What is the Church and why is it needed?

What does the Bible mean by the word church, or what does the New Testament say about the church? Do Christians alone use the word church? How is the church depicted in the Bible, and what is it compared to? Is there one church or many?

We will talk about all this in this article, we will analyze the scriptures step by step, and based on the texts we will see what the Bible says about the church.

Universal One Church of Christ

The word church

, is translated from Greek as “
ecclesia
”, which means “convened association or assembly.”
In ancient Greece, this was the name given to a meeting of citizens with equal voting rights, be it a city or a village. In the Biblical sense a church
is a gathering or community of believers united in their obedience to the call of
God in Jesus Christ
.

The Church is depicted in the New Testament from different angles, with the goal of eliminating misinterpretations and giving a full understanding of the true meaning of God’s project. The Bible uses different comparative descriptions and views the Church as a living universal organism, containing two important aspects leading to one goal. In this way the church is truly universal.

Description of the Church in the New Testament

The New Testament describes the church as a spiritual building

The Apostle Paul's first letter to the Christians in Corinth contained a serious theme for the local church. Paul, seeing that disagreements had arisen in the community, false teachers and obvious sin had appeared, hastens to remind us of the power of Christ in the life of the church, and in the life of every Christian.

Paul wants to convey with his message the main idea that despite all the dangers and threats that people pose, they have forgotten who the head of the church is. A Christian must understand that people are not the head of the church. Reminds us that we are just co-workers, we are God’s field, and we must completely submit to Christ!

For we are fellow workers with God, and you are God’s field, God’s building. 1 Corinthians chapter 3 – Bible: 9 v.

Also, Peter in his letter strengthens Christians and calls upon them to remain faithful to Christ, faithful to His teaching in all circumstances.

Peter does this very emphatically in his epistle:

Indicates that a Christian is saved and redeemed by Jesus Christ. (First Epistle of Peter 1, 3 v. 2, 10 v.)
Calls on Christians to show submission to Christ and His teachings, which calls for respect for the existing social order in society in order to be able to testify to Christ. (First Epistle of Peter 2 11 - 25 v. 3 12 v.)
Shows that a Christian, imitating the suffering of Christ, through similar personal suffering, achieves perfection. (First Epistle of Peter 3 13 - 22 v. 5 11 v.)

All members of the church, including and above all the pastor and minister, being in obedience to Christ, must build themselves into a spiritual house. Only under Christ's leadership can a community be a holy priesthood

-
a church
that will begin to bear good fruits in the form of spiritual sacrifices - favorable to God.

Drawing strength from the grace given to us in Christ Jesus

- make spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God:

Dedicate yourself every day to the Lord (As a person is alone with himself in his heart in his thoughts, so is he in life. For the Lord looks at the heart).
Avoid the temptations of Satan and the snares of this world.
Throw away the love of money, hypocrisy, pride.
Put on righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience and meekness. Our very life, which is now all before God, is a transformation from day to day in accordance with God's holy standards.
Our inner world should become the personification of reverence and virtue.
Cultivate in your character the desire to be absolutely devoted to the Lord in all areas of life. Only then will we experience God's power in life and ministry when we submit to the head of the church, Jesus Christ!

Only such sacrifices and fruits, produced by Jesus Christ Himself, through every Christian redeemed and included in the Church of Christ, are acceptable to God!

The fruits that Christ wants to produce through every Christian are also known. These are the fruits of our faith that are pleasing to God, brought by every believer who builds a spiritual house from himself:

Holiness
Love
Joy
World
Longsuffering
Goodness
Mercy
Faith
Meekness
Abstinence

and you yourselves, like living stones, are being built up into a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 1st Peter chapter 2 – Bible: 5 v.

The New Testament describes the church as a spiritual Temple

Do you not know that you are the temple of God, and the Spirit of God lives in you? 1 Corinthians chapter 3 – Bible: 16 v.

in which the whole building, coming together harmoniously, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, in which you also are being built into a habitation of God by the Spirit. Ephesians chapter 2 – Bible: 21-22 v.

The New Testament describes the church as a Body

For we have all been baptized into one body by one Spirit, whether Jew or Greek, slave or free, and we have all been given one Spirit to drink. 1 Corinthians chapter 12 – Bible: 13 v.

And you are the body of Christ, and separately you are members. 1 Corinthians chapter 12 – Bible: 27 v.

The New Testament Describes the Church as a Bride

For I am jealous for you with the jealousy of God; because I have betrothed you to one husband, in order to present you to Christ as a pure virgin. 2 Corinthians chapter 11 – Bible: 2 v.

Let us rejoice and be glad and give Him glory; For the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready. Revelation of John chapter 19 – Bible: 7 v.

And one of the seven angels came to me, who had the seven bowls filled with the seven last plagues, and said to me: Go, I will show you a wife, the bride of the Lamb. Revelation of John chapter 21 – Bible: 9 v.

Both the Spirit and the bride say: come! And let him who hears say: Come! Let him who is thirsty come, and let him who desires take the water of life freely. Revelation of John chapter 22 – Bible: 17 v.

The New Testament describes the church as a flock

So, take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the Church of the Lord and God, which He purchased with His own blood. Acts of the Apostles chapter 20 – Bible: 28 v.

The doorkeeper opens for him, and the sheep obey his voice, and he calls his sheep by name and leads them out. And when he brings out his sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, because they know his voice. Gospel of John chapter 10 - Bible: 3 - 4 art.

Fear not, little flock! for your Father has been pleased to give you the Kingdom. Gospel of Luke chapter 12 – Bible: 32 v.

Russian Orthodox Church (ROC)

Its other official and frequently used name is the Moscow Patriarchate (MP). Among all the world's local autocephalous churches, that is, those covering a certain territory with their influence and governed by a bishop in the rank of bishop to patriarch, the Russian Orthodox Church is the largest. In addition, on the territory of Russia it is the largest and most influential religious organization.

The beginning of the history of the Russian Orthodox Church is associated with the baptism of Rus', which took place in 988. In that era, it was only a metropolis - one of the parts of the Patriarchate of Constantinople, and its first primate was Metropolitan Michael, sent to Rus' by the Byzantine Patriarch Nicholas II Chrysoverg.

Stronghold of World Orthodoxy (1453) Moscow became the only stronghold of world Orthodoxy - a kind of Third Rome. It received its final formalization in Rus' after the establishment of the patriarchate in 1589.

The New Testament describes the church indirectly as a family

For it was fitting that He, for whom are all things and from whom are all things, bringing many sons to glory, should make the leader of their salvation through suffering. For both he who sanctifies and those who are sanctified are all from One; therefore He is not ashamed to call them brethren, saying: “I will proclaim Your name to My brethren, in the midst of the church I will sing Your praises.” And again: “I will trust in Him.” And again: “Here I am and the children whom God gave Me.” Hebrews chapter 2 – Bible: 10-13 v.

In the family of God - God is the Father

See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called and be children of God. The world does not know us because it has not known Him. 1 John chapter 3 – Bible: 1 v.

For this reason I bow my knees before the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and on earth is named, Epistle to the Ephesians 3 chapter - Bible: 14-15 vv.

In the family of God, Jesus Christ is the Son

For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life. Gospel of John chapter 3 – Bible: 16 v.

In the family of God, believers are children of God

And to those who accepted Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the power to become children of God, Gospel of John chapter 1 - Bible: 12 art.

In the family of God, believers are brothers and sisters of Jesus

for whoever does the will of My Father in Heaven is My brother, and sister, and mother. Gospel of Matthew chapter 12 – Bible: 50 v.

For those whom He foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Romans 8 - Bible: 29 v.

In the family of God, believers are brothers and sisters to each other

to the saints and faithful brothers in Christ Jesus who are in Colosse: Colossians chapter 1 - Bible: 2 v.

I present to you Phoebe, our sister, deaconess of the Church of Cenchrea. Romans 16 - Bible: 1st Art.

For those whom He foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Romans 8 - Bible: 29 v.

In the family of God, all believers are members of God

So, you are no longer strangers and aliens, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, Ephesians chapter 2 - Bible: 19 v.

Tests of the 20th century

The 20th century also became a period of severe trials for the entire Russian Orthodox Church, when, as a result of the seizure of power by the Bolsheviks, terror was established against its ministers and the most active parishioners, comparable in scale only to the persecutions of the first centuries of Christianity. It is not for nothing that these decades became the period when many Russian new martyrs and confessors gained crowns of holiness. Nowadays, there is an active process of its revival, which began with perestroika, which allowed the people to turn to their spiritual origins.

The Bible Talks About Two Aspects of the Church

First aspect

- this is the universality of the church, which embraces the entire totality of all believers of all times and peoples.

and I say to you: you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My Church, and the gates of hell will not prevail against it; Gospel of Matthew chapter 16 – Bible: 18 v.

so that now the manifold wisdom of God may be made known through the Church to the principalities and powers in heaven, Ephesians 3 chapter - Bible: 10 v.

To him be glory in the Church in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, from age to age. Amen. Ephesians chapter 3 - Bible: 21 v.

But just as the Church submits to Christ, so do wives to their husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the Church and gave Himself for her in order to sanctify her, cleansing her with the washing of water through the word; to present it to Himself as a glorious Church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing, but that it might be holy and without blemish. So husbands should love their wives as they love their bodies: he who loves his wife loves himself. For no one has ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and warms it, just as the Lord does the Church, because we are members of His body, from His flesh and from His bones. Ephesians chapter 5 - Bible: 24-30 v.

Second aspect

- this is a local church, which is visible but represents only a part of the universal church and unites only a certain part of the believers.

if he does not listen to them, tell the church; and if he does not listen to the church, then let him be to you as a pagan and a tax collector. Gospel of Matthew chapter 18 – Bible: 17 v.

Saul approved of his murder. In those days there was a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem; and everyone, except the Apostles, was scattered to different places in Judea and Samaria. Acts of the Apostles Chapter 8 – Bible: 1st Art.

In Antioch, in the church there, there were certain prophets and teachers: Barnabas, and Simeon, who is called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manael, a fellow pupil of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. Acts of the Apostles Chapter 13 – Bible: 1st Art.

Having ordained them elders for each church, they prayed with fasting and commended them to the Lord in whom they believed. Acts of the Apostles Chapter 14 – Bible: 23 Art.

Greet the brothers in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and his house church. When this message is read to you, then arrange for it to be read in the Laodicean church; and you also read the one from Laodicea. Colossians chapter 4 – Bible: 15-16 v.

The first aspect and basis of the universal church.

At the head, at the foundation of the spiritual building of the universal church is Christ Himself! He is the head of the corner. It is Jesus who is the creator of the Church, and only His work of salvation led to the creation of the Church.

As we see from the scripture, the structure of a spiritual temple is compared with the structure of an architectural structure. However, just as any architectural building requires a foundation, a spiritual temple also needs a solid foundation. This solid foundation is Jesus Christ, the founder of the church.

He is the stone that was neglected by you who build, but has become the head of the corner, and there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved. Acts of the Apostles chapter 4 – Bible: 11-12 v.

Approaching Him, a living stone, rejected by men, but chosen and precious by God, 1st Epistle of Peter chapter 2 - Bible: 4 art.

having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, Ephesians 2 chapter - Bible: 20 v.

For no one can lay any other foundation than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians chapter 3 – Bible: 11 v.

For by Him all things were created, that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible: whether thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers - all things were created by Him and for Him; and He is before all things, and by Him all things stand. And He is the head of the body of the Church; He is the firstfruits, the firstborn from the dead, so that He might have primacy in everything, for it pleased the Father that all fullness should dwell in Him, and that through Him he might reconcile all things to Himself, making peace through Him, through the Blood of His cross, both earthly and heavenly. Colossians chapter 1 – Bible: 16-20 v.

Universal Church Members

The Church is built and composed of all saved people, without distinction of race, language or nationality. Thus, all who have received the Holy Spirit are members of the Body of the Church.

However, it is impossible to build a building from crooked, unsightly and unusable bricks. Try to build something durable from such building material, this is impossible due to the deformation of the bricks, we will have to calibrate, level, grind and adjust them to one another.

We humans are such unusable bricks. God wants to build a church, but man, as he is by nature, is not suitable for Him. First, a person must go through some process of trimming, calibrating, renewing the mind. Let's see how this happens in the New Testament.

And every day they remained in the temple with one accord and, breaking bread from house to house, ate their food with joy and simplicity of heart, praising God and being in the love of all the people. The Lord daily added those who were being saved to the Church. Acts of the Apostles Chapter 2 – Bible: 46-47 v.

For we have all been baptized into one body by one Spirit, whether Jew or Greek, slave or free, and we have all been given one Spirit to drink. 1 Corinthians chapter 12 – Bible: 13 v.

And if the ear says: “I do not belong to the body, because I am not an eye,” then does it really not belong to the body? 1 Corinthians chapter 12 – Bible: 16 v.

How to become part of the Church of Christ?

Necessary basic sequential steps:

accept the Word of truth - the Word of God
turn to Christ in repentance
having believed and personally turned to Jesus Christ, with firm faith accept the forgiveness of sins and the eternal salvation of the soul

Hearing this, they were touched in their hearts and said to Peter and the other Apostles: What should we do, men and brethren? Peter said to them: Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins; and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Acts of the Apostles Chapter 2 – Bible: 37-38 v.

In Him you also, having heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in Him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the earnest of our inheritance, for the redemption of His inheritance, to the praise of His glory. Ephesians chapter 1 - Bible: 13-14 v.

Everyone who accepts salvation, no matter who he is, is reunited with the Church at the same moment.

praising God and being favored by all the people. The Lord daily added those who were being saved to the Church. Acts of the Apostles Chapter 2 – Bible: 47 v.

The Universal Church is a spiritual organism that is not visible in the aggregate. It represents the spiritual reality of the family of God.

And pointing His hand at His disciples, He said: Here are My mother and My brothers; For whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother, and sister, and mother. Gospel of Matthew chapter 12 - Bible: 49-50 v.

Head of the Universal Church

The existence of the universal Church does not depend on any organizational human activity. The head of the Church is Jesus Christ Himself.

For proper further understanding, the Bible describes the church using a certain metaphor, comparing the Church to the human body.

If we imagine a body without a head, then we immediately understand that something is missing here, the body cannot live and exist without a head. Why does the body need a head? A person needs a head for management and control.

And the Church needs a “head”, a head. Who is this head?

And He is the head of the body of the Church; He is the firstfruits, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He might have the preeminence, Colossians chapter 1 - Bible: 18 v.

and He put all things under His feet, and made Him above all things, the head of the Church, which is His Body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all. Ephesians 1 chapter - Bible: 22-23 v.

but with true love they grew all into Him who is the head Christ, Ephesians chapter 4 - Bible: 15 v.

because the husband is the head of the wife, just as Christ is the head of the Church, and He is the Savior of the body. Ephesians chapter 5 - Bible: 23 v.

and I say to you: you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My Church, and the gates of hell will not prevail against it; Gospel of Matthew chapter 16 – Bible: 18 v.

It is He, Jesus, who directs the creation, sanctification and life of the Church

, and also controls.

from which the whole body, composed and copulated through all kinds of mutually fastening bonds, with the action of each member in its measure, receives an increase for the creation of itself in love. Ephesians chapter 4 – Bible: 16 v.

to present it to Himself as a glorious Church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing, but that it might be holy and without blemish. Ephesians chapter 5 - Bible: 27 v.

This one, being the radiance of glory and the image of His hypostasis and holding everything by the word of His power, having accomplished the cleansing of our sins, sat down at the right hand (throne) of the Majesty on high, Epistle to the Hebrews 1 chapter - Bible: 3 art.

Unity of the Universal Church

The Universal Church, like the human body, is a single whole.

One of the features of the human body is the nervous system. It permeates the entire body, right down to the tips of the fingers and toes;

The nervous system is not visible from the outside;
Through the nervous system, the head can control the entire body and coordinate its actions;
The nervous system ensures the unity of action of the body.

The Holy Spirit works in the same way in the Church:

The Holy Spirit lives in every part of the body of the Church;
The Holy Spirit is invisible;
Jesus Christ works through the Holy Spirit;
The Holy Spirit ensures the unity of the Church.

so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. Romans 12 - Bible: 5 v.

There is one body and one spirit, just as you are called to one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, Ephesians chapter 4 - Bible: 4-5 vv.

The unity of the church is primarily the work of the Holy Spirit

, since all its members received “one Spirit.”

...trying to maintain the unity of spirit in the union of peace. There is one body and one spirit, just as you are called to one hope of your calling; Ephesians chapter 4 – Bible: 3-4 v.

Yet all these things are done by one and the same Spirit, distributing to each one individually, as He pleases. For just as the body is one, but has many members, and all the members of one body, although many, constitute one body, so is Christ. For we have all been baptized into one body by one Spirit, whether Jew or Greek, slave or free, and we have all been given one Spirit to drink. 1 Corinthians chapter 12 – Bible: 11-13 v.

In addition, the children of God are united by one common hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism.

There is one body and one spirit, just as you are called to one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in us all. Ephesians chapter 4 – Bible: 4-6 vv.

However, such unity does not at all mean complete similarity of all participants in the Church of Christ.

For just as the body is one, but has many members, and all the members of one body, although many, constitute one body, so is Christ. For we have all been baptized into one body by one Spirit, whether Jew or Greek, slave or free, and we have all been given one Spirit to drink. The body is not made of one member, but of many. If the foot says: “I do not belong to the body, because I am not a hand,” then does it really not belong to the body? And if the ear says: “I do not belong to the body, because I am not an eye,” then does it really not belong to the body? If the whole body is eyes, then where is the hearing? If everything is hearing, then where is the sense of smell? 1 Corinthians chapter 12 – Bible: 12-17 v.

Purpose of the Universal Church

The action of the church is directed in three directions.

First action

upward direction:
praise God!
Up direction

- Glorify God with praise!

Up direction

- Glorify God with song!

Up direction

- Glorify God in your prayers!

so that with one accord, with one mouth, you may glorify God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 15 - Bible: 6 v.

So, whether you eat, drink, or whatever you do, do everything to the glory of God. 1 Corinthians chapter 10 – Bible: 31 v.

And when He took the book, then the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each having a harp and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. And they sing a new song, saying: You are worthy to take the book and to open the seals from it, for You were slain, and with Your Blood you redeemed us to God from every tribe and tongue and people and nation, and made us kings and priests to our God; and we will reign on the earth. And I saw and heard the voice of many angels around the throne and the living creatures and the elders, and their number was ten thousand ten thousand, and thousands of thousands, who said with a loud voice: “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing.” . And every creature that is in heaven, and on earth, and under the earth, and on the sea, and everything that is in them, I heard saying: To him that sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, be blessing and honor and glory and dominion forever and ever. And the four living creatures said: Amen. And the twenty-four elders fell down and worshiped Him who lives forever. Revelation of John chapter 5 – Bible: 8-14 v.

After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude of people, which no one could number, from all nations, and tribes, and peoples, and languages, stood before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes and with palm branches in their hands. And they cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” And all the angels stood around the throne, and the elders, and the four living creatures, and fell on their faces before the throne, and worshiped God, saying: Amen! blessing and glory, and wisdom and thanksgiving, and honor and strength and strength to our God forever and ever! Amen. Revelation of John chapter 7 – Bible: 9-12 v.

Second act

outward direction: to introduce the world to God and His will,
to proclaim Jesus Christ and His work of salvation
outward direction

- delve into the Word and live according to the Word of God, teach others!

Outward direction

- go and teach others!

Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Amen. Gospel of Matthew chapter 28 – Bible: 19-20 v.

but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the ends of the earth. Acts of the Apostles Chapter 1 – Bible: 8 Art.

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a special people, to proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 1st Peter chapter 2 – Bible: 9 v.

So, we are messengers on behalf of Christ, and it is as if God Himself exhorts through us; On behalf of Christ we ask: be reconciled with God. 2 Corinthians chapter 5 – Bible: 20 v.

But thanks be to God, who always allows us to triumph in Christ and spreads the fragrance of knowledge of Himself to us in every place. For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing: for some a savor of death unto death, and for others a savor of life unto life. And who is capable of this? 2 Corinthians chapter 2 – Bible: 14-16 v.

so that you may be blameless and pure, children of God without blemish among a crooked and perverse generation, in which you shine as lights in the world, containing the word of life, to my praise in the day of Christ, that I have not labored in vain and have not labored in vain. Philippians chapter 2 - Bible: 16-16 v.

Third act

, inward:
grow
both
qualitatively
and quantitatively to the “full measure of growth.”

Direction inward

- grow spiritually!

Direction inward

— help others grow spiritually!

And He appointed some as apostles, others as prophets, others as evangelists, others as shepherds and teachers, for the equipping of the saints, for the work of ministry, for the edification of the Body of Christ, until we all come into the unity of the faith and the knowledge of the Son of God, into perfect men, to the measure the full stature of Christ; so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by every wind of doctrine, by the cunning of men, by the cunning art of deception, but by true love we may return all things to Him who is the head, Christ, from whom the whole body is composed and held together by every mutually binding bond, when each member acts to its own extent, it receives an increase for the creation of itself in love. Ephesians chapter 4 – Bible: 11-16 v.

Schism and abolition of the patriarchate

Heavy upheavals befell the Russian Orthodox Church in the middle of the 17th century, when, on the initiative of Patriarch Nikon, a church reform was carried out, which aimed to correct liturgical books, as well as introduce certain changes of a purely ritual nature. The result of these essentially correct and reasonable, but untimely and ill-considered actions was the discontent of a significant part of the country's population, which resulted in a church schism, the consequences of which are still felt today.

Unlike the Western branch of Christianity, the Russian Orthodox Church throughout its history (with rare exceptions) did not pretend to replace secular institutions of power. Moreover, in 1700, after the death of Patriarch Adrian, it, by order of Peter I, completely came under the subordination of the Holy Synod, which was, in fact, nothing more than a ministry headed, moreover, by a secular person. The patriarchate was restored only in 1943.

Is it really that important?

As long as we know to whom we, as the people of God, are turning, then maybe not. But the confusion that remains today as to whether the church is a building or a group of people stems from the fact that kyriakos are buildings, not congregations, while ecclesia are people. Moreover, since the building of church buildings (which the New Testament never encouraged us to build) is closely associated with Christian hostility towards Jews, the less negative history-laden word, community, is more acceptable*.

Now tell me, do you think this is important? Share your opinion in the comments!

Note: William Tyndale died for his faith as he was executed in 1536, while the KJV enjoyed the protectorate of King James... who do you think was more truthful in their translation?

*I have nothing against buildings; I mean the huge monumental churches of Europe.

Author - Ron Kantor / messiahsmandate.org Translation - Taras Lysenko for

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Religious buildings

Continuing the conversation about what the word “church” means, one cannot lose sight of its use in relation to Christian places of worship intended for performing religious rites and services. They may also be called temples or cathedrals. Moreover, if, in general, any church can be called a temple, then a cathedral is, as a rule, the main church of a monastery or an entire city. When the chair of the ruling bishop is placed in it, it receives the status of a cathedral.

Churches should not be confused with chapels. Their main difference is not in size, but in the presence or absence of the room in which the altar is located - an obligatory accessory of the church. There are no altars in the chapels and therefore, except in extreme cases, the liturgy is not celebrated in them. From all of the above it is clear that the church is not only a religious organization or a philosophical concept, but also a specific religious building.