What is Church?

Jesus said, “… on this rock I will build my churchmy church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” Matthew 16: 18

What is Church?

What is Church?

“In Greek circles of Jesus’ day it (the word church) indicated the assembly of free, voting citizens in a city.” Concordia Study Bible

What is Church?

“In the Septuagint (Greek version of the Old Testament) “church” is used for the congregation of Israel.” Concordia Study Bible

What is Church?

Jesus said, “… on this rock I will build my churchmy church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” Matthew 16: 18

What is Church?

“Certainly the Church has not been built upon the authority of a man. Rather, it has been built upon the ministry of the confession Peter made, in which he proclaims that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God.”

Treatise on the Power and the Primacy of the Pope

• God Created• Unstoppable (even by hell)

What is Church?

What is Church?

What is Church?

“Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function… Romans 12: 4

What is Church?

“so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.”

Romans 12: 5

• God Created• Unstoppable (even by hell)

What is Church?

• The Body of Christ• People in Christ belonging to each other

Jesus said, ““… my church”my church”

Questions to Ponder:•What are my hang-ups or baggage with church?•Am I willing to learn about Jesus’ Church over the next few months?•What “gate of hell” or obstacle in my spiritual life would I hope Jesus’ Church might break through?