The Origin and Meaning of Church

The church started in the New Testament, it started during the Pentecost in act 2.
The Greek word for church is a ecclesia meaning “to call out from” the world into Christ, The church is called to be saint of God.
The Bible does not recognise denomination when is talking about the church, the church is universal and it’s not one-sided. Only a Small Part of the church is on Earth, greater part has gone to be with the lord. Jesus Christ gave his life and that was what founded the church. Ephesians 5:25 ” as Christ also loved the church and gave himself for it”.
The word church can also be referred to a group of Believers gather together, ” And to our beloved Apphia, and Archippus our fellowsoldier, and to the church in thy house” Philemon 1:2 (KJV)
“Salute the brethren which are in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the church which is in his house”. Colossians 4:15 (KJV),
“For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.” 1 Corinthians 15:9 (KJV).

The Purpose Of The Church

1. Worship God: The first purpose of the church is to worship God and glorify his name “According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love
   1:5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,
   1:6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved” Ephesians 1:4-6 (KJV).
   Every Christian has a duty to worship God because God created the world “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.” Genesis 1:1(KJV), and give man opportunity for salvation.
2. Evangelism/ Soul Winning: Another purpose of the church is for the church to evangelize to the world the Gospel of Christ.
   “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
   20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen”. Matthew 28:19-20 (KJV),
   “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” Mark 16:15,
   “Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ” Ephesians 3: 8(KJV). This is the ministry that God to the church. The Lord give me church the ministry of reconciliation, and this ministry of reconciliation can only be done when the church preach the gospel today we lost souls through evangelism.
3. Learning And Edifying Christians: Another purpose of the church is the gathering of believers to teach and instruct Christians. The teaching of the word of God is vital for the growth and Survival of Man. The psalmist said, “thy word have I hidden in my heart that I may not sin against thee”, so the word help you not to sin.
   And the word also helps you to get knowledge about God.
   “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth”. 2 Timothy 2:15 (KJV).