The church in the Bible was in the mind of God before He formed the world (Eph. 3.8-13). It is known to be the eternal purpose of God through Christ and the gospel. The church (thousands of years before Pentecost in A.D. 30) was prophesied during the Old Testament and therefore was not an afterthought as some false teachers attempt to proclaim. Men inspired by the Holy Spirit were tasked to write for posterity’s sake the future people of God and thus giving us the evidence needed to believe God without reservation (2 Pet. 1.19-21).

Men such as Isaiah wrote and spoke of the house of God and how all nations would one day hear the word come forth from the place of origination-Jerusalem (2.1-3; 1 Tim. 3.15; Acts 2.1-47). Also, men such as Daniel were inspired to speak about the kingdom of God, which Jesus called the church, which will be a kingdom not left to other people nor will ever be destroyed (Dan. 2.44; Matt. 16.13-19). Last but definitely definitely not least, men such as King David foretold of the coming kingdom of God, and how one of his royal descendants would establish the kingdom as a place of comfort, spiritual education, and life. (2 Sam. 7.12-14; Acts 2.29-32).

The church in the Bible is known by different designations, names or titles. She is known as the WAY (Acts 9.2). Saul of Tarsus would persecute them and cast them into prison. She is known as the church of Christ, who was to greet one another with a holy kiss (Romans 16.16). Being a worshiping entity, she is called
the Temple of God (Eph. 2.21). She is the body of Christ (1 Cor. 12.12-27; Col. 1.18; Eph. 1.22-23). She is as mentioned earlier by Isaiah, as the house of God (1 Tim. 3.15). She is the kingdom of heaven (Matt. 16.19). She is the unshakeable kingdom (Heb. 12.28). She is the holy nation (1 Pet. 2.9). These different designations are key to our understanding of the people of God.

The church in the Bible is to be a set apart people for the Lord. The church of Christ, who is set apart by the word of God, through the Spirit, has an obligation to be holy, even as our Father in heaven is holy (John 17.17; 1 Pet. 1.22 -23; 1 Pet. 1.15-16). Why is the Lord’s church to be holy? God identifies with those who separate themselves from idolatry and wickedness (2 Cor. 6.14-7.1). Those who engage in sinful behavior, have an obligation to repent and confess their sin, that God may be faithful in His forgiveness towards them (Acts 8.22-23; 1 John 1.7-9). The church in the Bible is called to be a moral influence upon a society destitute of morality and uprightness (Matt. 5.13-16). For this reason, she has to remain focused upon being blameless and harmless, without fault in this crooked and perverse generation (Phil 2.15).

The church in the Bible is scripturally organized, and not according to man-made dictates and opinions. The church in the Bible has Jesus as her head (Eph. 1.21-23; Col. 1.18). Founded upon the teachings of the Apostles and Prophets (Eph. 2.20). According to Ephesians 4.11, she is to have evangelists, pastors and teachers. According to the biblical pattern, Elders are to be Spiritually appointed according to qualifications (Acts 20.28; 1 Tim. 3.1-7). She has deacons to serve the local congregation (Phil. 1.1; 1 Tim. 3.8-13). Furthermore, she has evangelists for the purpose of preaching in the local congregation AND seeking after the lost in the local area (1 Tim. 1.3; 2 Tim. 4.1-8). Finally, the teachers are responsible for building up the church in the fundamentals, in order that they may grow up into the person of Christ (Eph. 4.12-15; Tit. 1.5ff).

Unlike the man-made denominations, which have hierarchies and secular structures, the church is not tied down with titles, thus making separations of position. For example, we are not to call men “father” as the Catholics do, thus making men to be in the position of God. Jesus said, “call no man father upon the earth” (Matt. 23.7-9). In those same passages, we are not to call men “rabbi” for the Lord Jesus is the Rabbi. In denominationalism, men are called “Pastor” and “Senior Pastor”, because they are to single-handedly watch over the church. This is false, for the Bible speaks of a multiplicity of men, working together to watch over the flock (Phil. 1.1; Acts 20.28-29).

The worship of the church is to the Father, through Jesus Christ (1 Pet. 2.5). God is to be worshiped in Spirit and in truth (John 4.24). She is authorized to worship on the first day of every week and not on a day of one’s choosing (Acts 20.7). The first century church worshiped God with singing from the heart to God, without the aid of instrumental music (Eph. 5.18-19; Col. 3.16; 1 Cor. 14.15). It is in the New Testament worship, Jesus is remembered (Matt. 26.26-28) and the brethren are to examine themselves in view of our worship to the Father (1 Cor. 11.23-31).

Finally, as the church of Christ, she has the responsibility to go into the world and preach the gospel to the world (Matt. 28.18-20). The church had the privilege to spread the word of truth, which is the gospel of their salvation (Acts 8.1-4; Eph. 1.13). The church of the bible demonstrated the Christ-like character and attitude as they went into the society teaching and preaching.