Terms for the Church

The word church literally means, ‘the called out’, from the Greek “ekklesia”.
Defined in the Christian sense, an assembly of Christians gathering for worship. (Thayer).

The word ‘church’ – as translated – has two meanings, or is used in two senses.
1). The Universal sense – meaning the institution for which Jesus died and which is composed of all those ‘called out’ of the world into God’s service.
A spiritual relationship.

2). The Local sense – meaning a local congregation composed of the ‘called out’ in any locality who worship faithfully together, lay by in store, work together through this common store as God’s word directs.

(side note): People are 'called' by the gospel of Christ (2 Thessalonians 2:14)
The gospel - good news - is "the power of God unto salvation" (Romans 1:16).

The church you read about in the Bible does not have an official or proper name, but rather has several terms which describe it.

One term for local churches (a group of Christians meeting) is “churches of Christ”, (Romans 16:16). Please note the word church is never capitalized in the Bible. We do not capitalize it as we would a proper name. While we use the term “church of Christ” for a local church, “flock” (Acts 20:28) is another term used to describe a local church, as is “church of God”,
(1 Corinthians 1:2).

Several terms are used to describe the one church which is comprised of all the Christians or disciples (Acts 11:26). The one church of which Christ is the Head is also called the “body” (Colossians 1:18). Christ is the head of the body and it has many members (1 Corinthians 12:12). Not many bodies as some denominations teach, but one head [Christ], over “one body” [His church] (Ephesians 4:4-5).
Scriptural baptism puts one into that one body, (1 Corinthians 12:13). Ephesians 5:23 states that Christ is the head of the church and savior of the body. Body and church are used to mean the same thing. Christ is head of the body, (Colossians 1:18).

Kingdom is another term to describe the one church. Christ is “Lord of lords and King of kings” (Revelation 17:14). This would also teach that Christ has all authority as does Matthew 28:18. All we do in word [what we teach] and deed [how we live] must be done in the name of the Lord [by His authority] (Colossians 3:17; Acts 4:7).

How can we have a genuine church of Christ today? Succession is in the seed. As long as we have watermelon seed, we will have watermelons. God’s word is the seed for a church of Christ. As long as we have the word of God, the seed “which abideth forever” (1Peter 1:23) we can have the church of Christ.

What does your church call itself? Is it from God’s everlasting seed or mans temporary ideas?

It is hoped you will look up the Bible passages mentioned and read for your own knowledge and edification.