San Jose Church of Christ

 Q: Where does the word "church" come from?

The word "church" comes from the Greek word kuriakon, which means "the Lord's house" and is our English rendering of the Greek word ekklesia meaning, "a summoned meeting of citizens", "those called out", or "assembly". This word is also used in the Septuagint (the Greek translation of the Old Testament) to translate the Hebrew word qahal, which means "a divinity-summoned gathering of the people".

Q: What does the word "church" commonly refer to?

When used presently, "church" can often refer to the building or assembly hall in which Christians meet in, but is usually used in reference to the collective of Christians themselves, or to the assembling of Christians during the week. Christians make up the church, so it is said to exist even when they are not meeting together during the week. From a Christian perspective, it is generally more common to refer to the collective of Christian believers as the church.

Note: "Congregation" is also a term used as a synonym for "church", referring to a local or geographically specific group of Christians.

Also of significance: With a capital "C", "Church" is commonly used in specific reference to the collective of Christians, which is also sometimes called the "Church Universal". With a lowecase "c", "church" more often refers to a local congregation (a.k.a. the "Church Local").

Q: Where do Christians believe the church came from?

Christians believe that the Church was built and established by Jesus Christ. Among other passages, an exerpt from the gospel of Matthew introduces this idea: "Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." Jesus replied, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven. And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it." (Matt 16:16-18, NIV)

Q: What other terms can be used in reference to the church?

There are many terms used in the New Testament that can be used to refer to the church. Here are a few of the more commonly used ones:

The church of God (Acts 20:28, 1 Corinthians 1:2; 10:32; 11:16-22; 15:9, 2 Cor. 1:1, Galatians 1:13).
The church of the living God (1 Timothy 3:15).
The church of the firstborn (Hebrews 12:23).
Church(es) of Christ (Romans 16:16).
God's church (1 Thessalonians 2:14, 2 Thessalonians 1:4, 1 Timothy 3:5).
God's household (1 Timothy 3:15).
God's people (Ephesians 4:12).
Christ's body (1 Cor. 10:16-17; 12:27, Ephesians 4:12; 5:23, 29, Colossians 1:18, 24).
Those "whose names are written in Heaven" (Hebrews 12:23).
Congregations of the saints (1 Corinthians 14:33-34).