Study 11: The Church
The church matters because Christ loves His people and gathers them to Himself. This study helps us think about what the church is, who belongs to it, what a local church is for, and how Christ rules His people through His Word and Spirit.
Many people use the word “church” for a building or an organisation. The Bible uses it first of all for people: a gathered assembly of those called out by God and brought to faith in Christ.
Before you begin
It is important to look up the Bible references and think carefully about what they say, so that you can see for yourself the Bible’s teaching. This study is very practical because it helps us think about the life of Christ’s people together.
If we belong to Christ, we are not meant to live the Christian life in isolation. Christ gathers His people, builds His church, and gives us a place in His body.
This study at a glance
The church is people
The church means an assembly, a gathering of called-out ones, not a building.
The church belongs to Christ
He is its head, and His people are His body.
The church has a shared life and task
Worship, truth, ordinances, fellowship, discipline, and mission all belong to the life of the local church.
What is the church?
The word church means an assembly, a gathering of called-out ones. It refers to people, not buildings or organisations.
In the New Testament it is used in two main ways.
Local churches
Read Acts 11:25-26, Acts 14:23, and Acts 15:41.
The church universal
Believers everywhere in every age. Read Ephesians 3:21.
Who are the members?
The members of the church are those who have been called to faith in Christ and redeemed by Him. Read 1 Corinthians 1:2 and Ephesians 5:25-26.
They show their newfound faith in Christ by being baptised and gathering with the other believers. Read Acts 14:27 and 1 Corinthians 11:18. See also Acts 2:38-47 and Acts 5:14.
What are the functions of the local church?
The Bible gives several clear functions to the local church.
Worship of God
Worship is a wide term, not just singing. It includes singing, prayer, reading the Bible, and preaching. Read John 4:23-24, Hebrews 10:24-25, Ephesians 5:19-20, Psalm 100, and Romans 12:1-2.
Teaching and preaching the truth
Read Acts 20:25-31, 1 Timothy 4:13, 2 Timothy 2:2, and 2 Timothy 4:2.
Ordinances
Baptism and the Lord’s Supper belong to the life of the church. Read Acts 19:4-5 and 1 Corinthians 11:23-32.
Fellowship
Sharing spiritual things together. Read Acts 2:42 and Ephesians 4:16, 29, 32.
Discipline
Read Matthew 18:15-18. See also Titus 3:10-11.
Evangelism and mission
Read Matthew 28:19-20, Romans 1:16-17, and Romans 10:13-17.
How is the church ruled?
Christ is its head
Read Ephesians 1:22-23. See also Colossians 1:18 and Ephesians 5:23-24.
Christ rules by His Word and Spirit
Christ’s rule is applied as the Holy Spirit applies the Word of God to the community. Read Colossians 3:15-17.
Christ exercises authority through recognised means
Through elders, overseers, and pastors, and through the gathered church. Read 1 Timothy 5:17-20, 1 Peter 5:1-3, 1 Corinthians 5:1-3, 13, and Matthew 18:15-18.
Leaders in the church
Leaders in the church are referred to as elders and deacons and sometimes leaders.
Elders
In each local church there was a group of elders also known as pastors, overseers, bishops, and under-shepherds. The names are interchangeable.
Their role is preaching, teaching, ruling, pastoral shepherding work, and being a good example. Read 1 Peter 5:1-4, 1 Timothy 3:1-13, 1 Timothy 5:17-20, Hebrews 13:7, Acts 20:17-18, and Titus 1:5-9.
Deacons
There was also a group of deacons, servants, to help the church. Read Philippians 1:1 and 1 Timothy 3:1-13.
Church membership
Early churches obviously recognised who belonged. Read 1 Corinthians 5:13 and Acts 5:14.
We all have the duty of belonging to a local church. Read Hebrews 10:24-25 and Acts 2:43-47.
Believers
Those who truly trust Christ.
Baptised by immersion
This is the pattern the booklet gives for church membership.
Willing to join in unity and love
Read Ephesians 4:1-16.
You may be wondering
Is the church mainly a building?
No. The church refers first of all to people, an assembly of those called out by God.
Do I really need a local church if I am a Christian?
Yes. Scripture presents believers as belonging together, gathering together, and serving together in a local body.
What should I look for in a church?
Look for a church where Christ is honoured, the Bible is read and preached, the ordinances are practised, fellowship is real, and the gospel is taken seriously.
Why are leadership and membership important?
Because Christ does not leave His people disordered. He gives structure, oversight, and a real shared life for the good of the body.
Reflection and response
Take time over these questions and answer them carefully from Scripture.
- What is a church? When looking for a church to attend, what should you look for?
- Who should belong to a church?
- If you belong to a church, what is your place in the body, what are your responsibilities and privileges?
A simple prayer before moving on
Keep going
Having considered the church, the next study turns to baptism and the Lord’s Supper, the two ordinances Christ has given to His people.
