General – Ohanachurch.life

Early Church Doctrine

October 11, 2021/0 Comments/in General/by admin

On a lovely Saturday morning in the Early Church you would find the disciples of Jesus headed to the local Jewish Synagogue for worship, fellowship, reading of the Old Testament Prophets and to talk story on the one and only day off in the 6 day work week. And during the time of fellowship the Christians would be sharing their experiences about their new faith with excitement and loving power. And that was due to the example that Jesus set while here. He had told HIS disciples that the things that HE did and they would do even greater things as HE went to be with HIS Father. And the people would listen and those interested would be invited to a Sat. sunset house church gathering at someones home. Food would be brought and shared and prepared by those who were anointed to do so. And while the food was being made ready testimonies concerning Jesus would be given and the elders would share the Word of God. Mostly as Jesus taught and can be found in the Old Testament. So the scriptures like in Psalms 22 and Isaiah 52:13-53-11 & 61:1-3. Would lead into teachings on repentance, salvation, restoration, sanctification and victory in Kingdom living. There was not much paper available in those days so folks had exceptional memories. This was a time of transition for the Church to be born upon the resurrection of Christ Jesus and empowered and guided by the Holy Spirit who came at Pentecost to build the Church.

So when the house-church gathering would come together they had a few tabernacle markers but mostly just tried to follow the Holy Spirit. Those 7 markers are listed in Acts 2;41-43 but were not laws. 1. Salvation and the testimony of Jesus, 2. Sound Doctrine, 3. Fellowship (Agape meal together.) 4. The Lord’s Supper, 5. Prayers, 6. A Holy Reverence and “Body Life Ministry” and 7. The leaders ministered to the remaining needs of the people, Acts 5:16, in the power of the Holy Spirit…. Acts 2:47, “And the Lord added to the church daily such as were being saved. and healed. By 1 Cor. 14:26-33 they had come a long way is moving into God’s Love, Holiness and Power in freedom. If interested in more about the 7 markers of an effective Early Church: https://trinity-aloha.org/keys-to-the-kingdom/house-church/

But notice that church was the people in an interactive forum conversation with the Holy Spirit. A forum is when seated or standing in a circle and all are welcome to voice their thought in freedom. A round table if you will. If something is said that is not true then it is up to the leaders and anyone to seek to bring the fellowship back into the Spirit of God. 1 Cor.14:29. So there was always a quick loving 1 Cor. 6, judgment to openly rebuke, reprove and exhort with all long suffering and doctrine when needed. Lies were not allowed to go unanswered: 2 Pet.2:1, Titus 1:9, Col. 2:22, Rom. 16:17

So some Good Traditions of God to help us judge are as follows.

Is the Bible, in context, used for the authority and doctrine that the ministry supports..
Does the ministry only lift up Jesus in Love, Holiness and Power.
Does the ministry have the confirmation of the Power of the Holy Spirit? 2 Tim.3:5
God’s Truth, sets us free to walk in the Holy Spirit, is their freedom to go and grow?
Do the leaders work towards universal church unity or support of their own ministry or building needs? John 17.
Do disciples always have the opportunity to speak, engage and grow with all the other folks who are there.
Are offerings and giving a matter of a personal decision in the Holy Spirit or is there manipulations or law applied.
Do the elders and leaders have the freedom to be totally transparent and be loved anyway?

And the list goes on and on concerning vain (prideful) tradition that make the church ineffective. Please go through your New Testament and add to the list. You will find that our vain traditions have really made the Word of God, (Powerless.)

The real issue concerning the Lord’s Church is that the Holy Spirit is not in control of the Church and vain (Prideful) traditions that make some look good only sucks the life out of the Lord’s Church and have replaced the Holy Spirit. It is not about the form, as Jesus was not into a form or liturgy at all. The Church was to be free and guided by the Holy Spirit. We are not guided by the Holy Spirit to use all 7 steps all the time. We have 5 different offices listed in Eph.4:11 and their ministry are substantially different and would require Holy Spirit to have the freedom to guide and support to be effective. All was to be all guided by the Holy Spirit as per the need at the time. One time might be evangelism, another might be teaching basics. But if you freeze all into a form of worship and turn the church into a 1 or 2 hr. theater then the Holy Spirit is still outside with Jesus, knocking to get in as in Rev. 3:20, the prophetic church we are now living in is mostly in rebellion to the clear teaching of our LORD, Christ Jesus..

The New Testament records location names so as to write to them and receive from them but they were not financially separate denominations with special doctrines that restricted the flow of disciples in one direction or another. Our position today should be to honor the prayer of Christ Jesus in John 17 with all who will submit to HIS teachings. And I am working on that for myself as well. There should be no walls in Jesus to keep anyone in or out if they want to learn to walk with the LORD or not. God always honors freewill as only with freewill is love really valid. It is not about names, buildings or denominations but about the hope and the quest to get and keep close to Jesus and do what the Holy Spirit wants us to do and teach others to do the same. God has called us to peace, love, humility & obedience and eventually to become His family and to be like HIM. What good father does not want HIS kids to grow up and become like HIM.

We should not be concerned about family names or denominations but only the need to come into the unity of the faith and the bond of peace through the Holy Spirit. I have never suggested the a building be torn down but that it be used to lift up Jesus. But buildings are not a good investment and do divert funds from evangelism and the poor that are much needed. And it is not up to me to the last word concerning traditions, the New Testament does that very well if you are interested. It is Jesus who was down on vain (Prideful) traditions and HE made a good list. The problem is that not many study what Jesus said to do, They tend to spend energy, gifts and offerings on what makes them look good and for the sake of being worldly comfortable and looking successful, Rev.3:14-22. Personally I see no need to build anything physically as there is plenty of unused space already available for the needs of the Church of Jesus. But when we will ever learn to become really become obedient to our LORD’S prayer in John 17 and work together in HIS great Love.

CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE 101

September 30, 2021/0 Comments/in General/by admin

The Early church had a very wise saying:
“In Essentials, UNITY…. In all else, LOVE”

Genesis: The Prophets of God have given us the understanding from our Creator that HE lives in a totally different dimension than the small temporary time capsule that we find ourselves living in today. We learn that our Creator God had no beginning of life nor end and that HIS dimension is without limits or time. And further that HE has a vision and plan in operation to create a family, Man to be changed into HIS Image and Likeness in order to eventually have an eternal family of righteousness and power. Adam was the fist to have that potential opportunity and was created as the 1st of his kind with a freewill in a temporary time dimension on earth in Eden. We are told by the prophet Moses that Adam made the choice to allow lucifer to guide him rather than our Creator and lost the spiritual life and authority that he had been given. The Holy Bible is a collection of 66 prophetical notes preserved to help us know how our Creator God has set in motion a plan of redemption for those who are interested. The soul of Adam was created eternal but the body became temporary due to Adam’s pride, rebellion and sin. And as the children of Adam we all have an eternal soul but it is up to our Creator to replace our temporary body or not. This is based upon our life choices and how we respond to HIS offered salvation requiring faith, love, humility & obedience. Our Creator is not going to allow the corruption of man loose in HIS universe.

Here are some of the basics of the Christian faith, which are essential for salvation and upon which all Christians must agree.

The Resurrection Deity of Christ Jesus as King of Kings and Lord of Lords, The Word of God, made flesh. (John 1:1, John 20:28, Heb. 1:8 9), the Creator God Himself (Col. 1:16. Compare Gen. 1:1). Who “laid the foundation of the earth” (Heb. 1:10 12. Compare Psalms 102:24 27). (Jesus was the very first to make it through in becoming in the Image and Likeness of God as per the original vision and mission of creation.)

The Virgin Birth (Isaiah 7:14, Mt. 1:23, Luke 1:27). (Needed to bypass the contamination’s of sin in the children of Adam.)

The Blood Atonement (Acts 20:28, Rom. 3:25, Rom. 5:9, Eph. 1:7). (To impress on man the impact and damage of pride and rebellion or sin as we call it.)

The Bodily Resurrection (Luke 24:36 46, 1 Cor. 15:1 4, 1 Cor. 15:14 15). (To provide the proof that confirms man’s option for redemption. In Adam all died, In Jesus shall all be made alive.

The Second Advent of Christ Jesus to set up His Kingdom on Earth and in Eternity (Isa. 9:6,7, Rev.19.)

The inerrancy of the Holy Scriptures themselves (Psalms 12:6 7, Rom. 15:4, 2Tim. 3:16 17, 2Pet. 1:20). This is a reference to people who claim to have revelations apart from the Holy Scriptures and which can not be supported by Holy Scripture. (That earth time is temporary and one day will be no more. That only what our Creator God has spoken will be the Real Truth to be unchanged for eternity.

So among ourselves, we may vigorously debate other items, such as the merits or means of baptism, the validity of various Bible translations, the authority of the Presbytery, etc. Such quests for truth in love are totally acceptable within the confines of Christianity because our salvation does not rest upon those doctrines.

The Following Positions of doctrines may be helpful and also considered of importance.
Our Creator God is manifested in a Trinity of, God the Father, God the Word and God the Holy Spirit similar to water as liquid, solid and vapor. This essence of God’s nature is found in 1 Jn.5:7. Love, Holiness, and Power may be seen in these three manifestations of God as in the Evangelical, Sacramental and Charismatic expressions of faith. But without the balance of each other they tend to become indulgent, sanctimonious and perhaps even a carnival. For more on God’s authority and nature: www.Trinity-Aloha.org Go-to: “Keys To The Kingdom”

FREEWILL:
The Word of God became flesh and was born of a virgin. Under God’s judgment of sin, Jesus died in our place and was raised from the dead by the power of God for our justification and He shall come again as Jesus the Christ, King of Kings and Lord of Lords and His reign shall be forever, Isa.9:6. Disciples may also be filled with the Holy Spirit and learn to enjoy the fruit, gifts, and ministries of the Holy Spirit if they want to. The Holy Spirit can give the power to live a holy life and to minister the Kingdom of God on earth as it is in heaven to those who truly want to walk in faith and love and make Jesus Christ the King of Kings in their lives. Roman chapters 8-12 are supported here. Events are closing for the final judgment in the history of mankind. Those who have decided to yield to Jesus as Lord will become His brethren in the eternal family of God. Those who have decided to reject the Lordship and forgiveness offered through Jesus Christ and have lived egocentric lives will be separated from God’s presence, creation and light and exiled into isolation and outer darkness for eternity. God will not force anyone to come under the authority of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ. Free will is most precious of all God’s creations as it allows us to learn to Love. Without freewill Love does not exist. Our choice in time is to learn to want to live with Him in light and righteousness. To reject His right to be God and King in our lives is to be removed from His presence and His creation. Jude 11-25.

An expanded confession of faith:
I confess that Jesus Christ is my Lord, Master, and Savior. By faith in Christ Jesus, I am forgiven, cleansed, healed and made a citizen of His eternal kingdom. Jesus Christ has redeemed me from the curse of the law of sin, sickness, weakness and eternal death through His death on the cross for me. I believe in the Trinity of one God: Almighty Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. I believe that Jesus Christ is the Creator, Word of God made flesh, The Word of God who was begotten as the second Adam. He was born of a virgin, died for my sins, rose for my justification and is coming again soon, in great glory, to establish His Kingdom on earth. I believe in the new birth from above, the baptism in water, and the baptism in the Holy Spirit. I confess that the blood of Jesus Christ has cleansed me from all my sin and I am now made the righteousness of God in and through Christ Jesus. I confess that I can do all things through Christ who is my strength as I abide in Him. I confess that this world is not my home. I confess that I am a pilgrim in a foreign land and I look for that certain return of my Lord Jesus Christ and His Kingdom. I confess that there is but one holy universal and apostolic Church of Jesus Christ and all those who are born from above are brethren and citizens of His kingdom. I believe that the Church of Jesus Christ is being perfected by the Holy Spirit through the Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors, Teachers and other ministries of His Church until all the faithful come into the unity of the faith and the bond of peace and are changed into the image and likeness of Jesus Christ, ( Eph. 4:11 – 16 ).

Ken Smith<>< 9/28/21

Mission, OhanaChurch.Life

September 27, 2021/0 Comments/in General/by admin

Simple the Mission of Trinity Fellowship International and OhanaChurch.Life is to help restore the Aloha of the Church of Hawaii, est. 1823, as confirmed by the 1840 Constitution of the Kingdom of Hawaii. And to confirm the Love, Holiness and Power needed to set the captives free as per the Mission Statement of Jesus Christ.

Luke 4:18-21,

“The Spirit of the Lord [is] upon Me, because He has anointed Me [the Anointed One, the Messiah] to preach the good news (the Gospel) to the poor; He has sent Me to announce release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to send forth as delivered those who are oppressed [who are downtrodden, bruised, crushed, and broken down by calamity], To proclaim the accepted and acceptable year of the Lord [the day [a]when salvation and the free favors of God profusely abound]. Then He rolled up the book and gave it back to the attendant and sat down; and the eyes of all in the synagogue were gazing [attentively] at Him. And He began to speak to them: Today this Scripture has been fulfilled while you are present and hearing. (Isa.61:1-2)

That the True Church of Jesus Christ will look, smell, taste and have the power of Jesus, John 17:20-24, 1 John 5:17, 2 Tim.3:5 and this is the continual heart beat of the whole New Testament. So having a part of Jesus is better than nothing, but having all of Jesus in love, holiness and power is where the joy of the LORD is found. Our mission is to help spread the Ho’oponoopono of the LORD throughout the Kingdom of Hawai’i, God willing and the lava does not flow.

It has been said, ” it is not right for “haoles” to seek to impose our Hellenist western ideals or traditions on a sovereign indigenous people.” and this is exactly what I am concerned about. “High Church Ethos” “Low Church HRCC/CoH” have all prevented the freedom in Power of the Holy Spirit from moving in Hawai’i. There is but ONE Church of Christ Jesus as LORD with Elders sensitive and obedient to the Holy Spirit so that the Holy Spirit is the Authority of the church for Christ Jesus and not the divisions and their confusion. Elders need to be found as confirmed by the Holy Spirit that they follow God’s Truth. As Elders are found for an 1823, 1840 Church of Hawaii’, what I have to help Hawai’i will belong to them. I am 89 now and have no interest in authority. The Holy Spirit’s special mission was/is to create the Church of Christ Jesus at Pentecost that is just like Jesus and HE will depart with that Church in the Rapture when completed. Hawai’i may be a special part of that world vision if the Kingdom of Christ Jesus is restored here. The Holy Spirit was active with Henry Obookiah in writing his memoirs, which all should read. https://evols.library.manoa.hawaii.edu/bitstream/10524/579/JL38041.pdf

The Church of Christ Jesus was started in Hawai’i by the Holy Spirit in 1823 with the 1st Queen and her son and confirmed by the Kingdom of Hawai’i Constitution in 1840 and needs to simple be based upon the New Testament as per the Constitution. There are no Archbishops nor Canons needed. Just a good knowledge of the New Testament in context by the people of Hawai’i. It would be a nice flow if HRCC/CoH could flow into this concept. Both the Anglican and Congregational systems were helpful but were/are powerless as being incomplete and in fact, somewhat obstructive in their respective positions of authority, doctrine and pride. Seems to me that this Mission must begin as a new beginning in going directly to the Holy Scriptures for directions for each turn in the road. Not in contention but in a loving holy desire to hear the Holy Spirit and be directed by HIM alone into God’s Holy Truth that HE can be confirmed with “Great and Mighty signs.” John 17:20-24, Acts 2:43, Acts 6:8, Acts 8:13, 2 Corinthians 12:12

Ho’oponopono “cause things to move back in balance or to make things right.” is a much closer way to gather for a New Testament “house Church” as per scripture rather than the theater now in use in Hawaiian Churches. The Early Church would gather for evangelism on Sabbath mornings and meet in private home at sunset for a shared Agape Meal and Teaching and Prayer with signs following as the Word of God was taught and confirmed by the Holy Spirit. What we have mostly today is man’s tradition with little or no conformation of GOD’S Power.

So what are our directions in this mission?

First always is humility and obedience out of loving faith to learn the Word of God in context and in truth.
Second, Jesus taught a bunch of fishermen how to become messengers for HIS Kingdom for many years.
Upon HIS resurrection Jesus wove a basket of believers in which to catch the fruit to be harvested.
Jesus sent HIS messengers into the world to help folks lean how to become the Children of God with power.

Vision for the Kingdom of Hawai’i

September 27, 2021/0 Comments/in General/by admin

Lord’s Prayer:
Pray, therefore, like this: Our Father Who is in heaven, hallowed (kept holy) be Your name. Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven ([a] left, remitted, and let go of the debts, and have [b]given up resentment against) our debtors. And lead (bring) us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory for ever. Amplified Bible, Classic Edition: Matt. 6:9-13

So Jesus is teaching HIS disciples and us (John 17:20-24) that our Heavenly Father has in HIS heart to help us want to be like HIM (who is King of Kings and LORD of Lords.) That means that our Creator GOD, our Heavenly Father wants to help the Kingdom of Hawai’i become HIS, Kingdom on Earth, for HIM in Righteousness. That is if we will allow for and help it to happen. The groundwork has all been set in place for this to happen by those who came before us.

But your freewill is very important to our Creator as it makes us able to LOVE HIM, Ourselves and to love each other in true ALOHA. Therefore, HE will do nothing to manipulate our freewill. He can and will help us to learn to do what is righteous. But if we elect to walk in darkness HE will not stop us and there will be only the reaping of the darkness.
So our Collective vision for Hawaii and for the restoration of a Righteous Kingdom of Hawaii and for ourselves should be nothing less than the Vision of Christ Jesus and the Queen, King and leaders of Hawai’i in 1823 and as set forth & ratified in the 1840 Hawaiian Constitution. (See Hawaiian Kingdom 101 )

The Early Church was empowered mightily by the Holy Spirit so that in Acts 5:16 so that all who came to the gathering in Jerusalem were saved or healed or set free. Personally, I feel this is still the will of our Creator if we will elect to grow up in the Word of God and not follow the tradition of men. In Luke 4:18-21, Christ Jesus confirmed that this was HIS mission as also confirmed in Matt.28:19-20, John 14:12 and 17:20-24 and that HIS power has been given to HIS CHURCH. We don’t see it as we have been following the tradition of men rather than the Truth of God as Jesus taught : Matt. 15:6-10. ” So for the sake of your tradition (the rules handed down by your forefathers), you have set aside the Word of God [depriving it of force and authority and making it of no effect].You pretenders (hypocrites)! Admirably and truly did Isaiah prophesy of you when he said: These people draw near Me with their mouths and honor Me with their lips, but their hearts hold off and are far away from Me.Uselessly do they worship Me, for they teach as doctrines the commands of men.” (for more on this: www.Trinity-Aloha.org and goto: “Keys To The Kingdom”)

Keys To The Kingdom

So in this Vision for the Righteous Restoration of the Kingdom of Hawai’i it is to have not only Aloha but Holiness and Power. We must return to the meaning of the Words of God as taught by Jesus and HIS Apostles in our New Testament. The New Testament is the will of Christ Jesus for HIS CHURCH. It tells us of our rights, powers and eternal inheritance in and through HIM. He alone, must be lifted up if we are to draw all men unto HIM.

Eph.4:11-16.
“And His gifts were [varied; He Himself appointed and gave men to us] some to be apostles (special messengers), some prophets (inspired preachers and expounders), some evangelists (preachers of the Gospel, traveling missionaries), some pastors (shepherds of His flock) and teachers. His intention was the perfecting and the full equipping of the saints (His consecrated people), [that they should do] the work of ministering toward building up Christ’s body (the church), [That it might develop] until we all attain oneness in the faith and in the comprehension of the [[a] full and accurate] knowledge of the Son of God, that [we might arrive] at really mature manhood (the completeness of personality which is nothing less than the standard height of Christ’s own perfection), the measure of the stature of the fullness of the Christ and the completeness found in Him. So then, we may no longer be children, tossed [like ships] to and fro between chance gusts of teaching and wavering with every changing wind of doctrine, [the prey of] the cunning and cleverness of [b] unscrupulous men, [gamblers engaged] in every shifting form of trickery in inventing errors to mislead. Rather, let our lives lovingly [c]express truth [in all things, speaking truly, dealing truly, living truly]. Enfolded in love, let us grow up in every way and in all things into Him Who is the Head, [even] Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One).For because of Him the whole body (the church, in all its various parts), closely joined and firmly knit together by the joints and ligaments with which it is supplied, when each part [with power adapted to its need] is working properly [in all its functions], grows to full maturity, building itself up in love.”

MaunaKea, 30 meter Protests?

September 27, 2021/0 Comments/in General/by admin

Nice overview of why the Thirty Meter Telescope protests. Google 8/5/19.

But Really?

In 1819 The Kapu system and the old gods of Hawai’i were destroyed. It ended in a gun battle at the South end of Alii Drive, Kona, know as the “End Of The World.” 300 died in that battle. Every one should visit the Historical Site and read the marker signs. That battle ended early in 1820 with the heiaus being burned with the idols and stone altars, destroyed. The Christian Missionaries landed in Kona about a month later on March, 30,1820. The timing was God perfect. We must make room for the God of Creation if we want to know HIM, we have freewill. Https://www.outdoorproject.com/united-states/hawaii/end-world-kuamoo-battlefield-lekeleke-burial-grounds

So with due respect for the burial sites up on MaunaKea, what gods are being defended up there? If the Hawaiian Kings and Queens and People renounced the old gods in 1819 prior to the arrival of the Christian Missionaries, why then are they being resurrected today? And why would anyone ever need to defend any real god anyway?

Hawaiian History 101

Kingdom of Hawaii

September 27, 2021/0 Comments/in General/by admin

Having lived in Hawai’i for over half a century from 1971. And having been invited by Hawaiians to come to Hawai’i as a Christian Minister and Missionary. And as Hawai’i is my only home and family. And as being ordained a Kahu at the oldest church in Hawai’i I would like to share concerning the Kingdom of Hawaii.

The original quote of Queen Ka’ahumanu in 1823, on her death bed,was: “The Life of the Land is Perpetuated by the Righteousness of Jesus Christ.” This was and is the beginning of the ministry of the Holy Spirit to gather the Church of Jesus Christ in Hawai’i. The Kings and Queens of Hawaii had taken the people of Hawai’i into the concepts and thoughts of Christ Jesus as LORD. The seal of the Kingdom of Hawai’i has 5 Christian Crosses on the crown. One above the King/Queen and one facing north, east, south and west. Until the simple peaceful powerful Gospel of Christ Jesus is restored to the people of Hawaii there will be no peace concerning these issues nor will the Kingdom be restored.

So the gathering for the Kingdom of Hawai’i must be in alignment with the simple teachings of Christ Jesus and not the traditions of men. The gathering of the citizens of this Kingdom of Hawai’i must be color blind and not based upon blood lines. The man selected as King of Hawaii must be a holy man and totally in tune with the teachings of Christ Jesus as HIS LORD. In Romans 13, Kingdoms are created by GOD.

We now have many in Hawai’i claiming to be of the blood line of King Kamehameha, politics always goes into darkness and confusion. The old Kapu system was set aside in 1819 by the Queen, King and people of Hawai’i prior to the arrival of the Christian Missionaries. But those missionaries brought only a small portion of the truth that Jesus sets before us in the New Testament concerning Love, Holiness and Power.

So if you are supportive of the Restoration of the Kingdom of Hawai’i, help select Christian Holy Man who are dedicated to Jesus and love Hawai’i to represent you. Let them come together and come to one mind and one spirit (John 17:20-24) as to what kind of a Christian Kingdom would be best for the people of Hawai’i. Bring this declaration of unity to the people for confirmation. (All who vote should, pay taxes in Hawai’i and only live in Hawai’i for a given number of years should have a say.)

Bring the people together in righteousness to support a valid Kingdom of Authority and then make your case to the world. Hawai’i now has the legal grounds, but as yet, does not have the moral grounds nor GOD’S anointing.

Personally, I am fully supportive of the Kingdom of Hawaii, in Righteousness according to Holy Scripture as per Queen Ka’ahumanu in 1923 and confirmed by the 1840 Hawaiian Constitution.

Kahu Ken Smith <><
( Rt. Rev. Dr. +N. K. Smith, ThD, DD )

e-mail: Ken@Trinity-Aloha.org
www.Trinity-Aloha.org
www.OhanaChurch.Life
www.CCCInt.org

What is the definition of the church?

August 31, 2020/2 Comments/in General/by admin

Although “church” has come to mean a building or organization, the original Greek ekklesia meant “a gathering, assembly” and is the basis for our word “congregation.” And that is what God designed the church to be—a group of people. The definition of a “church” as a separate building specifically for worship would have been foreign to the early believers, as they met in homes. When a building was mentioned in the New Testament, it was always in relation to the church that met there (Romans 16:5; 1 Corinthians 16 :19; Colossians 4:15; Philemon 1:2). The church was the people, not the building. With the legitimization and affluence of Christianity in later years, the “church” came to mean the building where people met. Now, it often is used to mean a particular denomination. But the truest meaning of the word “church” is the group of believers.

Christ is the head of the church, and the church is the body of Christ (Ephesians 1:22-23). The members of the body are all Christians. “For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit. For the body does not consist of one member but of many” (1 Corinthians 12:12-14). The universal church is defined as all who have received the Holy Spirit, no matter their location, denomination, or era. To ensure order and to provide fellowship, the universal church is also divided into local churches.

The universal church is the body of Christ, composed of everyone who has received Christ as their LORD & Savior. It is comprised of every believer from every country and every time from Pentecost (Acts 2) until Christ’s return. Although a specific denomination may teach a more accurate view of God and His Word than another, the universal church recognizes no denominations, just individual believers joined together in one body. No matter the denomination or the size of a local church, the purpose is to do corporately (John 17) what all who name the name of Jesus are to do individually—glorify God in worship, obey and honor Him in all we do, and encourage one another to do the same.

The church is not a building; it is a group of people. It is not a denomination; it is everyone who has received the Holy Spirit. And it doesn’t grant salvation; it is people, loving and glorifying God and teaching others about a saving knowledge of Christ. As believers, we are joined with all Christians from Peter to the smallest child in the body of Christ. The local church is where the members of the universal church can apply 1 Corinthians 12 & 14: encouraging, teaching, and building one another up in the knowledge and grace of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Further Info

Helpful Links