew, refresh and restore our faith in Christ from whom all of Life flows.

It is for this purpose we assemble together, that each person can find the help they require in
times of adversity, to be reminded and refreshed in the Good News of Jesus Christ. To be built up
in their faith and experience the Kingdom of God that reigns in the heart of every believer.

The word Church, as in the context which the Bible defines, are people that congregate together
with a belief in Jesus Christ who have purpose and passion. The Church is a living, breathing
organism of people that band together for a single purpose; to build the Body of Christ in the
Unity of the faith in Him.

Though all believers share in the same purpose, there is usually one of three desires that a
person has which brings us together;

1) A desire for help.
2) A desire to learn how to help.
3) A desire to help.

Some need help being introduced to Jesus, some need help to learn about relationship with
Jesus and others need help of various other sorts. Each Church helps through the gifting the Lord
has supplied to those of that particular Church.

There are some that have a desire to help others, to reach out and serve people, but lack
understanding, confidence or opportunity.

Then there are some that have experience in serving the Body of Christ and have a desire to
apply their experience in a particular Church or part of the Body as a whole. Everyone benefiting
from the five fold ministry that God has ordained of Apostles, Prophets, Evangelist, Pastors,
Teachers and every other gift the Lord has made available to serve us through Christ Jesus.

The Church is filled with people from every area and walk of life. The Church as a whole feeds the Body through edification, exhortation and comfort as we all grow in the full knowledge of Christ. All joined together in Him, each part of the Body building itself up in faith through love for God and each other.

As the Church grows together it is vital to their well being that each ministry remain willing to
yield to one another. That each person remains conscious that it is people we serve, not an
organization or particular ministry. Organization, programs, gifts or ministry callings are all tools
to serve the Body of Christ. At no time should these take priority over the value or well being of
the people they are designed to serve. Not everyone is given the same gifts or desires, but remain
equal in value and worth to God, the Body of Christ and the Church.

Two primary elements of truth that we should continually remind ourselves and others of are
Liberty and Grace.

Every believer has been given Liberty through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. This Liberty must
be protected at all times in the heart of every believer. At no time should we make demands or
place undue expectations on others, whether they are believers or not. Liberty allows each person
the freedom to follow their own heart as God leads them personally. When their Liberty is
preserved and they have the confidence to follow their own heart, their actions in service to God
are then an act of love and not some religiously imposed order, masqueraded to gain them favor
with God and deceiving their heart, thus departing from faith in Christ.

As each person begins to express the love of God in their heart as He has revealed Himself in
them, they grow in faith with God and are resistant to bitterness that overtakes the hearts of those
trying to work out their own righteousness and ultimately destroying their soul.
Every believer is saved by grace, unearned and undeserved favor. Another element to the
manifold grace of God is the grace to serve in the Body of Christ. God will deposit the necessary
desire in the heart of the one He is calling to serve. Along with the desire to serve in a particular
gift or calling, comes the ability to fulfill this calling. Once a person has a desire to serve, they
can be confident that God has also given them the ability to fulfill this desire to accomplish the
work to which He has called them. This is the reason it is so vital to extend the freedom of
Liberty to every person, that they can discover what God has placed in them.

If we are quick to assign people to projects and programs, we sabotage them and the Church by making demands they don't have the power of grace by which to fulfill the task.

Every person is of higher priority than the job or task at hand. When the ministry position or
duty takes priority above the value of the people, we sabotage the heart and poison the ministry to
which they have been assigned. Every member of the Church can support the call of those that
desire to serve, in whatever call that might be, but we cannot create this desire for anyone. Nor
should we judge or condemn any individual for not following our own desires.

Every gift and calling is unique to the person whom God has equipped. Just because they teach, does not mean it will be cloned exactly the same in every teacher. The same goes with every gift, calling and office in the Body of Christ. God will speak to each heart, to fulfill His purpose, which builds each person in faith through love. This will be accomplished through who He chooses, in the
form He chooses and the timing He chooses.

We have the liberty to love unconditionally and to serve with the grace He has made sufficient
to us.

In summation and to amplify the Biblical understanding of the Church it is defined as
the gathering together of two or more people that believe in Jesus Christ, for the purpose
to build up the Body of Christ in faith through love. Serving one another from a heart of
humility and servant hood with a willing heart, yielding to serve unselfishly with the gifts
and callings placed in their hearts by the grace of God. A people dedicated to protect the
Liberty given to all in Christ and creating an atmosphere for the Holy Spirit to move on
the hearts of people as He so chooses.

Seeking help through the wisdom of God, yielding to the Grace that motivates others to serve and open to release the unconditional love of God placed in their hearts without fear or reservation. This is the Church of Jesus Christ.

You can receive Jesus Christ and become part of His Church!

Pray this aloud to Jesus,

Jesus, I believe you died for the sins of all and I receive your forgiveness. I want to follow you and ask to be filled with your Holy Spirit right now. I welcome the Holy Spirit and will trust Him to lead, guide, teach and direct me in service to Jesus Christ.

Now thank Him for the gift of the Holy Spirit. You can learn more about the baptism of the Holy Spirit Click Here

If you prayed this prayer, please let us know - we would like to rejoice with you!

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