GOD’S HOUSE – HIS CHURCH

“And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build MY CHURCH, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it” – Matthew 16:18

Where does God live? In our present dispensation, GOD’S HOUSE is HIS CHURCH – “the CHURCH of the Living God, the pillar and ground of truth V (1Tim.3:15). God has designed and built a wonderful and eternal home for Himself – the Church. God lives in His church, the body of believers. While it is true that He also lives in heaven and in the hearts of each of His children and everyone who truly loves Him, God lives among His people. He resides in His Church. The Lord Jesus Christ revealed and declared that the Church belongs to and is being built by Him: “and on this rock I will build MY CHURCH, and the gates of hades shall not prevail against it” (Mt.16:18).

The Greek word for ‘Church’ is Ekklesia which means “a called-out company of people.” It identifies the community of believers in Jesus Christ. The term literally means “assembly,” “congregation,” or “meeting.” The Church of the Living God is the universal company of Blood-bought, redeemed people in Christ; not just church-goers: “Simon has declared how God at the first visited the Gentiles to take out of them a people for His name” (Acts 15:14). The Church embraces all those who are spiritually united in Christ, the Head (Col.1:18). In the New Testament, no synagogue, temple, chapel, tabernacle, building or any other meeting place was ever called a “church.” The term always referred to the Christian assembly – both the local community of believers and the overall collection of Christians.

There are thus two senses to the word “church” – the local and universal. The local is defined by its geographical setting. Churches in the New Testament were identified by the name of a city, never by the name of a country or region. For example: “the churches of Galatia” in plural because Galatia was a region with many cities, and therefore, many local churches. When talking about Corinth, Ephesus or Thessalonica, the singular form is used and the name of the city identifies the church. Each of these churches was comprised of the Christian residents of the same city. The universal sense refers to the collection of believers in Jesus Christ from all times and places, both Jews and Gentiles. The first meeting of the universal church will occur during the rapture (1The.4:16-17).

God is building His wonderful home, filled with all who follow Jesus, in neighborhoods, villages, cities, and across nations: local churches and assemblies of believers – companies of faithful people, separated from the world and its patterns, gathered in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, whom they believe in, truly worship and readily obey. The church has as its cornerstone none other than Jesus Christ. Its foundation is His Word as proclaimed by the apostles and prophets, who have made known the wonders of His love and grace throughout history: “having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit” (Eph.2:20-22).

The Church is therefore bigger than any denomination; it embraces people of all nations, tribes and tongues. This wonderful House of God is a marvelous temple, a true mansion beyond our imagining. But the most incredible thing about His House is that you and I are invited to build with Him and live and work in it. We are not simply invited as visitors and guests, but in Christ we are part of the family – children – brothers and sisters of Jesus. We are heirs: “heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ” (Rom.8:17). Are you a member of this wonderful family of God? Are you enjoying the Father’s Home?