What is the Church and what it is not - Biblical definition of the term 'Church'

The M+G+R Foundation

What is the Church and what it Is Not

Biblical definition of the term "Church"

The Church is the People of God, not an institution!

[Image: The Church - The People]

PURPOSE

It is not only time to call a Spade, SPADE; it is time to Biblically define the term!

The purpose of this document is to illustrate to the misEvangelized faithful what is the true and only definition of the word "church". The sooner the Elect fully understands and accepts this reality, the less suffering they will have to endure (Pain is the megaphone that God uses for the deaf to hear Him (1)) when the final deception – the manifestation of the falsified Christ/Messiah (2) – is sprung upon humanity.

BACKGROUND

The power brokers at the Vatican have been manipulating the term "Church" as a means to subjugate further – not Evangelize as they were suppose to – the Faithful who have been entrapped by their snares.

The most heard and dangerous Vatican mantra is "Mother Church this wants this" or "Mother Church says that".

Even the valiant act by Paul VI – an act not supported by many of the purpled clerics – of officially proclaiming the Virgin Mary the Mother of the Church, did not stop them from referring to the Church as the Mother of the Faithful.

For all Christians the Church is the Mystical Body of Christ. Christians are those who strive to live what Jesus Christ taught and not those who "signed up" in Christianity because it was "the thing to do". A movement which started when Constantine made Christianity the official faith of the Roman Empire. Most, if not all, of those who "signed up" (allegedly "converted") to Christianity at that time did so as a matter of being part of the "in crowd"; i.e. "the thing to do".

In time, those hollow Christians overpowered the true Christians who proved – to the extent of giving up their lives – to be worthy disciples of Christ. Therefore, most of today's Christians are descendants of those "Christians by convenience" just like the Jews at the time of Jesus were "Jews by convenience". For more on "the Jews at the time of Jesus were 'Jews by convenience'" visit our document (3) wherein we explain why the Passover celebration of Jesus and His Apostles did not coincide with the official Passover as dictated by the Temple Masters. Those Temple Masters were the equivalent of today's Roman Catholic Administrators – The Vatican.

INTRODUCTION

The final arbiter of any matter associated with God and religion are the Holy Scriptures and not an institution. An institution is set up to help man to understand – to the extent he/she is able to – God and what God expects of him/her. However, whichever is the institution and/or its leadership, its purpose is to serve man by assisting him/her in his/her journey in Time and not to supplant God.

Just as Jesus said: The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath. [Mark 2:27], a religious institution was made for man, and not man for the religious institution; man was made for God, and only God.

As we have also explained elsewhere (4), there is Salvation outside the Roman Catholic Church, although we have also clearly stated (5) that the Catholic Faith is the faith which contains the greatest number of revealed truths. This concentration of truths and the Sacraments associated with them contribute, when not infected with institutionalized lies, to a smoother journey through Time.

Unfortunately, most of those who have placed the Roman Catholic Church institution and its man-made traditions over the clear teachings of the only Word of God – Jesus Christ – instead of using it as a source of enriching Sacraments, will constitute the bulk of those who will be ensnared by the falsification of the Second Coming of Christ.

DETAILS

What we have done is a computerized search of an on-line Bible (6) – searching for verses which contained the word "church", then we have analyzed each church-containing verse to determine what the word "church" meant, i.e., the context in which it was being used.

In most cases the context were: "the faithful", "the congregation", "the people of God" and the like. Following the reader will be able to review all the quotes which we gathered through the computerized search. Where the usage may appear to have indicated an institution, we will comment upon it using bold blue script.

From the Old Testament

Numbers

If any man be not expiated after this rite, his soul shall perish out of the midst of the church: because he hath profaned the sanctuary of the Lord, and was not sprinkled with the water of purification. [Num. 19:20]

Why have you brought out the church of the Lord into the wilderness, that both we and our cattle should die? [Num. 20:4]

Deuteronomy

An eunuch, whose testicles are broken or cut away, or yard cut off, shall not enter into the church of the Lord. [Deut. 23:1]

A mamzer, that is to say, one born of a prostitute, shall not enter into the church of the Lord, until the tenth generation. [Deut. 23:2]

The Ammonite and the Moabite, even after the tenth generation shall not enter into the church of the Lord for ever: [Deut. 23:3]

They that are born of them, in the third generation shall enter into the church of the Lord. [Deut. 23:8]

2 Esdras (Nehemiah)

And on that day they read in the book of Moses in the hearing of the people: and therein was found written, that the Ammonites and the Moabites should not come in to the church of God for ever: [2 Esd. 13:1]

Judith

And afterwards all the people were called together, and they prayed all the night long within the church, desiring help of the God of Israel. [Jth 6:21]

Psalms

I will declare thy name to my brethren: in the midst of the church will I praise thee. [Psalm 21:23]

With thee is my praise in a great church: I will pay my vows in the sight of them that fear him. [Psalm 21:26]

I will give thanks to thee in a great church; I will praise thee in a strong people. [Psalm 34:18]

I have declared thy justice in a great church, lo, I will not restrain my lips: O Lord, thou knowest it. [Psalm 39:10]

The heavens shall confess thy wonders, O Lord: and thy truth in the church of the saints. [Psalm 88:6]

And let them exalt him in the church of the people: and praise him in the chair of the ancients. [Psalm 106:32]

Sing ye to the Lord a new canticle: let his praise be in the church of the saints. [Psalm 149:1]

Proverbs

I have almost been in all evil, in the midst of the church and of the congregation. [Prov. 5:14]

– In here the Jewsih Tanakh clarifies for us that "the church and of the congregation" means "an assembly of the faithful".

Ecclesiasticus

The sons of wisdom are the church of the just: and their generation, obedience and love. [Ecclus. 3:1]

And in the midst of the church she shall open his mouth, and shall fill him with the spirit of wisdom and understanding, and shall clothe him with a robe of glory. [Ecclus. 15:5]

The mouth of the prudent is sought after in the church, and they will think upon his words in their hearts. [Ecclus. 21:20]

Therefore are his goods established in the Lord, and all the church of the saints shall declare his alms. [Ecclus. 31:11]

Hear me, ye great men, and all ye people, and hearken with your ears, ye rulers of the church. [Ecclus. 33:19]
– In This verse of the Old Testament a clear difference is made from the gathering of the faithful - the church - and its rulers - what we call Administrators.

Nations shall declare his wisdom, and the church shall shew forth his praise. [Ecclus. 39:14

Let the people shew forth their wisdom, and the church declare their praise. [Ecclus. 44:15]

Lamentations

Jod. The enemy hath put out his hand to all her desirable things: for she hath seen the Gentiles enter into her sanctuary, of whom thou gavest commandment that they should not enter into thy church. [Lam. 1:10]
– In this case "thy church" means community and not institution as clearly defined by the Jewish Tanakh

Joel

Gather together the people, sanctify the church, assemble the ancients, gather together the little ones, and them that suck at the breasts: let the bridegroom go forth from his bed, and the bride out of her bride chamber. [Joel 2:16]

1 Machabees

And Judas, and his brethren, and all the church of Israel decreed, that the day of the dedication of the altar should be kept in its season from year to year for eight days, from the five and twentieth day of the month of Casleu, with joy and gladness. [1 Macc. 4:59]

From the New Testament

Matthew

And I say to thee: That thou art Peter; and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. [Mt. 16:18]

And if he will not hear them: tell the church. And if he will not hear the church, let him be to thee as the heathen and publican. [Mt. 18:17]

Acts Of Apostles

And there came great fear upon the whole church, and upon all that heard these things. [Acts 5:11]

This is he that was in the church in the wilderness, with the angel who spoke to him on mount Sina, and with our fathers; who received the words of life to give unto us. [Acts 7:38]

And at that time there was raised a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all dispersed through the countries of Judea, and Samaria, except the apostles. [Acts 8:1]

But Saul made havock of the church, entering in from house to house, and dragging away men and women, committed them to prison. [Acts 8:3]

Now the church had peace throughout all Judea, and Galilee, and Samaria; and was edified, walking in the fear of the Lord, and was filled with the consolation of the Holy Ghost. [Acts 9:31]

And the tidings came to the ears of the church that was at Jerusalem, touching these things: and they sent Barnabas as far as Antioch. [Acts 11:22]

And they conversed there in the church a whole year; and they taught a great multitude, so that at Antioch the disciples were first named Christians. [Acts 11:26]
– "conversed here in the church" means interacted with the local faithful.

And at the same time, Herod the king stretched forth his hands, to afflict some of the church. [Acts 12:1]

Peter therefore was kept in prison. But prayer was made without ceasing by the church unto God for him. [Acts 12:5]

Now there were in the church which was at Antioch, prophets and doctors, among whom was Barnabas, and Simon who was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manahen, who was the foster brother of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. [Acts 13:1]

And when they had ordained to them priests in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, in whom they believed. [Acts 14:22]

And when they were come, and had assembled the church, they related what great things God had done with them, and how he had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles. [Acts 14:26]

They therefore being brought on their way by the church, passed through Phenice, and Samaria, relating the conversion of the Gentiles; and they caused great joy to all the brethren. [Acts 15:3]
– "brought on their way by the church" means "sent on their way by the local faithful".

And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received by the church, and by the apostles and ancients, declaring how great things God had done with them. [Acts 15:4]

Then it pleased the apostles and ancients, with the whole church, to choose men of their own company, and to send to Antioch, with Paul and Barnabas, namely, Judas, who was surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren. [Acts 15:22]
– Here we see the clear distinction between the Administration (apostles and ancients) and the faithful (the whole church).

And going down to Caesarea, he went up to Jerusalem, and saluted the church, and so came down to Antioch. [Acts 18:22]

And sending from Miletus to Ephesus, he called the ancients of the church. [Acts 20:17]

Take heed to yourselves, and to the whole flock, wherein the Holy Ghost hath placed you bishops, to rule the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. [Acts 20:28]
– Again we see the clear distinction between the Administration (bishops) and the faithful (the church of God).

Romans

And I commend to you Phebe, our sister, who is in the ministry of the church, that is in Cenchrae: [Rom. 16:1]

And the church which is in their house. Salute Epenetus, my beloved: who is the firstfruits of Asia in Christ. [Rom. 16:5]

Caius, my host, and the whole church, saluteth you. Erastus, the treasurer of the city, saluteth you, and Quartus, a brother. [Rom. 16:23]

1 Corinthians

To the church of God that is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that invoke the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, in every place of theirs and ours. [1 Cor. 1:2]

For this cause have I sent to you Timothy, who is my dearest son and faithful in the Lord; who will put you in mind of my ways, which are in Christ Jesus; as I teach everywhere in every church. [1 Cor. 4:17]

If therefore you have judgments of things pertaining to this world, set them to judge, who are the most despised in the church. [1 Cor. 6:4]

Be without offence to the Jews, and to the Gentiles, and to the church of God: [1 Cor. 10:32]
– Here the "church of God" means the faithful of that particular location.

But if any man seem to be contentious, we have no such custom, nor the church of God. [1 Cor. 11:16]
– The correct translation is "...nor the churches of God" - plural, not singular.

For first of all I hear that when you come together in the church, there are schisms among you; and in part I believe it. [1 Cor. 11:18]
– "...come together in the church," means "a gathering of the faithful".

What, have you not houses to eat and to drink in? Or despise ye the church of God; and put them to shame that have not? What shall I say to you? Do I praise you? In this I praise you not. [1 Cor. 11:22]

And God indeed hath set some in the church; first apostles, secondly prophets, thirdly doctors; after that miracles; then the graces of healing, helps, governments, kinds of tongues, interpretations of speeches. [1 Cor. 12:28]

He that speaketh in a tongue, edifieth himself: but he that prophesieth, edifieth the church. [1 Cor. 14:4]

And I would have you all to speak with tongues, but rather to prophesy. For greater is he that prophesieth, than he that speaketh with tongues: unless perhaps he interpret, that the church may receive edification. [1 Cor. 14:5]

So you also, forasmuch as you are zealous of spirits, seek to abound unto the edifying of the church. [1 Cor. 14:12]

But in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that I may instruct others also; than ten thousand words in a tongue. [1 Cor. 14:19]

If therefore the whole church come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in unlearned persons or infidels, will they not say that you are mad? [1 Cor. 14:23]

But if there be no interpreter, let him hold his peace in the church, and speak to himself and to God. [1 Cor. 14:28]
– "...hold his peace in the church," refers to "...hold his peace when gathered with the rest of the faithful..."

But if they would learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home. For it is a shame for a woman to speak in the church. [1 Cor. 14:35]

For I am the least of the apostles, who am not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. [1 Cor. 15:9]

The churches of Asia salute you. Aquila and Priscilla salute you much in the Lord, with the church that is in their house, with whom I also lodge. [1 Cor. 16:19]

2 Corinthians

Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother: to the church of God that is at Corinth, with all the saints that are in all Achaia: [2 Cor. 1:1]

Galatians

For you have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews' religion: how that, beyond measure, I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it. [Gal. 1:13]

Ephesians

And he hath subjected all things under his feet, and hath made him head over all the church, which is his body, and the fulness of him who is filled all in all. [Eph. 1:22-23]
– A crystal clear statement that Jesus Christ is the Head of all of the faithful (the church) which constitutes His Body.

That the manifold wisdom of God may be made known to the principalities and powers in heavenly places through the church, [Eph. 3:10]

To him be glory in the church, and in Christ Jesus unto all generations, world without end. Amen. [Eph. 3:21]

Because the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ is the head of the church. He is the saviour of his body. [Eph. 5:23]

Therefore as the church is subject to Christ, so also let the wives be to their husbands in all things. [Eph. 5:24]

Husbands, love your wives, as Christ also loved the church, and delivered himself up for it: [Eph. 5:25]
– "...loved the church" means "...loved the faithful" present and future.

That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy, and without blemish. [Eph. 5:27]

For no man ever hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, as also Christ doth the church: [Eph. 5:29]

This is a great sacrament; but I speak in Christ and in the church. [Eph. 5:32]

Philippians

According to zeal, persecuting the church of God; according to the justice that is in the law, conversing without blame. [Phil. 3:6]

And you also know, O Philippians, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but you only: [Phil. 4:15]

Colossians

And he is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he may hold the primacy: [Col. 1:18]

Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up those things that are wanting of the sufferings of Christ, in my flesh, for his body, which is the church: [Col. 1:24]

Salute the brethren who are at Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the church that is in his house. [Col. 4:15]

And when this epistle shall have been read with you, cause that it be read also in the church of the Laodiceans: and that you read that which is of the Laodiceans. [Col. 4:16]

1 Thessalonians

Paul and Sylvanus and Timothy: to the church of the Thessalonians, in God the Father, and in the Lord Jesus Christ. [1 Thess. 1:1]

2 Thessalonians

Paul, and Sylvanus, and Timothy, to the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. [2 Thess. 1:1]

1 Timothy

But if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God? [1 Tim. 3:5]
– "...take care of the church of God" refers to "the faithful under his particular care"

But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth. [1 Tim. 3:15]
– "...behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God" means "...behave thyself when the faithful of the living God are gathered (in prayer, etc.)"

If any of the faithful have widows, let him minister to them, and let not the church be charged: that there may be sufficient for them that are widows indeed. [1 Tim. 5:16]
– "...and let not the church be charged" refers to that particular congregation of the faithful.

Philemon

And to Appia, our dearest sister, and to Archippus, our fellow soldier, and to the church which is in thy house: [Phm. 1:2]
– "...the church which is in thy house" refers to the group of faithful who regularly gather "in thy house"

Hebrews

I will declare thy name to my brethren; in the midst of the church will I praise thee. [Heb. 2:12]

And to the church of the firstborn, who are written in the heavens, and to God the judge of all, and to the spirits of the just made perfect, [Heb. 12:23]

James

Is any man sick among you? Let him bring in the priests of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. [James 5:14]

1 Peter

The church that is in Babylon, elected together with you, saluteth you: and so doth my son Mark. [1 Pet. 5:13]

3 John

Who have given testimony to thy charity in the sight of the church: whom thou shalt do well to bring forward on their way in a manner worthy of God. [3 Jn. 1:6]

I had written perhaps to the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the pre-eminence among them, doth not receive us. [3 Jn. 1:9]

For this cause, if I come, I will advertise his works which he doth, with malicious words prating against us. And as if these things were not enough for him, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and them that do receive them he forbiddeth, and casteth out of the church. [3 Jn. 1:10]

Apocalypse (Revelation)

Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write: These things saith he, who holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks: [Rev. 2:1]

And to the angel of the church of Smyrna write: These things saith the First and the Last, who was dead, and is alive: [Rev. 2:8]

And to the angel of the church of Pergamus write: These things, saith he, that hath the sharp two edged sword: [Rev. 2:12]

And to the angel of the church of Thyatira write: These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like to a flame of fire, and his feet like to fine brass. [Rev. 2:18]

And to the angel of the church of Sardis, write: These things saith he, that hath the seven spirits of God, and the seven stars: I know thy works, that thou hast the name of being alive: and thou art dead. [Rev. 3:1]

And to the angel of the church of Philadelphia, write: These things saith the Holy One and the true one, he that hath the key of David; he that openeth, and no man shutteth; shutteth, and no man openeth: [Rev. 3:7]

And to the angel of the church of Laodicea, write: These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, who is the beginning of the creation of God: [Rev. 3:14]

CONCLUSION

It does not matter what the Vatican may claim with the intent of manipulate the masses – They are not the Church. The Church, the Mystical Body of Christ, is composed by the souls who strive to do the Will of God.

And, the only spiritual Mother that we have is Mary, period!

When Jesus said that the "gates of hell shall not prevail against" His church (7) He meant that the gates of hell shall not prevail against those who strive to do the Will of the Father – those composing the Mystical Body of Christ: He was NOT referring to any Christian faith institution, whether Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, a variety of Protestant churches, etc.

NOTES

(1) Pain is the megaphone that God uses for the deaf to hear Him

(2) The Manifestation of the False Christ

(2) The Timing of Jesus' Last Passover Meal

(3) There IS Salvation outside the Roman Catholic Church

(4) The Catholic Faith is the most complete of all faiths available to man

(5) Douay-Rheims Bible

(6) The Gates of Hell shall not prevail