Ecclesiology: What Is the Church?

Ecclesiology: What Is the Church?

Ecclesiology is the doctrine of the church. The Greek word ἐκκλησία (ekklēsia) literally means assembly or called-out ones. It was used in the ancient world for gatherings of citizens but was adopted by the New Testament to describe the people of God. The church is not a building or an institution but the redeemed community called out by Christ.

Jesus Himself promised, “I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it” (Matthew 16:18, NASB). The church is not man’s invention—it is Christ’s building project. He is its foundation and sustainer.

The picture of the early church in Acts 2:42 (NASB) shows believers “continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” From the beginning, the life of the church revolved around Scripture, community, worship, and prayer.

The mission of the church flows from Christ’s Great Commission: “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to follow all that I commanded you” (Matthew 28:19–20, NASB). The church is called to proclaim the gospel, edify the saints, and bear witness to the world.

The New Testament uses rich imagery to describe the church: the Body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:27, NASB), the Bride of Christ (Ephesians 5:25–27, NASB), and the Temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19, NASB). Each image reinforces that the church is living, relational, and sacred.

Ecclesiology reminds us that belonging to Christ means belonging to His people. The church is both universal—the one body of Christ across the world—and local—visible congregations gathered in His name. It is not optional or peripheral but central to Christian life and discipleship.