God’s congregation on earth

The word “church” (ekklēsia) comes from the Greek term for an assembly that is called together and in the New Testament describes the community of people God has gathered to Himself in Christ. It is used for the body of believers who belong to Jesus and are called to live as His visible body on earth.

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Scripture presents this shared life as normal Christian life, not an optional extra alongside a private, solitary faith. Believers are called to meet, encourage one another and use their gifts together, while isolation is warned against as spiritually weakening and unwise.