Today, there’s a lot of confusion about what the church really is.
Some say the church is a building.
Some call it a house of prayer.
Some church leaders speak as if the church means “the leadership board” — saying things like, “The church has decided…” when they mean the elders or committee.
But if we go back to the Bible, we find something far deeper and more beautiful.
The Biblical Word for Church
In the New Testament, the Greek word for church is ἐκκλησία (ekklesia), meaning “the called-out ones.” It’s not about bricks and mortar — it’s about people.
The early church was made up of believers redeemed by Jesus, called out of the world to live for God’s purposes.
📖 1 Peter 2:9 — “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession…”
When Saul persecuted the early church in Acts 8:3, he didn’t attack buildings. He attacked people.
For example, during Ethiopia’s Dergue regime, many church buildings were locked or heavily restricted. Yet Christians met quietly in homes, praying and worshiping together. The government could close the doors of the building, but it could not close the church — because the church was the people.
The Church Is a Spiritual House
The Bible is very clear that the church is a living temple, made of people in whom God’s Spirit dwells.
📖 1 Peter 2:5 — “You also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood…”
📖 Ephesians 2:21–22 — “In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.”
The church is not built from stone, concrete, or wood — it’s built from redeemed hearts joined together by Christ. An example of this truth is seen in Acts 16, where Paul and Silas were imprisoned, yet at midnight they prayed and sang hymns to God. There were no pews, no pulpit, no stained glass — but the presence of God filled that place, and the jailer’s entire family came to faith. That prison cell became a living church because God’s people were there.
What About the “House of Prayer”?
When Jesus said, “My house shall be called a house of prayer” (Matthew 21:13), He was quoting Isaiah 56:7 and referring to the temple in Jerusalem.
Biblically, “house of prayer” was the temple — a physical place for worship and sacrifice under the Old Covenant. After Jesus’ death and resurrection, God’s dwelling moved from a physical temple to His people (1 Corinthians 3:16).
The New Testament never formally calls the church “a house of prayer.” However, the church continues the function of prayer. The early believers devoted themselves to teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayer (Acts 2:42). That’s why even when there is no official church building — such as during times of persecution in various nations — believers still gather and pray, proving that prayer is a vital ministry of the church, but not its definition.
Why Some Say “The Church” When They Mean Leaders
In some churches, leaders speak as if “the church” is the leadership board or council. You may hear, “The church has decided to…” when in reality, a small group of elders or a committee made that choice.
This creates two problems:
- It confuses authority with identity — the leadership may guide the church, but they are not the whole church.
- It removes the congregation from being seen as the living body of Christ.
📖 1 Corinthians 12:27 — “Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.”
For example, in one African town, church leaders decided to close the youth program and announced, “The church has decided to end it.” A young member asked, “When did we decide together?” That simple question reminded the leaders that the church is not just the boardroom — it is the whole family of believers.
The Clear Truth
The church is not a building — it’s the people.
The church is not just the leaders — it’s the whole body of Christ.
The church is not originally called “house of prayer”, though prayer is one of its main purposes.
The church is God’s dwelling place, made of living stones, joined together in Christ.
📖 Matthew 18:20 — “For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”
If every building burned down tomorrow, the church would still live — because the church is not a place we go, it’s a life we live. It’s the redeemed people of God, carrying His presence wherever they go.