1. The church is the redeemed, sanctified people of God, spiritually called the body of Christ. Ephesians 1:22-23; 2:13-17; 3:1-7; Colossians 1:18; 1 Corinthians 12:12-14, 27.

2. The Lord adds all of the saved people to this “one body,” which is the one church. Acts 2:47; Ephesians 4:4-6.

3. This is the one church, or the one body of the saved, that Jesus promised to “build” upon the one foundation (Himself). Matthew 16:18; Ephesians 2:19-22; 1 Corinthians 3:11.

4. Jesus is the Savior of this spiritual body of the redeemed that He will present to Himself at His second coming. Ephesians 5:23-27; 2 Corinthians 11:1-2; Revelation 19:7-9.

5. The word “church” is also used in the Bible to refer to a local fellowship, or assembly of believers, in a specific location. Acts 11:26; 13:1; 14:23; 1 Corinthians 1:1-3; Galatians 1:1-5; 1 Thessalonians 1:1.

6. The local church is to organize itself according to the pattern revealed in the Bible. Acts 14:23; 20:17, 28; Philippines 1:1-2; 1 Peter 5:1-4; 1 Timothy 3:1-13.

7. The local church is to engage in scriptural worship, maintain purity of doctrine and practice, uphold a high standard of morality in the life of its members, seek to edify (build up spiritually) its membership, support the preaching of the gospel of Christ, and engage in good works as set forth in the Bible. John 4:23-24; Matthew 5:13-16; Ephesians 2:8-10; 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10; Titus 3:8, 14; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 John 9-11.


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