In these days the word “Church” is used very lightly and carelessly. People speak of the “Lutheran Church” or “St. John’s Church” etc. But in the Bible a building is never called “a church”. Such a usage is entirely a human idea. Whenever God speaks in the Bible of a Church, He always refers to the company of people who have been redeemed by the precious blood of Christ. In the epistle to the Ephesians seven names are given to the church. The Body of Christ, One New Man, The Heavenly Family, The household of God, God’s Building, God’s Temple and the Bride of Christ. (Eph. 1:23; 2:15; 3:15; 2:19; 2:19; 2:21, 22; 2:21; 5:32). All these names refer only to the people of God and never to a building.
The Greek word “ekklesia”, which has been translated as “Church”, means “a called out people”. The Lord Jesus said to His disciples: “I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hatter you”. Thus we are a people who have been “called out of the world”, and that is why the Lord calls us “ekklesia”.
The Church of God is compared to a building. You might have plenty of stones and cement, but you would not mix them up in a haphazard way to build a house; you would have a plan prepared by qualified engineers and employ skilled workers to build according to the plan. While the work of construction is going on neither the workmen nor their supervisors would have any right to make alterations in the plan. Likewise in the Church of God the Lord Jesus Christ Who is our Master Architect, has revealed His perfect plan to His servants for building us, who are the “living stones”, into a holy habitation for God; and whereas the servants of God can help and supervise the word of God, they are not authorized to deviate from the heavenly plan. We, who are God’s servants, should take heed that we are faithful to God’s revealed plan and not build according to any earthly plan based upon human wisdom. God is not building according to a “Church of England Plan” or a “Methodist Plan” or any other man-made plan. He has His own perfect plan, which He will reveal to those who are willing to come under His leadership and Lordship.
When Solomon had completed building the Temple in Jerusalem, the glory of God came down and filled it. But that Temple did not last long, for it was destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar. But the Lord Jesus Christ is now building a heavenly Temple which will contain and manifest God’s glory for eternity.
Bethel Cornerstone 