What is Church?

What is the Church? I am sure that you have an answer. The biblical definition of 'church'� is a far cry from how the world and the believers in Christ use it. The world often says: "Let's go to church"� (meaning building)! Or, let us have church! (meaning time for celebration or teaching). Or, the church will have to decide what the policy is (meaning policy maker). And I am sure you will have other definitions. But, the biblical definition for "church"� is "called out". The believer in Christ has been called out of his / her sins and the lifestyle they were living. And the Church has been called to live a Christ-like lifestyle that will show what the Kingdom of God should look like. The believer in Christ, commonly designated as a Christian, is to live a lifestyle that will exemplify who Christ is and how the believer in Christ would live in any given culture. This in itself is a very large responsibility and privilege. This is quiet an honor that is placed upon us. After all, Christ did die as the Ultimate Sacrifice in order that our sins are forgiven. Let us consider what the church is. There are two things that come to mind that will describe what the Church is: 1. The Church is an entity that has an eternal message. It carries the most important message in the world. They have the responsibility of tell the story of Jesus and His death and resurrection. Let us remember that the Lord Jesus Christ gave this message to the Church. Within this message there is forgiveness, peace, joy, and eternal life. This message will bring conviction of sin, of His righteousness, and of the judgment to come. This message must penetrate into all cultures and mindsets. The Church is not to be ashamed of this Good News. 2. The Church is an entity that has been given a gift that will grow the Church! This gift was given by Jesus to the Early Church and continues today! This gift is a marvelous gift and needed in every person's life. There are not enough natural gifts in the world to grown the Church of Christ. But, with this one gift the believer will be empowered to be a witness of the living Lord. Thus He gave His Holy Spirit to us that will help us to be bold, to be powerful, and to be exalting to the King of kings! If the Church were prioritizing other things and requirements other than these two basic requirements it would be found guilty of not fulfilling its God-given and biblical mission. The mission of the Church is to go into the world and witness the life of Jesus to all cultures.