Definition of the word Church

I have not to my knowledge posted anything on this blog about the word "Church". When the word "Church" is used it is often not understood, particularly in certain context. One such context is found in relation to Church discipline. It is always important to define one's terms whether the term is time, or even Church. We ought to know what one is talking about and we do so when definitions are right set forth. In Matthew 18:17 it is said that if a man will not listen to two or three witnesses then one ought to tell it to the church. Often the term Church in this context is meant to mean a pastor or some sort of leader. However, this is not so. I say this in light of the fact that the term church is an assembly and in this context it is an assembly of God or an assembly that has been called out by God. It is an igglesia or we might say Ecclesia which means Called out ones.

I am not the only one who believes this. There are others who say the same thing. According to the Smalcald Articles, A Lutheran set of beliefs, says, "We do not concede to the papists that they are the church, for they are not. Nor shall we pay any attention to what they command or forbid in the name of the church, for, thank God, a seven-year-old child knows what the church is, namely, holy believers and sheep who hear the voice of their Shepherd."

John Glas, the father in law of Robert Sandeman, says, "Before we proceed to inquire into this, it may be observed, that we do not find the officers or representatives of any church or churches, or any congregation or assembly of them, called the church; but we find the people distinguished from them, and called the church: Acts 15. 22. . . . Acts 14. 23. . . . Acts 20. 17. 28. . . ." - The works of John Glas, Pg. 158


Martin Luther on what a true Christian community is:

It is necessary, first of all, to know where and what a Christian community is so that men may not engage in purely human affairs under cover of the name of a Christian church, as has always been the custom of non-Christians. The certain mark by which a Christian community can be recognized is the preaching of the gospel in its purity. Just as one can tell by the military banner, as by a sure sign, what leader and what army have taken the field, so one may surely know by the gospel where Christ and his people are stationed. Of this we have God's sure promise in Isaiah 55 [:10, 11], 'My word that goes forth from my mouth shall not return to me empty, but as the rain comes down from heaven and waters the earth, so shall my word accomplish that which I purpose.' Hence we are certain that where the gospel is preached there must be Christians, no matter how few in number or how sinful and weak they may be. We are just as certain that where the gospel is not preached and where the doctrines of men hold sway there can be no Christians but only heathen, no matter how great their numbers or how pious and good their lives.
From this it follows unquestionably that the bishops, foundations, monastic houses, and all the rest of that crew have long since ceased to be either Christians or a Christian community, though they have flaunted this name as their exclusive possession. Anybody who knows what the gospel is can see, hear, and understand that to this very day they rely on their human teachings and have altogether rejected, and are still rejecting, the gospel. Whatever such people do and say must therefore be regarded as heathen and of this world." - Martin Luther, Right and Power of a Christian Church, Pg. 325-326


John W Robbins says

"Paul's final greeting is to 'the church in your house.' In the New Testament, the word church is never used of a building. We have drifted so far from the teaching of the New Testament that some Christians now think they are not in a church unless they are in a church building, or at least affiliated with an organization that owns such a building. But in the New Testament, the church is a society that meets for the purpose of publicly worshiping God. All Christians, as members of Christ's body, which is the invisible church, are members of Christ's church. When some of them gather together for public worship in a particular place, they are called a particular church: in this case, 'the church in your house.' Just as the New Testament never uses the word church to refer to a building, so it never uses the word church to refer only to church officers. It does not even mention such officers or offices as popes, cardinals, episcopal bishops, archbishops, trustees, superintendents, assistant pastors, associate pastors, music ministers, or youth pastors. All those offices have been invented by men. The church in Philemon's house is the entire group of Christians that meets there for worship. They are all part of the ekklesia." - John Robbins, Slavery and Christianity