diff --git a/church.md b/church.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..bafaf84 --- /dev/null +++ b/church.md @@ -0,0 +1,17 @@ +# Church + +In the New Testament, the word “church” is used to talk about a group of Christians who regularly met together. They met to pray and to hear people preach and teach from the Bible. Often Christians in a city met together in someone's home (see: Colossians 4:25; Philemon 1:2). Christians named these churches after the city where they met. For example, the “church of the Thessalonians” was the church in Thessalonica (see: 1 Thessalonians 1:1). That is, it was all the Christians in Thessalonica. + +The words “the church” can also be used to talk about all Christians in all places (see: 1 Corinthians 5:12; 10:32). When someone is not talking about all Christians in all places, they might use the words “local church.” They are talking about the Christians in their area. + +In the Bible, the word “church” does not mean a building where Christians worship. But today, “church” can mean a building where Christians worship. + +See: Pray (Prayer); Preach (Preacher); Worship + +#### More Information About This Topic + +In the New Testament, Jesus was the first to talk about the church. This happened after Peter said that Jesus is the messiah and the Son of God (see: Matthew 16:16-19). The church is made of people who also believe that Jesus is the messiah and the Son of God. Jesus loves and cares for the church (see: Ephesians 5:25, 27, 29). The church serves Jesus (see: Ephesians 5:24). + +The church is also described as the “bride of Christ,” the “body of Christ,” and as a “temple.” + +See: Messiah (Christ); Son of God; Serve (Servant, Slave); Bride of Christ; Body of Christ; Temple