What does the Bible say about church?
Bible Topic · WEB
The Bible teaches that the church is Christ’s redeemed people, called to worship God, grow in his Word, love one another, and bear witness to the world. Jesus promises in Matthew 16:18 to build his church, which belongs to him and rests on the apostolic gospel. Acts 20:28 shows its great worth, since Christ purchased it with his blood. Believers are one body in Christ, as Romans 12:5 teaches, and are being built together as God’s dwelling in Ephesians 2:20-22. Therefore Christians should gladly gather for worship, encouragement, teaching, prayer, and mutual care, not neglecting fellowship as Hebrews 10:24-25 urges.
Top passages, ranked by readers
Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible
- Matthew 16:18
I also tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my assembly, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it.
- Acts 20:28
Take heed, therefore, to yourselves, and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the assembly of the Lord and God which he purchased with his own blood.
- Hebrews 10:24-25
[24] Let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good works, [25] not forsaking our own assembling together, as the custom of some is, but exhorting one another; and so much the more, as you see the Day approaching.
- Ephesians 2:20-22
[20] being built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the chief cornerstone; [21] in whom the whole building, fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord; [22] in whom you also are built together for a habitation of God in the Spirit.
- Colossians 3:16
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your heart to the Lord.
- Psalms 122:1
> I was glad when they said to me, "Let's go to Yahweh's house!"
- Romans 12:5
so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.
- Matthew 18:20
For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there I am in the midst of them."
- 1 Corinthians 3:17
If anyone destroys the temple of God, God will destroy him; for God's temple is holy, which you are.
Study outline
Curated topical outlines from classic public-domain study works.
Nave's Topical Bible
- (Hebrew: qahal, ’edah; Greek: ekklesia)
- (The people of God; the collective body of believers. (Also, CONGREGATION, ASSEMBLY, THE BODY OF CHRIST.))
- Called COURTS Psalms 65:4; Psalms 84:2; Psalms 84:10; Psalms 92:13; Psalms 96:8; Psalms 100:4; Psalms 116:19; Isaiah 1:12; Isaiah 62:9; Zechariah 3:7
- HOUSE OF GOD Genesis 28:17; Genesis 28:22; Joshua 9:23; Judges 18:31; Judges 20:18; Judges 20:26; Judges 21:2; 1 Chronicles 9:11; 1 Chronicles 24:5; 2 Chronicles 5:14; 2 Chronicles 22:12; 2 Chronicles 24:13
- HOUSE OF THE LORD Exodus 23:19; Exodus 34:26; Deuteronomy 23:18; Joshua 6:24; Judges 19:18; 1 Samuel 1:7; 1 Samuel 1:24; 2 Samuel 12:20; 1 Kings 3:1; 1 Kings 6:37; 1 Kings 7:40; 1 Kings 8:10
- SANCTUARY Exodus 25:8; Leviticus 19:30; Leviticus 21:12; Numbers 3:28; Numbers 4:12; Numbers 7:9; Numbers 8:19; Numbers 10:21; Numbers 18:1; Numbers 18:5; Numbers 19:20; 1 Chronicles 9:29
- HOUSE OF PRAYER Isaiah 56:7; Matthew 21:13
- TABERNACLE Exodus 26:1; Leviticus 26:11; Joshua 22:19; Psalms 15:1; Psalms 61:4; Psalms 76:2; Hebrews 8:2; Hebrews 8:5; Hebrews 9:2; Hebrews 9:11; Revelation 13:6; Revelation 21:3
- TEMPLE 1 Samuel 1:9; 1 Samuel 3:3; 2 Kings 11:10; 2 Kings 11:13; Ezra 4:1; Psalms 5:7; Psalms 11:4; Psalms 27:4; Psalms 29:9; Psalms 48:9; Psalms 68:29; Isaiah 6:1
- ZION Psalms 9:11; Psalms 48:11; Psalms 74:2; Psalms 132:13; Psalms 137:1; Isaiah 35:10; Jeremiah 31:6; Jeremiah 50:5; Joel 2:1; Joel 2:15
- HOLY PLACE Exodus 28:29; Exodus 38:24; Leviticus 6:16; Leviticus 10:17; Leviticus 14:13; Leviticus 16:2-24; Joshua 5:15; 1 Kings 8:8; 1 Chronicles 23:32; 2 Chronicles 29:5; 2 Chronicles 30:27; 2 Chronicles 35:5
- HOLY TEMPLE Psalms 5:7; Psalms 11:4; Psalms 65:4; Psalms 79:1; Psalms 138:2; Jonah 2:4; Jonah 2:7; Micah 1:2; Habakkuk 2:20; Ephesians 2:21; Ephesians 3:17
- MY FATHER’S HOUSE John 2:16; John 14:2
- HOLY Exodus 30:26-29; Exodus 40:9; Leviticus 8:10; Leviticus 8:11; Leviticus 16:13; Leviticus 19:30; Leviticus 21:12; Numbers 7:1; 1 Kings 9:3; 1 Chronicles 29:3; 2 Chronicles 3:8; Isaiah 64:11
- EDIFICES
- See SYNAGOGUE
- See TABERNACLE
- See TEMPLE
- MISCELLANY OF MINOR SUB-TOPICS
- Called THE CONGREGATION in the O. T. (K. J. V. and others) Exodus 12:3; Exodus 12:6; Exodus 12:19; Exodus 12:47; Exodus 16:1; Exodus 16:2; Exodus 16:9; Exodus 16:10; Exodus 16:22; Leviticus 4:13; Leviticus 4:15; Leviticus 10:17
- Called CHURCH in the N. T. (K. J. V.), but CONGREGATION earlier in Tyndale’s translation Matthew 16:18; Matthew 18:17; Acts 2:47; 1 Corinthians 11:18; 1 Corinthians 14:19; 1 Corinthians 14:23; 1 Corinthians 14:28; 1 Corinthians 14:33; 1 Corinthians 14:34; 1 Corinthians 15:9; Galatians 1:13
- Also called ASSEMBLY OF THE SAINTS Psalms 89:7; Psalms 111:1
- BODY OF CHRIST Ephesians 1:22; Ephesians 1:23; Colossians 1:24
- BRANCH OF GOD’S PLANTING Isaiah 60:21
- BRIDE OF CHRIST Revelation 21:9
- CHURCH OF GOD Acts 20:28
- CHURCH OF THE LIVING GOD 1 Timothy 3:15
- CHURCH OF THE FIRSTBORN Hebrews 12:23
- CITY OF THE LIVING GOD Hebrews 12:22
- CONGREGATION OF SAINTS Psalms 149:1
- CONGREGATION OF THE LORD’S POOR Psalms 74:19
- DOVE Song of Solomon 2:14; Song of Solomon 5:2
- FAMILY IN HEAVEN AND EARTH Ephesians 3:15
- FLOCK OF GOD Ezekiel 34:15; 1 Peter 5:2
- FOLD OF CHRIST John 10:16
- GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE FIRSTBORN (people) Hebrews 12:23
- GOLDEN CANDLESTICK (lampstand) Revelation 1:20
- GOD’S BUILDING 1 Corinthians 3:9
- GOD’S HUSBANDRY (farm) 1 Corinthians 3:9
- GOD’S HERITAGE Joel 3:2; 1 Peter 5:3
Showing the first 40 headings of this outline.
Related topics
Go deeper
Ask Explain Bible AI about church and get a fuller answer from a Reformed theological perspective.
Ask what the Bible says about church