What Does The Word “Church” Really Mean?

In today’s culture, the word “church” does not have a positive connotation for many people. Rather than it bringing to mind a vibrant group of people, unified in their beliefs and striving to be like the Lord Jesus Christ whom they love and follow, most people think of a building for public worship.

One problem is that most Christians do not distinguish between the different “churches/assemblies” set forth in Scripture. For example, Matthew 16:18 (“I will build my CHURCH”) and Revelation 1:4 (“John, to the seven CHURCHES which are in Asia”) do NOT refer to that body of believers that came into existence in Acts 2 on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:47 = ”the Lord added to the CHURCH daily.”)