1. What is the meaning of the word “church”?

In the Bible, the word “church” is a translation of the Greek ekklesia, which means “a calling out.” Rather than referring to a building or sanctuary, the expression stood for “gathering,” “assembly,” or “congregation.” Consider the various uses of the word ekklesia in the New Testament:JTL23 3.1

• Believers assembled for worship in a specific place (1 Corinthians 11:18)JTL23 3.2

• Believers living in a certain locality (1 Corinthians 16:1)JTL23 3.3

• Believers assembled in the home of an individual (1 Corinthians 16:19)JTL23 3.4

• A group of congregations in each geographic area (Acts 9:31)JTL23 3.5

• The whole body of believers throughout the world (Matthew 16:18)JTL23 3.6

• The whole faithful creation in heaven and on earth (Ephesians 1:20-22)JTL23 3.7

These biblical definitions of “church” are especially encouraging for those who cannot assemble for worship in a building or sanctuary because of a pandemic, persecution, distance, or other extenuating circumstances. In these instances where worship in a dedicated church building is impossible, God nonetheless considers the believers’ worship gathering—whether in a cave, the woods, or a private home—a place where He can dwell among them.JTL23 3.8